Peter Finch gives a brilliant performance as Nelson in this colorful, superbly photographed film. Glenda Jackson gives a fine performance as Lady Hamilton, but Finch stands out in this film, as the central character of focus. Too bad it is not on video or disc 10/10.
6 Reviews
The Nelson Affair
SnoopyStyle8 May 2020
It's 1805. Adm. Lord Horatio Nelson (Peter Finch) has returned to England from fighting the Napoleonic Wars. He intends to rest for several months, not with his wife but with his mistress Lady Hamilton (Glenda Jackson). Meanwhile, his nephew George Matcham visits and gets entangled in the affair. Nelson is beloved but the Lady is not. Pressure mounts as the French and Spanish combined fleet heads towards England leading to the legendary Battle of Trafalgar.
Glenda Jackson seems to be overacting and the wild, drunken character doesn't feel like Lady Hamilton. Although she may be the only one trying to elevate the drama. Everybody else is rather bland. Only a few characters rise above a whimper. As for the climatic battle, they do what they can with the interior work and they don't explain the battle plan for the exterior work. It's old and the intensity is not at the highest. It shows when the people die in that old showy way. It's a costume drama.
Glenda Jackson seems to be overacting and the wild, drunken character doesn't feel like Lady Hamilton. Although she may be the only one trying to elevate the drama. Everybody else is rather bland. Only a few characters rise above a whimper. As for the climatic battle, they do what they can with the interior work and they don't explain the battle plan for the exterior work. It's old and the intensity is not at the highest. It shows when the people die in that old showy way. It's a costume drama.
Well acted drama
scruffythenawtydawg25 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
A well acted drama which for me was more suited to "The Taming of the Shrew" than an accurate representation of Nelson and Lady Hamilton's relationship.
Concentrating entirely on the short time that Nelson spent at home between 2 years at sea chasing the French and leaving for Trafalgar in 1805, the film essentially explores the tensions between the characters arising from his infatuation with Emma Hamilton.
Although, in many ways, well researched, for me the film script lacked authenticity in characterisation and was somewhat contrived. I find it hard to believe that Emma's behaviour would have ever been so extreme in company in spite of her undoubted real life lapses into vulgarity, or that Nelson, whose first thought was always for Country and glory, could ever have considered not going to battle because of her.
The role played by young George Matcham and the final meeting between Emma and Lady Nelson for me were unconvincing and contrived as actual historical events.
If you want a well written, absorbing, well acted drama then this is for you. If your interest lies in the accurate characterisation of real, larger than life, historical figures read a good biography.
Nelson at Home and At Sea
deanofrpps28 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This is three stories in one focused on the character of Lord Nelson: Nelson as seen through the adoring eyes of his nephew George Machin Jr who idolizes him ("Don't make fun of your honor!"); Nelson as seen by his subordinate Captain Hardy ("I know the man asea; the man ashore that's a different matter."); Nelson as seen by his lover Lady Hamilton ("I love him more than I love life itself.") All see what England needs in Nelson differently. Could Nelson live up to any of their expectations? "Maybe," Nephew Machin observes, "we expect a perfect hero to be a perfect saint."
I disagree with many who did not see the portrayal of the three faces of Nelson as less than magnificent.
I disagree with many who did not see the portrayal of the three faces of Nelson as less than magnificent.
A British Patriotic Drama
joelweymouthtais20 February 2023
It has been said that Glenda Jackson.was overacting. Emma Hamilton was crude and vulgar, that characteristic was captured greatly. Historically, she was a tramp and died in poverty after the death of Nelson. The character who played Harding said it best,
England needed a hero not a saint. He had said that Nelson was a great man by both was he did and what he was.
The battle did not show the details, however, Nelsons plans never were that complicated. His approach or "touch" was always to go right at them and break the line of battle and turn the fight into a melee. This tactic was no longer viable with the creation of the dreadnought, and long range guns. Had Nelson lived in 1917, his tactics would have spelled disaster for the British Navy: hence, the tactics were and are irrelevant to the story. The detail of preparation and conduct of a battle in the Victory in the age of sail is quite interesting.
This is an interesting and powerful story of an imperfect man being great. The current list of leaders and politicians are "perfect" men or women, but mediocre and incompetent. I would much rather have a Nelson, than a Biden, or a Lloyd Austin or Mark Milley.
England needed a hero not a saint. He had said that Nelson was a great man by both was he did and what he was.
The battle did not show the details, however, Nelsons plans never were that complicated. His approach or "touch" was always to go right at them and break the line of battle and turn the fight into a melee. This tactic was no longer viable with the creation of the dreadnought, and long range guns. Had Nelson lived in 1917, his tactics would have spelled disaster for the British Navy: hence, the tactics were and are irrelevant to the story. The detail of preparation and conduct of a battle in the Victory in the age of sail is quite interesting.
This is an interesting and powerful story of an imperfect man being great. The current list of leaders and politicians are "perfect" men or women, but mediocre and incompetent. I would much rather have a Nelson, than a Biden, or a Lloyd Austin or Mark Milley.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
