Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. (released in the US without the "R.N.") is a naval adventure movie of 1951 based upon the Horatio Hornblower novels of C. S. Forester. (Specifically, it is based on the first three: The Happy Return, A Ship of the Line , and Flying Colours .)

Hornblower is played by Gregory Peck. With his inimitable screen presence, he portrays a bold, charismatic, but not "charming" hero, as an intelligent but antisocial naval commander. Virginia Mayo plays Lady Barbara Wellesley, while Robert Beatty is Lieutenant Bush.

Like all classic hollywood adventure movies, it features heroism, exciting battles and some personal triumph and tragedy, although with an occasionally introspective tone unusual for an old-fashioned swashbuckler.