Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Plot synopsis:
The film takes place in 1805, during the Napoleonic Wars. Captain Aubrey of the British man-of-war HMS Surprise is ordered to pursue the French privateer Acheron and "burn, sink or take her a prize." As the film opens, Surprise midshipman Hollom briefly spies a dark shape in a fog bank. After some hesitation, the call to beat to quarters is given. Aubrey and the other officers at first see nothing, but the Surprise soon comes under attack by the Acheron. The British warship is heavily damaged and its rudder destroyed, while its own shots fail to penetrate the Acheron's hull. The crew tows the Surprise into the fog, where it evades its pursuer.Aubrey learns from a crewman who saw the Acheron built in America that due to a cutting-edge design, the privateer is heavier and faster than the Surprise. The senior officers consider the ship out of their class, and such a ship could tip the balance of power in Napoleon's favor. Rather than return to port, Aubrey orders a refit at sea while they pursue the Acheron. The Acheron once again ambushes the Surprise, but by using a decoy the ship manages to escape in the night.Following the privateer south, the Surprise rounds Cape Horn. In the high winds the topmast breaks, throwing a popular crewman into the water. Aubrey is forced to leave the man to his fate, lest the wreck sink the Surprise. The ship heads to the Galapagos Islands, where Aubrey is sure the Acheron will want to prey on Britain's whaling fleet. The ship's doctor, Maturin, is interested in the isle for the strange creatures claimed to reside on the isles. Aubrey promises his friend that he will have several days to explore the islands.When Surprise reaches the Galapagos they recover the survivors of the whaling ship Albatross, destroyed by the Acheron. Realizing the ship is close, Aubrey hastily pursues the privateer, ordering a departure from the Galapagos. Maturin feels that Aubrey is going back on his word, and is following the Acheron more out of pride than duty. During their pursuit, the Surprise is becalmed. The heat and lack of water lead the crew to believe there is a Jonah aboard someone who is bringing the ship bad luck. Hollom is singled out as the source of the bad luck, and his popularity with the crew plummets; the ship's carpenter's mate openly insults Hollom by failing to salute, and is condemned to a flogging. It is revealed in a deleted scene that the crew's sympathies lie with the carpenter and not Hollom, who later commits suicide by jumping into the ocean clutching a cannon ball. After a memorial service for Hollom, the wind picks up, followed by a downpour of rain, and the pursuit continues.One of the ship's Marines, attempting to bring down an albatross, accidentally shoots Maturin, who quickly loses consciousness. The surgeon's mate informs Aubrey that the bullet dragged a piece of the doctor's shirt inside his abdomen and must be removed or it will cause a deadly infection. The surgeon's mate states that the operation should be performed on solid ground. Despite closing in on the Acheron, Aubrey turns around and takes the doctor back to the Galapagos. Maturin performs surgery on himself using a mirror and removes the bullet and piece of shirt.Having relented his pursuit of the Acheron, Aubrey grants Maturin the chance to explore the island before they head for home. On crossing the island looking for a species of flightless cormorant, the doctor discovers the Acheron, anchored in a bay on the island's opposite side. Abandoning his specimens to make it back quickly, Maturin warns Aubrey, and the Surprise readies for battle. Due to the Acheron's sturdy hull, the Surprise must get in close to deal damage. After observing the deceptive qualities of one of Maturin's specimens a stick insect Aubrey has the idea to disguise Surprise as a whaling ship, assuming the French, in their greed, would close to capture the ship rather than destroy it outright. The French take the bait and the Surprise pulls alongside the frigate, destroying her mainmast. Aubrey and Pullings lead boarding parties across the wreckage. With the help of whalers freed from the Acheron's brig, the French ship is taken. Looking for the French captain, Aubrey is directed to the sickbay, where the French doctor tells him his captain is dead. The doctor offers Aubrey the captain's sword.The Acheron and Surprise are repaired. While the Surprise will remain in the Galapagos, Pullings is promoted to Captain and charged with sailing the captured ship to Valparaiso. As the Acheron sails away, Maturin mentions that a French crewman had told him that their doctor had died months ago. Realizing the Acheron's captain tricked him by dressing as the doctor, Aubrey gives the order to beat to quarters and escort the Acheron to Valparaiso. Maturin is again denied the chance to explore the Galapagos. Aubrey wryly notes that since the bird Maturin seeks is flightless, "it's not going anywhere", and the two begin to play Luigi Boccherini's "La Musica Notturna Delle Strade Di Madrid No. 6, Op. 30" on cello and violin as the crew assumes battle stations.

