Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Plot

During the Napoleonic Wars, a brash British captain pushes his ship and crew to their limits in pursuit of a formidable French war vessel around South America.

Release Year: 2003

Rating: 7.4/10 (88,519 voted)

Critic's Score: 81/100

Director:
Peter Weir

Stars: Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, Billy Boyd

Storyline
In April 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars, the H.M.S. Surprise, a British frigate, is under the command of Captain Jack Aubrey. Aubrey and the Surprise's current orders are to track and capture or destroy a French privateer named Acheron. The Acheron is currently in the Atlantic off South America headed toward the Pacific in order to extend Napoleon's reach of the wars. This task will be a difficult one as Aubrey quickly learns in an initial battle with the Acheron that it is a bigger and faster ship than the Surprise, which puts the Surprise at a disadvantage. Aubrey's single-mindedness in this seemingly impossible pursuit puts him at odds with the Surprise's doctor and naturalist, Stephen Maturin, who is also Aubrey's most trusted advisor on board and closest friend. Facing other internal obstacles which have resulted in what they consider a string of bad luck,…

Writers: Patrick O'Brian, Peter Weir

Cast:

Russell Crowe
–

Capt. Jack Aubrey

Paul Bettany
–

Dr. Stephen Maturin, Surgeon

James D'Arcy
–

1st Lt. Tom Pullings

Edward Woodall
–

2nd Lt. William Mowett

Chris Larkin
–

Capt. Howard, Royal Marines

Max Pirkis
–

Blakeney, Midshipman

Jack Randall
–

Boyle, Midshipman

Max Benitz
–

Calamy, Midshipman

Lee Ingleby
–

Hollom, Midshipman

Richard Pates
–

Williamson, Midshipman

Robert Pugh
–

Mr. Allen, Master

Richard McCabe
–

Mr. Higgins, Surgeon's Mate

Ian Mercer
–

Mr. Hollar, Boatswain

Tony Dolan
–

Mr. Lamb, Carpenter

David Threlfall
–

Preserved Killick, Captain's Steward

Taglines:
The Courage To Do The Impossible Lies In The Hearts of Men.

Details

Official Website:
UIP France [France] |

Release Date: 14 November 2003

Filming Locations: Fox Baja Studios, Rosarito, Baja California Norte, Mexico

Box Office Details

Budget: $150,000,000

(estimated)

Opening Weekend: €226,929
(Netherlands)
(30 November 2003)
(95 Screens)

Gross: $93,926,386
(USA)
(9 May 2004)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

138 min

Did You Know?

Trivia:

Russell Crowe did most of the violin playing on camera.

Goofs:

Factual errors:
The two insects referred to as 'weevils' during the scene around the Captains Mess table (At 00:34:32) were most certainly not weevils. The insects historically referred to as 'biscuit weevils', at the time, were extremely small and would not have shown up on camera therefore some artistic licence was taken to make the scene work.

Quotes:

[first lines]

Preserved Killick, Captain's Steward:
[taking egg from chicken coop]
Come on, come on. It's all right.

User Review

Masterly and Commanding

Rating:


Few films manage to capture the era in which the original work was set
and often rely on clichés of the particular genre at the expense of the
core story. This film manages to avoid these pitfalls but more
importantly serves as a worthwhile historical document. Anyone who is
new to this period of history will not go far wrong keeping a copy of
this movie as the attention to detail is excellent and adds to the
experience as a whole (teachers take note).

This movie manages to tread a fine line between gritty realism and
Boy's Own, portraying the pursuit of an elite French warship by an
older embattled British frigate. The production values are very high
and the dialogue and length allow the director a better than average
framework for character development. The predominantly unknown British
supporting cast (some aged as young as 12) are expertly handled and
provide a counter balance to the excellent performances of Crowe and
Bettany. Crowe's delivery is very reminiscent of Richard Burton,
exuding a measured screen presence without overpowering the dialogue.

It would have been easy for the director to read through the salty
notes of previous period pieces and deliver the usual tale of ocean
going brutality and scurvy encrusted woe but Peter Weir's version of
order through respect and camaraderie is far more believable especially
when you realize that the sailor's greatest enemy was the ocean itself.

I found little to dislike and much to admire. Highly recommended.