The Picture:
The full screen transfer matches the original broadcast ratio and the transfer itself is very well done. Colors are rich, backgrounds are detailed and no mastering artifacts can be seen. The only flaw is the fact that some of the interior scenes are a touch dark but not so much as to be a problem.

The Sound:
The Dolby 2.0 soundtrack presents the dialogue and music in a very balanced mix that's never distorted. This is an action film so the dialogue could have been lost under explosions and gunfire but care has been taken to assure that every word spoken is crisp and clear. Horatio Hornblower could have benefited from a 5.1 soundtrack but the 2.0 version is so well done that you probably won't have any major complaints.

The Extras:
Each of the four discs has its own extra content. Disc one has a short three-screen biography of C.S. Forester. Disc two features a fun dictionary of nautical terms. Disc three includes an hour-long featurette on the production of the series (really more of an extended advertisement for the program but interesting none the less) and disc four has a show called England's Royal Warships. This last feature was my personal favorite. Hosted by Prince Edward, the program offers a detailed look at both the Napoleonic era British navy and its modern counterpart.

Conclusion:
The bottom line is that you can't go wrong with the Horatio Hornblower series. This is how television should be made. Hornblower is engaging and entertaining throughout and has something to offer every member of the family.