Captain Horatio Hornblower (1951)

Terence Morgan: 2nd Lt. Gerard

Quotes 

• Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N : You know why I'm having Hummill flogged, Mr. Gerard?

  2nd Lt. Gerard : I reported him for fighting, sir.

  Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N : I am not having him flogged for fighting, Mr. Gerard. I'm having him flogged because you said in front of the men that you'd flog him. This is a ship of war - as it's captain, I must uphold my lieutenants' authority.

  2nd Lt. Gerard : I understand, sir.

  Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N : Flogging only makes a bad man worse, Mr. Gerard... but it can break a good man's spirit. Is Hummill a bad man?

  2nd Lt. Gerard : Aside from his temper, sir, he's a good sailor.

  Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N : A good sailor, ill-fed and thirsty. Watch the cat as it cuts his back to pieces, Mr. Gerard... and in the future, perhaps you'll think twice before you threaten anyone with a flogging.

• Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N : This ship is getting slack, Mr. Gerard. It's taking you longer every day to clear for action.

  2nd Lt. Gerard : The hands are weak, sir, and...

  Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N : And what?

  2nd Lt. Gerard : Restless, sir. After all, sir, seven months without sighting land.

  Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N : No excuse. You ought to control them...

  Lookout : Land ho! Off the starboard bow!

  Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N : ...An officer who cannot control his men is not reliable.

  2nd Lt. Gerard : Yes, sir. Excuse me, sir, that was "Land ho."

  Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N : I have ears, Mr. Gerard.

  2nd Lt. Gerard : I thought you might be interested, sir.

  Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N : It took you eleven minutes and twenty seconds to clear for action the other day. I want it done in ten. Now!

  2nd Lt. Gerard : Now, sir?

  Capt. Horatio Hornblower, R.N : You seem to have your mind on something else - I said, "Now!"

• [Hornblower informs his officers of the approach of a Spanish ship-of-the-line] 

  2nd Lt. Gerard : A sixty gunner! What do you suppose he's up to?

  Lt. Crystal : We don't clear the bay, I'll wager we're all dead before morning.

  Lt. William Bush : How much can you afford this time?

  Lt. Crystal : Twenty shillings.

  Lt. William Bush : Done! Where shall I send the money if you win?

• Lt. Crystal : Admiral's barge heading our way.

  Lt. William Bush : Hoist the storm warnings. It's Mucho Pomposo himself.

  2nd Lt. Gerard : Who?

  Lt. William Bush : Sir Rodney Leighton, Knight of the Bath, Knight of the Tower, Sword of Portugal. For some extraordinary reason, a rear admiral in His Majesty's Navy.

  2nd Lt. Gerard : Come to claim his lady.

  Lt. William Bush : Pipe the side!