Master And Commander - The Far Side Of The World
(2003)
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Based on a series of books by Patrick O'Brian, and directed by Peter Weir, MASTER AND COMMANDER plunges viewers deep into the story of a British Navy ship at sea during the Napoleonic war. Russell Crowe stars as Aubrey, the charismatic captain who wrestles with issues like honour, pride, duty, sacrifice and loyalty while using ingenious tactics to engage his prey--a much larger and better-equipped French Man o' War. Paul Bettany plays his friend, the ship's doctor, who cautions Aubrey about letting revenge cloud his judgement after the French Man o' War almost sinks them in an early battle. Before the incredibly intense final skirmish the men battle a raging storm, launch an excursion to the Galapagos Islands, find time for grog-enhanced merriment, and endure some primitive surgery. Weir fills the film with a rich wealth of period detail, convincing dialogue and the same haunting, dreamlike mood that has informed his best films, like PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, THE LAST WAVE and THE TRUMAN SHOW. The wealth of sounds and sights on display are so evocative one can practically smell the salt air and feel the heave of the ocean beneath their seats. Russell is intense and inspiring as Aubrey and Bettany proves a worthy match. MASTER AND COMMANDER is another triumph for Weir, and further evidence of his ability to fuse poetic realism with rousing entertainment. |
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Like the much-loved series of novels by Patrick O'Brian, to which this adaptation will no doubt be scrupulously compared, Peter Weir's film immerses the audience in the day-to-day life on board a 19th-century British warship as it pursues a “phantom” French vessel with the avowed intent of sending her to Davy Jones's locker. Purists will endlessly discuss the casting of Russell Crowe as Captain Aubrey (here deploying his self-described “RSC two pints after lunch” English accent) and Paul Bettany as his ship's doctor and best friend, Maturin, but both give full-blooded performances. Although the battle sequences are impressively chaotic, the fanatical attention to detail does scupper the plot which threatens to become distinctly soapy as the two ships engage in an almost endless, molasses-slow chase.
Halliwell's Film Guide
Handsome drama of derring-do on the high seas that brilliantly recreates the horror of battle, as cannonballs splinter ships and crush limbs, but also finds time for quieter, reflective moments.