Hornblower: The Duchess and the Devil (1999)

In the swirling mist of maritime adventure, the intrepid Hornblower, portrayed by Ioan Gruffudd, finds himself entrusted with a dual mission of immense gravity. He is tasked with escorting a supposed duchess, vivaciously brought to life by Cherie Lunghi, back to the shores of England aboard a Spanish ship he has boldly captured. Simultaneously, he must safeguard top secret documents, hidden precariously in the folds of the duchess' attire. Their journey, however, veers off course as they inadvertently sail into the heart of the Spanish Armada, shrouded in an oppressive fog. Suddenly, they are prisoners, their freedom lost on the unforgiving Spanish seas. As Hornblower's crew begins to doubt him, he grapples with his own suspicions about the true identity of the duchess - an actress masquerading as royalty. In the grim confines of their Spanish prison, Hornblower encounters a familiar face, Kennedy, a once-vibrant companion now reduced to a hollow shell by solitary confinement. Despite the protestations of Hunter, Hornblower must navigate the treacherous waters of imprisonment, plan a daring escape, and unravel the enigma of the duchess, all while maintaining the morale of his beleaguered crew. As he battles adversity, Hornblower finds himself drawn towards the enigmatic duchess, a development that further fuels the simmering doubts among his men. Amidst the intrigue and danger, Hornblower must uphold his duty, protect the vital papers, and find a way to lead his crew back to the safety of England's shores, even as the specter of betrayal looms large. This thrilling tale of courage, deception, and resilience, is a maritime saga that holds you captive till the very end.

Hornblower: The Duchess and the Devil is an action movie featuring Jonathan Coy and directed by Andrew Grieve.

Hornblower: The Duchess and the Devil is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on The Roku Channel.