Horatio Hornblower
Chasing the Papillon
by
Horatio Hornblower brings C. S. Forester’s naval hero to radio in stories of life and duty at sea during the Napoleonic Wars. Hornblower is a capable but inwardly self-questioning officer whose courage, judgment, and sense of responsibility are tested by the demands of command.
The program presents maritime adventure as dramatic storytelling, with naval action and the practical pressures of shipboard life at its center. Its world includes officers and sailors working within a strict hierarchy, where decisions made at sea can carry serious consequences. The title “Chasing the Papillon” points to a pursuit at the heart of this installment.
The appeal lies in the contrast between the scale of naval conflict and Hornblower’s private doubts. Rather than portraying a flawless hero, the stories make room for uncertainty, discipline, and hard-won resolve, giving the adventures both suspense and a thoughtful human dimension.
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.