The Duchess and the Devil
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
| The Duchess and the Devil | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Patrick Harbinson (screenplay), C. S. Forester (adapted from the novel Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, chapter "Hornblower, the Duchess, and the Devil" |
| Starring | Ioan Gruffudd |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom USA |
| Original language | English |
| Original release | |
| Release | 1999 |
The Duchess and the Devil is the third episode of the British television series Hornblower. The episode first aired on 24 February 1999 on ITV. The television story is loosely based on C. S. Forester's novel Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, chapter "Hornblower, the Duchess, and the Devil".
Plot
Acting Lieutenant Horatio Hornblower and his men launch a surprise attack on the French supply ship La Reve and capture it.
Back on the HMS Indefatigable, Captain Edward Pellew orders Hornblower to take command of La Reve and sail it to Portsmouth with extremely important despatches. Pellew informs him that they have both been invited to a dinner party hosted by Major General Sir Hew Dalrymple, the Governor of Gibraltar. Among the guests is the widowed Duchess of Wharfedale, whose manner of speaking makes it clear she comes from the lower classes.
After the party, Hornblower is ordered by Pellew to also escort the Duchess home to England. However, before they can reach England, La Reve sails into a Spanish fleet, which was believed to be anchored at Cadiz. Hornblower tries to disguise himself and his crew as French, but an officer aboard one of the Spanish ships knows of the recent capture of La Reve. Hornblower reluctantly allows the Duchess to hide the despatches rather than destroying them.
Hornblower and his crew are housed in a Spanish prison commanded by Don Alfredo de Massaredo. In his cell, Hornblower is reunited with Midshipman Archie Kennedy, who was set adrift by an enemy in "The Even Chance". While Hornblower insists they wait to escape until Kennedy is well enough to travel and they learn more about the Spanish garrison, a hot-headed Midshipman Hunter launches an escape attempt early and fails. With Hunter injured, Hornblower takes the blame for the escape attempt and is punished. Kennedy reveals to Hornblower that the Duchess is an imposter, an actress named Katherine "Kitty" Cobham pretending to be the Duchess of Wharfedale so she could return to England. Shortly after, the Duchess is given passage on the Almeria, a ship sailing to Oporto in neutral Portugal.
On a stormy night, Hornblower and Don Alfredo de Massaredo witness a naval encounter between the Almeria and the Indefatigable, leaving the Almeria on the rocks. Horatio volunteers to rescue the people on board and gives his word that he and his crew will return. Aboard the ship is the Duchess. After rescuing the few Spanish survivors, Hornblower and his crew are picked up by the Indefatigable. Captain Pellew informs Hornblower that, for his bravery in the fire ship attack on Gibraltar, he has been promoted to lieutenant. The Duchess returns the despatches to Pellew. Hornblower asks Captain Pellew to be allowed to return to prison. Though not bound by Hornblower's promise, his men choose to return with him. They are later released by the Spanish government for their bravery in saving Spanish sailors.
Cast
- Ioan Gruffudd as Acting Lieutenant / Lieutenant Horatio Hornblower
- Robert Lindsay as Captain Sir Edward Pellew
- Cherie Lunghi as Katherine “Kitty” Cobham / the Duchess of Wharfedale
- Christopher Fulford as Midshipman Hunter
- Ronald Pickup as Don Massaredo
- Jamie Bamber as Midshipman Archie Kennedy
- Jonathan Coy as Lieutenant Bracegirdle
- John Woodvine as Sir Hew Dalrymple
- Paul Copley as Matthews
- Sean Gilder as Styles
- Jean-Yves Berteloot as Etienne de Vergasse
- Simon Sherlock as Oldroyd
- Vincent S. Boluda as Spanish Lieutenant
- Jolyon Baker as Captain Joubert
- Colin MacLachlan as Master Bowles
