Rent Master and Commander: The Far Side of The World (2003)

A captivating naval-war epic in the early 19th century, narrated with panache - Master and Commander: The Far Side of The World review by Philip in Paradiso

During the Napoleonic Wars, in the early 19th century, Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) of HMS Surprise is under orders to intercept the frigate, Acheron, a French privateer. Acheron is a heavier ship than HMS Surprise. The game of cat and mouse between the 2 ships takes place over a period of many weeks, around South America, from the coast of Brazil to the Galapagos Islands.

The film is excellent in every respect, in my opinion. The acting is uniformly good and convincing, and the story line is structured well and convincingly. I am not a specialist of the period and naval warfare in the early part of the 19th century, but my impression is that the reconstitution of conditions on board naval ships at the time, and the way that naval battles were fought, is remarkably detailed, accurate and realistic. When watching the film, you really feel that you are on that warship c. 1805. The movie also re-creates the iron hierarchy that exists on a ship very well, showing us very clearly the huge gap between ordinary seamen and officers. The battle scenes are breathtaking and spectacular. None of it ever feels contrived or fake.

Overall, I would say this is a fascinating film if you like this kind of movie. It seems to me that it is a tour de force, if one is going to use a French phrase. You will not be disappointed.

Crowe Nests in Brilliance - Master and Commander: The Far Side of The World review by JD

A swashbuckling full on action drama. The frequent references to the Natural History of the Gallapagos were a bit confusing. In fact most of the plot was a bit soft. Outstanding acting all round but most surprisingly from the younger cast.

Great Historical Adventure Film - Master and Commander: The Far Side of The World review by GI

A stirring and authentic looking historical adventure film adapted from a popular series of novels and the unwieldy title highlights the intention for this to be the first in a series. Low box office despite critical acclaim meant any further films were abandoned. That's a shame because this is great stuff. Taking place during the Napoleonic wars it's set aboard a modest British naval frigate that is searching the Atlantic Ocean along the South American coast for a French warship. Led by Captain Aubrey (Russell Crowe) this has gritty, fast paced battle scenes and recreates the harshness of life aboard a military vessel having to navigate storms and rough seas while hunting for a bigger and dangerous enemy. The French are kept mostly anonymous here with just glimpses of their ship as the cat and mouse game of hunting each other goes on. There's a mid-film interlude at the Galapagos Islands where the ship's surgeon (Paul Bettany) can indulge his passion for natural history. This does slow the film down somewhat but this can be forgiven for the attention to detail that director Peter Weir gives to the representation of life aboard including the ever present danger of accidents, weather and emery action. This is a great action adventure story and Crowe is superb as the fair but determined skipper. If you've never seen this then its worth your time.