grahamsj3 This entire Hornblower series has been stunning. This isn't a mini-serial, but rather separate, stand-alone episodes that are each a prize. The series, based on CS Forsters writings, are about a young Royal Navy officer, Horatio Hornblower. He is perfectly portrayed by Ioan Griffudd. This third installment also stars Robert Lindsay as Capt. Pellew, a man whom I think we'd all love to have as our Captain. The series beautifully portrays the way people of various ranks related to each other during the Napoleonic times. There is some humor and much adventure in every episode. This particular episode also features Cherie Lunghi as the Dutchess of Wharfdale. I love her character, because she's not only "proper", but she has a certain randiness to her as well. All is not as it seems, or so it seems. I believe that everyone had a good time making this episode. The entire series is beautifully done, but this is probably my favorite episode.

TexasRedge If America only knew how good this was,it would be the highest rated Made-For-TV movie series of all time(hard to believe there are more people out there that would rather watch "The Columbo Mysteries" than Horatio Hornblower- that just goes to show the power of major network name-brand advertising.The Hornblower movie series has been television at its finest. I have seen all 6 of the A&E Horatio Hornblower movies,"The Duchess and the Devil" is my favorite of the 6 films. However I tune in to A&E everytime they air a new Hornblower movie. So far all 6 movies have been based on the Horatio Hornblower adventure novels written by C.S. Forester(the same author who wrote African Queen). Each Movie chronicles the on-going adventures of Horatio Hornblower who is a Brittish Lt. in the Brittish Navy during the late 1790's-to early 1800's during the Napoleonic era in Europe. I sincerly believe that each one of these 6 Films has been good enough to have shown at the movie theaters,if the producers had wanted to. Unlike other Made-For-TV films,The Hornblower films do not have that Made-For-TV feeling to them,like most television movies have.A common misconception that people who havent seen these movies have is that all 6 of these films go to gether as a mini-series- that is not true. The Hornblower movies are not a mini-series,all 6 of these films are individual movies about the same charactor- with all the same actors playing the same roles in each film(EXAMPLE:think of the James Bond films-They are not sequels, but they are all about the adventures of James Bond- that same principle applies to the Hornblower movies) I give the entire Horatio Hornblower movie series 5 out of 5 stars. Its Perfect entertainment- but you cant please everyone, so for those of you dont like epic battleship battles,historic style drama,high stakes adventure, and danger on the high seas,if you dont like stuff like that-there is always Columbo re-run for you to watch.

Rahne I thoroughly enjoyed "Duchess", and in fact all of the Horatio Hornblower movies. They were well written, well filmed, and well acted, particularly in the cases of Ioan Gruffud and Jamie Barber (Horatio & Archie Kennedy) who also, I happen to think, are both very attractive. I like the fact that M'Man Kennedy was brought back into the story. Cherie L. was also very good as the "Duchess."

angel-131 Unfortunately for me, I did not get to see the first two "Hornblower" episodes but I did get to see this one. It was certainly wonderful. Ioan Gruffudd was absolutely phenomenal; not only talented but exceedingly handsome to boot! I can't wait till next week when I can enjoy this wonderful miniseries yet again!