Horatio Hornblower: The Duel (TV Movie 1998) - Ioan Gruffudd as Midshipman Horatio Hornblower

[Hornblower and Styles bring Davey into the surgery, with his lower leg shot away. The doctor is treating Lt. Chadd]

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : This man needs help!

Dr. Hepplewhite : I'll attend to him presently.

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : Lt. Chadd, may I inquire as to the nature of your injury, sir?

Lt. Chadd : Splinter.

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : Sir, this man is from my division...

Dr. Hepplewhite : He'll take his turn like all the rest!

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : [shouting] Well, damn it, if he's not seen to now, he'll bleed to death!

Lt. Chadd : Mr. Hornblower...!

[a scream from Davey cuts him off]

Lt. Chadd : ...He's right, Hepplewhite. I can wait.

Dr. Hepplewhite : Very well.

Midshipman Jack Simpson : [after Horatio interrupts his attack on Archie] We were just catching up on old times, Mr. Hornblower.

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : These are new times, Mr. Simpson. You have no hold over us here.

Capt. Forget : [Holding a pistol on Hornblower] The chart and the compass - if you please!

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : [after giving him the chart, Hornblower slowly and deliberately drops the compass overboard] Fish for it!

Capt. Keene : It is a sure opportunity for advancement, for distinction, for prize money!

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : It is the opportunity of a lifetime, sir, and I thank you for it, but...

Capt. Keene : Any ambitious young officer would jump at the chance to serve on a frigate!

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : I know, sir. But you accepted me here as midshipman, and of course I must stay with you.

Capt. Keene : Not many young men would have said that, Mr. Hornblower. I am very touched by your loyalty, even though I won't live to appreciate it.

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : But...

Capt. Keene : No, please don't interrupt! Youth and quick wits belong where they will be rewarded, not on a Channel groper with a dying captain.

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : Sir?

Capt. Keene : A midshipman's share of prize money is not much, I grant you, but at last you can start to repay the debt you owe your father. It is the good of the service I have in mind, Mr. Hornblower... when I insist that you take up this posting.

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : Aye, aye, sir.

Lt. Eccleston : [Lying bleeding under a fallen mast] Where's Mr. Chad?

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : I regret that Lt. Chad is dead , sir.

Lt. Eccleston : [sighing] The ship is yours, Mr. Hornblower.

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : [Incredulously] Sir?

Lt. Eccleston : Take command. Get us back to the Indy...

[Whispering with difficulty]

Lt. Eccleston : ... safely.

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : I maintain the charge against Mr. Simpson, Sir! However, since I cannot prove it other than with my body, I have no choice but to accept his challenge!

Midshipman Archie Kennedy : A duel? Are you mad?

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : Tomorrow see's an end to it, Archie. One way or another I shall be rid of him... I have an even chance.

Midshipman Archie Kennedy : [looks to Clayton and then Horatio] An even chance? Simpson's reckoned one of the best shots in the Navy, he'll kill you certain shot!

Midshipman Clayton : [Horatio looks to Clayton]

[a beat]

Midshipman Clayton : I'll act as your second, of course but... Have you ever fought a duel before?

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : [on the French schooner] Matthews?

Matthews : Aye, sir?

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : You've the longest service, I believe.

Matthews : Aye, sir. Eighteen years, sir.

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : Very well, I'll rate you Petty Officer.

Matthews : [surprised] Aye-aye, sir. Uh...

[salutes]

Matthews : Thank you, sir.

Midshipman Jack Simpson : I'm senior here. The ship is mine.

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : Lieutenant Eccleston instructed me to take command. You heard him, Mr. Bowles.

Master Bowles : Mr. Simpson is senior, Mr. Hornblower.

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : Styles, Matthews, confine Mr. Simpson below.

Master Bowles : Mr. Hornblower...

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : You heard me! Mr. Simpson is under close arrest.

Midshipman Jack Simpson : Who do you think you are! I have command here! The ship is mine! And any man, ANY MAN stands against me... he will regret it. Now get to work shoring up this damage.

[Nobody moves]

Midshipman Jack Simpson : Get back to work, do you hear? I have command!

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : [calmly] Mr. Bowles. You will carry out my orders. If Mr. Simpson resists, you have my permission to shoot him.

[Bowles cocks his gun and aims it at Simpson]

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : [after he and Clayton settle Archie after his first fit] What ails him?

Midshipman Clayton : [Glances at Simpson] What ails us all.

Midshipman Jack Simpson : Now, the point of this inquisition is for me to get to know you better. See, I know these dogs. I know what gnaws at the souls at night, things they're rather no one knew. Now... what's your dirty little secret? A fancier of other boys, perhaps? Or is it... that you mother makes a living on her back?

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : You filthy-

[headbutt]

Capt. Forget : That was a foolish thing to do, boy. I might have killed you.

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : And forgo the pleasure of crowing at my discomfort? I think not.

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : [Running out across the mast, under fire and too high for comfort] Damn, damn, damn!

Midshipman Clayton : [Handing Horatio a flask] There's a drop of Grog in it to warm you through.

[No response]

Midshipman Clayton : Horatio?

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : Death.

Midshipman Clayton : What?

Midshipman Horatio Hornblower : I was thinking on death.

Midshipman Clayton : Whose?