Tags: dramatic, action, historical, boring

Review:
"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" is half swashbuckling action movie, half detailed examination of life in the 19th-century British navy, and all entertaining.
Director Peter Weir has created an intriguing film that nicely balances fierce battle sequences with quiet, intimate scenes.Nearly all of the film takes place aboard the HMS Surprise, under the command of Captain "Lucky" Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe).
Rather than casting good-looking Hollywood types as crew members, Peter Weir went after people who look like believable seamen who are also great actors in their own right.
Excellent performances by Crowe and his doctor right-hand-man played by Paul Bettany only add to the thrill.The film also has a great original and non-original score which makes it flow perfectly.
Pirates of the Crappy Be-in was a cute romp, but Master and Commander has real ships, real crews, real cannon,convincing characters, historical accuracy and a REAL film director.Director/ Peter Weir (Witness) has returned big time and, with this one film, revived classic Australian realism, actually surpassing the production values of Peter Jackson's Ring Trilogy.
His style is very compromising and clean, you are not surprised by originality, but you can enjoy the professional touch he has in his work.Another Australian, Russell Crowe is also a professional, but has some weak points in his acting, mainly caused by certain machismo he desperately tries to maintain in all his characters.Rest of the cast was unfamiliar to me and I had not read any Patrick O'Brian books.
But the sea itself, tall ships and the Napoleonic Wars are of course great elements to base the story on, especially for a amateur war historian and summertime sailor like me.I was surprised, how truly good Master and Commander was.
One of the best things in Master and Commander is the heartwarming friendship between these two characters.It's like Weir and Crowe were born and trained to do this movie.
The guns and cannons look like artifacts to the modern viewer, but they're also well-kept and shiny.The dialog is fantastic, tooI can't remember exact quotes, but when Crowe gave some of his powerful, rallying speeches to the crew, I was ready to climb the mast myself.This movie is an incredible addition to the action/adventure/historical genre.
'MASTER AND COMMANDER' did that, and even if you play the DVD on a plain TV, you would still marvel at the realism of the sound.Finally, unlike every other sea movie that preceded it, the special effects were seamlessly integrated into the real footage of the ships at sea.
I also remember feeling embarrassed as a teenager buying a ticket for a movie with such a florid title as 'Master and Commander: Far Side of the World' and Russell Crowe on the poster looking like a butch sailor with an unbuttoned uniform staring wistfully off into the future.
As a film it rates right up there with Captain Horatio Hornblower which starred Gregory Peck and Damn the Defiant with Alec Guinness, a couple of films I liked very much.Russell Crowe completely fits my conception of Patrick O'Brian's Napoleonic naval hero 'Lucky Jack Aubrey'.
The books have been best sellers for years and this is Jack Aubrey's first screen appearance.The film opens with Crowe in command of a ship that's just seen a lot of action and it's not in the best of shape.
The action takes place in 1805 right after the Battle of Trafalgar and the United Kingdom is still keeping a lot of ships close to home.Crowe is nothing short of outstanding as Aubrey the charismatic captain of this vessel.
He gets good support from the rest of the cast, my favorites being ship's surgeon Paul Bettany and Max Pirkis as the young midshipman who Crowe takes a fatherly interest in.In a sense the character's nickname of 'Lucky' is a misnomer.
From the standpoint of the story and cast, Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey is the ultimate star of Master and Commander.
It was very well deserved.Based on Patrick O'Brian's novels about Aubrey's adventures, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World follows the Surprise, as it battles the Acheron, a superior U.S.-made ship in Napoleon's navy.
Captain Jack "Lucky Jack" Aubrey (Russell Crowe) of the Royal Navy commands the HMS Surprise , he fought with Admiral Nelson on Nile and is under orders of British staff to capture the three-masted French privateer Acheron, which has sunk several vessels .
The battle scenes are great, but what makes this more than simply an action entertainment are the discussions and interactions between Aubrey and Maturin that are at the heart of the film.
Music plays an essential role here; I know some people who remember this movie mostly for its music.Breathes there a man with soul so dead, yea even a landlubber, who is not stirred when the drums start beating and the Surprise heads out in pursuit of the Acheron?This was a staggering undertaking and fortunately all the effort paid off in producing a wonderful film..
All the cast are exceptional, not least Crowe and Bettany, who create real characters of true warmth, integrity and charisma.If I ever won the lottery I would build myself an IMAX screen just so I could watch this movie on it all day.
I'd categorize it as part of the "drama set on the high seas" genre."Master & Commander" isn't what I'd call a "chick flick" (whatever that is), but it's as close as you can get for a movie with about .08 minutes of total female screen-time.
