Just finished watching an enjoyable series Horatio Hornblower. Embodies male virtues. Not as breathtaking as M&C, ( series vs. blockbuster cinema budget) but I recommend it for naval dramas.
A masterpiece film. One of two naval themed movies I will drop everything to watch. Crowe and Bettany are superb, but the supporting cast is outstanding as well. Sail on H.M.S. Surprise, and take our poor landlubber dreams of adventure with you!
The movie is brilliant. The books are an incredible portrayal of masculinity and life-long male friendship. They should be required reading for every man.
Not too long after the movie came out I joined the U.S. Navy and served on a frigate (USS Hawes) and it was incredible how little had changed. A small ship of about the same crew size (230 for us, more or less), independent steaming on our own, looking for the enemy in a wide ocean. the daily routine, the ship's bells, the terminology....it was all there. I did ship's navigation so my job was even more traditional. I had to report noon to the captain and ask permission to strike eight bells. We did celestial navigation as a back up in case the electronics got fried. The camaraderie, the friends, the frenemies. I've been told the big ships aren't like that, it's like a city full of strangers. On a frigate you get to at least know everyone by sight. We had a few female officers but the rest of the crew was men. It really did make for a different world. Not always positive or harmonious but in hard situations like vicious weather or dealing with pirates or Iranian Rev Guard attack boats or even prosaic mechanical issues, everyone reacted exactly like you think. We were men. We did the necessary things.
Naturally the movie was very popular on the ship's closed-circuit tv channels, continuous loop practically. One time while it was playing we were off the coast of Virginia in some terrible winter weather. Someone came off watch up on deck while the scene of the Surprise going around the Horn was on. He stopped, looked at the TV on the mess deck, and started ranting. "Why the f**k are we watching this s**t? I just had to do this f**king s**t for six f**king hours!!!"
Hahaha, I first have to admit I'm slightly envious of your experience in the Navy. Thanks so much for sharing! I really don't think all that much changes on the human side- I'm glad that at least in recent memory the HMS Surprise experience was still real. Were there any specific episodes that were uncannily familiar from the movie? "Sir. Might we press you for an.... anecdote?"
I would suggest that a ship on the high seas in time of war is the distillation of a society. All manner of crew from true seaman to those shanghaied from the streets. Those without an education save religious to those born into privilege. The mission becomes the adhesive that binds the team. Amazing movie. Also an argument as to why Hollywood is dying now.
There is definitely a microcosm, Aubrey and Maturin discuss authority and government in the Great Cabin throughout. But you bring up a good point, the 'upper' and 'lower' classes on board support each other in a kind of tension- Aubrey shows great understanding of this in the way he deals with issues in the crew and teaches his officers. The tension is ultimately healthy because it allows the 'classes' to work together. Great point, thanks for the comment!
Great piece—and right on. I have just discovered Frank Furedo here on SS. You are expressing REALLY critical analysis—the reader finds his way back to Woke and then back to the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. You both are talking about Maleness.
Just finished watching an enjoyable series Horatio Hornblower. Embodies male virtues. Not as breathtaking as M&C, ( series vs. blockbuster cinema budget) but I recommend it for naval dramas.
A masterpiece film. One of two naval themed movies I will drop everything to watch. Crowe and Bettany are superb, but the supporting cast is outstanding as well. Sail on H.M.S. Surprise, and take our poor landlubber dreams of adventure with you!
The movie is brilliant. The books are an incredible portrayal of masculinity and life-long male friendship. They should be required reading for every man.
Not too long after the movie came out I joined the U.S. Navy and served on a frigate (USS Hawes) and it was incredible how little had changed. A small ship of about the same crew size (230 for us, more or less), independent steaming on our own, looking for the enemy in a wide ocean. the daily routine, the ship's bells, the terminology....it was all there. I did ship's navigation so my job was even more traditional. I had to report noon to the captain and ask permission to strike eight bells. We did celestial navigation as a back up in case the electronics got fried. The camaraderie, the friends, the frenemies. I've been told the big ships aren't like that, it's like a city full of strangers. On a frigate you get to at least know everyone by sight. We had a few female officers but the rest of the crew was men. It really did make for a different world. Not always positive or harmonious but in hard situations like vicious weather or dealing with pirates or Iranian Rev Guard attack boats or even prosaic mechanical issues, everyone reacted exactly like you think. We were men. We did the necessary things.
Naturally the movie was very popular on the ship's closed-circuit tv channels, continuous loop practically. One time while it was playing we were off the coast of Virginia in some terrible winter weather. Someone came off watch up on deck while the scene of the Surprise going around the Horn was on. He stopped, looked at the TV on the mess deck, and started ranting. "Why the f**k are we watching this s**t? I just had to do this f**king s**t for six f**king hours!!!"
Hahaha, I first have to admit I'm slightly envious of your experience in the Navy. Thanks so much for sharing! I really don't think all that much changes on the human side- I'm glad that at least in recent memory the HMS Surprise experience was still real. Were there any specific episodes that were uncannily familiar from the movie? "Sir. Might we press you for an.... anecdote?"
Lol great reference from said movie ⚓️ let me get through the work week, maybe I'll write up a post on the weekend to accompany your fine article
This movie will never get old. Love it so much.
I would suggest that a ship on the high seas in time of war is the distillation of a society. All manner of crew from true seaman to those shanghaied from the streets. Those without an education save religious to those born into privilege. The mission becomes the adhesive that binds the team. Amazing movie. Also an argument as to why Hollywood is dying now.
There is definitely a microcosm, Aubrey and Maturin discuss authority and government in the Great Cabin throughout. But you bring up a good point, the 'upper' and 'lower' classes on board support each other in a kind of tension- Aubrey shows great understanding of this in the way he deals with issues in the crew and teaches his officers. The tension is ultimately healthy because it allows the 'classes' to work together. Great point, thanks for the comment!
Very true, albeit sad, there’s nothing like combat to forge lifelong friendships and love. It’s an invisible bond that will yield to no one.
I don't think combat is totally necessary though, as I said within I think 'artificial' forms of combat can build similar bonds.
Saw it when it came out. Great movie. Too bad it was not popular enough for a sequel, and a franchise.
While I draw breath, a sequel is always in the works- as soon as ever I have the money to sink into it!
Would be remiss not to mention James Horner's score to Star Trek II...
Big ship, turgid sails blowing in the wind, poop deck full of seamen. What’s not to eroticize !?
Hear him, hear him! Well said every word.
I thank you sir
I absolutely love this movie, the tale, the performances and the cinematography which brings you into the story.
Great piece—and right on. I have just discovered Frank Furedo here on SS. You are expressing REALLY critical analysis—the reader finds his way back to Woke and then back to the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. You both are talking about Maleness.
Thanks for the recommendation! I'll certainly have a look.
I saw it in theater with my then fiancee and future wife. She hated it and fell asleep. That was b4 the reclining seats too.
Unfortunately I was in the 2nd grade in 2003, so I'm banking on someday managing to rent a theater to screen it for me and my crew... we'll see.