HH - Duchess & The Devil
Allright. So, it was last night (Friday). I'm alone. Hubby and daughter away for a week's holiday in Germany. I'm bored. I got a box of chocolates. Nothing on the tv. Time for a DVD. One box with 2 DVD's is always next to DVD player. HH - The even chance & D&D. And as usual D&D is my first choice to see. I love them both, but D&D is my favorite. Basically because it has all and everything I like. First, I'm always in awe of how beautifully the entire series is filmed. Light, the ships, the sea, the action, the playing with dark and light (the scene where Archie has his fit and Horatio wakes him up. :love:) . It all has such warmth about it. It has 2 great quotes in it. "We're here to fight them (the French), aren't we? - Hunter "No, we are here to defeat them" Horatio's reply. I love the way he makes that difference. "How many guns does the Oriental have, Mr Hunter?" - HH "Forty-eight sir." - Hunter "Well, we'll certainly give them a run for their money, won't we, Mr Styles?" - HH "Certainly will, Sir. Take them at least a minute to sink us, Sir." - Styles. I just LOVE Styles. And the sweet smile on his face when he sees Horatio sleeping, just before he has to wake him up to call him on deck for Mr Hunter... :love: Off course there is the wonderfull conversation when Horatio, Hunter and Bracegirdle discuss how Horatio should cut the meat. :grin: It has it's less funny moments.. The look of hate for Archie on Hunter's face, when Horatio squeezes a promiss out of him not to escape just yet. Okay, I don't like Hunter, but he's portrayed in a great way by Christopher Fulford. I love the way how he manages to undermine Horatio. For instance, when he moves away from the window and calmly replíes: "Whatever you say...... Sir." The pauze just long enough to make it an insult. Brilliantly done. One of my favorite moments is off course the scene in the infirmary between Horatio and Archie. Whatever your opinion on the slash stories written, I can understand why a lot of them start just there (and frankly the 'El Ferrol' ones are usually my favorite to read because they are so caring.) I've said it many times before, the chemistry between Ioan and Jamie is just....:cold shower 1 :censored :naughty :faint. But as great as Horatio is, my heart goes out to Archie. He can suffer so wonderfully... :wink: Just makes want to put my arms around him and :hugs. (For starters and then... :censored) Another wonderfull moment is when the Duchess checks in on Archie and Horatio. From the moment she opens the door and exchanges looks between her and Archie to her closing the door and Horatio waking up... Sublime! One scene played out without a word being said, just by expression and body language. I like D&D because it shows the many sides of Horatio. The cleverness he has in 'defeating' the French and trying to escape from the Spanish. How he cares for Archie and tries to coax him back to appreciate life again. How jokes completely escape him... How he can so shy around the Duchess, but also manages to regain his sense of humor ("If your grace would be so kind."comes to mind) His courage when he steps in front of the Don's gun to stop him from shooting Hunter. His desperation in the oubliette. (Oh, Ioan suffers as gracefully as Jamie does... :twisted: ) Off course there's Archie, always delicious to look at! Pellew, Styles, Oldroyd, Matthews, Bracegirdle, all there. Yes! Definetely my favorite episode!

I have to agree with you Sylviane that D & D is wonderful and has all the elements necessary for a perfect drama. For a moment, I'll think that is my favorite Hornblower episode and then I look at The Duel/Even Chance and think, no I just love seeing Horatio arrive wet and bewildered, suffering under Simpson, losing his two closest friends and feeling responsible and finally standing up to Simpson. I guess that's why, like you, D & D and The Duel are the most frequent Hornblower DVD's in my player. Love your description of D & D. Gaffer's Girl

Re: HH - Duchess & The Devil
Yay for Horatio! D&D is definately my favorite as well! From the very beginning when he goes to the fancy dinner. He is so nervous its just adorable! "How many guns does the Oriental have, Mr Hunter?" - HH "Forty-eight sir." - Hunter "Well, we'll certainly give them a run for their money, won't we, Mr Styles?" - HH "Certainly will, Sir. Take them at least a minute to sink us, Sir." - Styles. I just LOVE Styles. I love Styles too! He never got very high on the polls for fave. character but he is so great! I think his character is responisible for most of the "comic relief" moments! There is a scene in the jail (the exact quote escapes me) after they have tried to escape when Matthews says something like "you know he would have gotten us out of here" Horatio has become a hero in his eyes and this is the first time I noticed him voicing his faith. Also when Archie never flinches when he agrees to return to the prison with Horatio even after all the horror he suffered there. Horatio inspires such faith in those men! Oh and of course when the Duchess touches Horatios cheek and he gets that look in his eyes...Siiiigh. I like D&D because it shows the many sides of Horatio. The cleverness he has in 'defeating' the French and trying to escape from the Spanish. How he cares for Archie and tries to coax him back to appreciate life again. How jokes completely escape him... How he can so shy around the Duchess, but also manages to regain his sense of humor ("If your grace would be so kind."comes to mind) His courage when he steps in front of the Don's gun to stop him from shooting Hunter. His desperation in the oubliette. (Oh, Ioan suffers as gracefully as Jamie does... :twisted: ) Absolutly. He is appears more human in D&D. Seeing him experience all of these emotions: fear, despair, courage, leadership, and of course a bit desire! Yes! Definetely my favorite episode! Yes! brilliant! Yay Ioan.

I just bought the 8 disc series but I don't have a DVD in it called "The even chance"?? Is that the name of one of the disc or is that one maybe in another DVD set?? Just curious. Don't want to miss any HH dvds, LOL!! :)

The Even Chance is called The Duel in some versions. If you have the duel then it is that one.

I think The Even Chance is called The Duel in the US box set. Your 'Fireships' is our 'Examination for Lieutenant' and your 'The Wrong War' is our 'The Frogs and the Lobsters'. I think the others have the same titles, but they're all the same films, Cherry! Unfortunately there were only ever eight :weeping

I want mo-o-o-re!!! I'm hungreeeee!!!

Then, do what alot of us do, and write your own, painajainen :wink: It's good for the.......ah, soul........believe me.

"The Lost Adventures of Horatio Hornblower..." what, my dear soul, it's working? It's working!