I love the entire supporting cast, from the complaining Captain's steward, to the grouchy old George Innis seaman characterI could go on and on, they're all brilliant.The overall particularly stand-out performances in my mind are: Russell Crowe, who provides such a performance of depth, as always, that it made me wonder what's really going on inside the mind of Jack Aubrey.
This is a film that holds its own by pulling you into its atmosphere with masterfully developed characters, beautiful photography, fantastic ship battles, good score, and surprisingly fine acting.
Just unexplored boundless ocean, people on the certain ship and that's it.Peter Weir is a director who has made lots of very good but different from each other movies (worth to mention among them Dead Poets Society, The Witness, and The Truman Show).
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is directed by Peter Weir, it stars Russell Crowe as Jack Aubrey and Paul Bettany as Stephen Maturin.
The film takes place during 1805, during the Napoleonic Wars and finds Captain Jack Aubrey and the crew of British frigate HMS Surprise ordered to intercept, destroy or take as a prize the French privateer Acheron.
Except for an interlude spent on the lusciously filmed Galapagos Island (Russell Boyd Best Cinematography Academy Award Winner), the film is set 99% of the time out at sea, on a cramped ship, this tells you that Weir is interested in telling a character driven story, cloaked in realism, above all else.The teaming of Weir with the highly rated O'Brian material looked a good one, and to someone like me who has never read an O'Brian novel?
Crowe peels off each layer and delivers a high quality performance; from our first encounter with Crowe as Aubrey, the realism so loved by Weir is given a shot in the arm; and it stays throughout the movie.An excellent piece of casting then, as is that of Paul Bettany as ships surgeon, science and nature lover, and best pal of the Captain, Stephen Maturin.
I put this DVD into the player simply looking for some light afternoon entertainment, but instead found a really good movie...The scene for this movie is set rather quickly, as a British frigate (HMS Surprise) captained by "Lucky" Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) is stalked by a larger and faster French warship, in the treacherous seas off South America.
The year is 1805.After setting the scene, director Peter Weir concentrates on character development and we get to know Captain Aubrey and some of his crew, and become aware of the friendship (and at times conflict) between the captain and the ship's doctor (Paul Bettany).
The other central character is Blakeney (Max Pirkis), a young and likable Midshipman.The story traces the voyage of the HMS Surprise as it sails down the coast of South America, via the picturesque Galapagos Islands, and tension steadily mounts as the movie reaches a climax with the final sea battle.Other excellent movies directed by Australian Peter Weir include Dead Poets Society and The Truman Show..
The plot of Master and Commander: the Far Side of the World is actually fairly bland - upon reflection, there doesn't seem to be any way that such a plot could flesh out to a 138 minute picture; thus it is so that the interaction between the men on the ship, and the refreshing absence of female romantic interests, is what makes the movie truly engaging.
I'm not a huge fan of Russell Crowe but when it came to 'Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World', I was able to put aside his thuggish behaviour in real-life as I was swept away by the excellence of the film and his brilliant depiction as valiant Captain Jack Aubrey.I haven't read any of the Patrick O'Brien novels, on which this film is based upon, but I imagine most fans of his work will be pleased by this adaptation as it's clear much effort has gone into preserving details, from the close fraternal bond between Aubrey and the ship's physician Marutin to the depiction of the tactics used to win in battle to the child crew who serve aboard the ship.
And for me, Master and Commander is not only one of his best, but also one of the best period epics from the last few years.Based on a novel written by Patrick O'Brian, it follows Captain Aburey and his ship HMS Surprise, as it does battle with a French ship in the South Pacific and the South Seas...There are many reasons why this movie works so well.The casting is spot-on.
It's to Bettany's credit that he more than holds his own against Crowe, making their relationship believable.The supporting cast, are all impressive, but special mention I think has to go to Max Pirkis as Blakely, one of the boy officers on the ship.The script by Weir and John Collee gives the actors plenty to work with.
Most of all  the impenetrable language (toned down for the movie) sets you amid the detail in a totally vivid completely & alien world which you can nevertheless relate to as these men built the world we live in nowFor a movie fans point of view Peter Wier maybe went to far slavishly adapting the books, but give the guy a break, look at his track record (TRUMAN SHOW etc) If I were a producer I'd let him do whatever he wants with whatever budget.From an O'Brian fans point of view this is much better than anyone could reasonably expected and I can only say to those that enjoyed MASTER AND COMMANDER that if more come in the series in the same vein (wait until you see the various wives and families, the damn Yankees, the battles in the south atlantic, the adventures in the Indian Ocean, the spy plots in France and London, the feasts) you're in for a real treat.Note  this is an adaption of two novels  Master and Commander, and The Far Side of the World (hence the title) & enemy ship in The Far Side of the World is actually an american ship :-).
