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.

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.

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.