Ah, I tried to watch Hornblower, but I only managed the first three episodes. I don't know why it just didn't do it for me - it should have! Maybe it was because I'd tried the books first, and Hornblower himself is such a Mary Sue in them that they gave me a prejudice against the TV version.

Yes, the Mutiny on the Bounty film is awful in terms of nuance and accuracy. Poor Bligh's fault was more like indecision than tyranny, and he might even have done better if he could have been harsher but more steady/predictable, so that his crew could learn how to work around him. But all mutinies are probably fascinating, because humans are, in general, very good at regulating power structures so that they don't break down - so something very out of the ordinary has to be happening if they do.

*g* I've often thought that I wasn't really very Romantic, because I know exactly what you mean. Have an emergency unicorn as well.