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.
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.
After LA CONFIDENTIAL, GLADIATOR, and A BEAUTIFUL MIND, I believe that he can even tackle the ultimate macho role: 007 (Move over, Pierce).The most pleasant surpise that I found throughout the film occurred within the reunion between Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany (Dr. Stephen Maturin) as they played the two main characters.
20th Century Fox, Miramax Films, Universal Pictures:Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.**Russell Crowe** **Paul Bettany **Edward Woodall** **James D'Arcy**Directed by Peter Weir.
This film is not just a masterpiece of its genre, but a time machine that takes you there in fact.Every moment of Master and Commander is informed with feeling and thought that is so true to real life that it sets a new standard for the art of movie making.
Do check this out if you like Russell Crowe-giving another fine performance, Naval sea-battles, Errol Flynn movies, or just plain old well mounted, intelligently made, written and acted epics.
Truth is Peter Weir has made some good efforts over the years at making a great movie and in my opinion has not really made one...oh I hear the groaning and to some degree I agree...Dead Poets Society was pretty close to the mark but I don't share the  general enthusiasm for The Truman Show and...well that is all past and "Commander" is now and it is a hand full.Running two hours and eighteen minutes it passes the true test of such length movies...it passed very quickly!There will be plenty said about Russel Crowe, and as much as I detest his too much macho off screen persona, I got to give it to him the man can play the role of a hero.But the award winners of this piece are a really neat young fellow named Max Perkis who plays Midshipman Blakney and for a fact steals the show.
Performances are excellent throughout and Russel Crowe will certainly be put in Oscar contention for his role as Aubry.I think some may criticize some of the pacing of the movie but I think it captures the fact that life on a ship like this was sometimes boring, fun and very dangerous for short periods of time.If I only have a one criticisms of the movie the are for the lack of exposition on Dr. Maturin.
Meanwhile his confidante, the ship's surgeon (Paul Bettany), questions his stubborn decision to continue the pursuit.There's no doubt that Master and Commander is a handsome film (beautifully photographed by Russell Boyd) and a great deal of effort has gone into faithfully recreating 19th century shipboard life.
There is much to admire about Peter Weir's adaptation of the British sea voyage novels, "Master And Commander: The Far Side of the World".
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World tells the story captain "Lucky" Jack Aubrey.
Master and Commander brings to the screen Pat O'Brien's epic of Captain 'Lucky' Jack Aubrey's (Russel Crowe's) hunt for the privateer Acheron.
Nearly all of the film takes place aboard the HMS Surprise, under the command of Captain "Lucky" Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe).
He provides a grounding force for the captain, and the friendship between these two dissimilar men is the emotional heart of the story.I've yet to read any of the Patrick O'Brian series upon which "Master and Commander" is based, but the movie shows every evidence of being derived from a painstakingly and meticulously detailed work, one which has gone to great lengths to re-create the world and environment of these men.
He provides a grounding force for the captain, and the friendship between these two dissimilar men is the emotional heart of the story.I've yet to read any of the Patrick O'Brian series upon which "Master and Commander" is based, but the movie shows every evidence of being derived from a painstakingly and meticulously detailed work, one which has gone to great lengths to re-create the world and environment of these men.
It's a place where both close friendships and deep resentments can grow, and the tension in the air at times feels like a living presence.Crowe dominates the production, once again proving himself one of the best leading men working in movies.
It's a place where both close friendships and deep resentments can grow, and the tension in the air at times feels like a living presence.Crowe dominates the production, once again proving himself one of the best leading men working in movies.
Most of the rest of the crew tends to blur together (the exceptions include a young officer who's right arm gets amputated early on, and later takes command of the ship), but "Lord of the Rings" fans will be amused to notice Billy Boyd among the ranks.The combination of action and introspection in "Master and Commander" at times seems like an odd mix, but the film succeeds on both levels.
Most of the rest of the crew tends to blur together (the exceptions include a young officer who's right arm gets amputated early on, and later takes command of the ship), but "Lord of the Rings" fans will be amused to notice Billy Boyd among the ranks.The combination of action and introspection in "Master and Commander" at times seems like an odd mix, but the film succeeds on both levels.
And your commander is Jack Aubrey, played with stunning realism by Russell Crowe.Based on the novel by Patrick O'Brian, Master and Commander begins right in the middle of the action.