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Master and Commander is for everyone who has a picture of a three-masted ship in their living room or office, for people who still build models of ships in glass bottles and for those whose idea of adventure is not rocketing to the moon, but boarding another three-masted ship sword in hand. If Errol Flynn, Louis Hayward or Stewart Granger were still alive, they would have packed on a few pounds to be Captain Jack and swashed their way across the screen. However, this is 2003 and Russell Crowe takes the role of Jack Aubrey. This adaptation for the screen of the Patrick OBrian novels is well done. Novelist Patrick OBrian passed away in 2000, but his Jack Aubrey/Stephen Maturin books about life at sea in the early 1800s left a legacy rich in character and detail. That has transferred well to the screen. Here is a man’s film that women will also thoroughly enjoy.

Master and Commander opens with HMS Surprise in the South Atlantic off Brazil. Aubrey is the captain and the ship is in a fog bank. Suddenly, they are fired upon by the French ship Acheron and the Surprise is almost finished before the fog closes again. Aubrey vows revenge, but before he can chase the French ship, (this is during the Napoleonic Wars), the Surprise must be repaired at sea and the crew’s injuries treated. The audience needs a strong stomach to counteract the mind’s tendency to expand upon what is implied. Surgery then was laudanum for pain, a stick to bite on and a sharp saw. 

Aubrey starts to chase the Acheron and around Cape Horn they go. The Galapagos Islands are a place to rest and get provisions, giving the ship’s doctor a chance to study the native plants and insects. It is when the Surprise finally gets the Acheron in sight that the fun begins between two wily, young captains. Somewhat like Gladiator at sea, Aubrey, his crew and ship are the underdogs to the superior French ship of a new design, “The future,” Lucky Jack says. What a chess game this is with men and ships expendable. Who will win the sea game and who will survive the day?

Master and Commander: The Far Side Of The World, is put together from several OBrian novels. The Aubrey character is a bit rotund, so Crowe put on extra pounds and blonde hair for this role. He is a fair commander who carefully chooses words for the occasion. It is a good role for Crowe, but not quite in the Oscar-nomination category. On the other hand, Paul Bettany as the ships doctor speaks his mind at all times. The script allows the audience to get to know the men who live in an enclosed space for months at a time. There is James DArcy as lst Lt. Pullings, who tries his best at his young age. Lee Ingleby is midshipman Hollom, not quite at home at sea as the others. Richard McCabe is Mr. Higgins, a sort of assistant surgeon who reads the doctors books before doing anything, not exactly a vote of confidence. Bonden (Billy Boyd from the Lord of the Rings films) does Coxswain Bonden and Max Pirkis is midshipman Lord Blakeney who exemplifies courage. This was the age of obedience and doing one’s duty. Leaving home meant not seeing friends or relatives for years. The ship became home and the word of the captain law in that enclosed space.

The ship, a replica of the HMS Rose, an 18th century Royal Navy ship, was built in Nova Scotia. Filming took place off the coast of Lower California and in a large tank where James Camerons’ Titanic was filmed. Through the years, the whales in that area must have wondered what in the world was going on. Men building ships and then sinking ships. At least, the whales were safe. The photography by Russell Boyd is spectacular and the storm sequences will have the audience gripping the arms of their chairs. The soundtrack by Iva Davies, Christopher Gordon and Richard Tognetti evokes the mood of the areas the Surprise visits. So, ahoy ye maties, come hither and enter the world of the seaman of 1805 when ships were powered by the wind and science was discovering wingless birds. Director Peter Weir works magic.

Copyright 2003 Marie Asner
Submitted 11/17/03

In 1805, control of the seas was key to the wealth and power of a nation. With rich trade routes and colonies at stake, France and England found themselves locked in a bloody war for control of Europe and the high seas. On board the HMS Surprise, Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) and his crew patrol the waters near Brazil in an effort to keep the French cruiser Acheron from the area.

The Acheron unleashes a devastating attack upon the Surprise that leaves the ship damaged and adrift with several of the crew injured and dead in the process. Aubrey is surprised that the Acheron seems to know exactly where and when his ship would be and tells his senior staff that he is concerned that there may be an information leak in their command structure back home.

Despite this concern, Aubrey decides to peruse the Acheron rather than return to port, knowing he is vastly out-gunned and out-manned by his opponent. In the ensuing story, Aubrey plays a deadly game of cat and mouse with the Acheron and confronts all manners of danger ranging from the weather to doubts amongst his crew regarding their mission.

The film is visually stunning, as director Peter Weir pays very close attention to detail, making the look and feel of the film very authentic. The action sequences are intense and are easily the best depiction of ancient naval engagements ever committed to film. Viewers will feel as if they are a part of the crew as cannon shells and carnage erupt in a symphony of violence and sound that show the true ferocity of the engagements. I was impressed with the detail given to the ships' pattern of maneuvers during combat as the ship battles remain consistent with naval strategies of the time.

The supporting cast is solid, as even minor players are given scenes that help establish them as individuals rather than scruffy masses on the ship. Paul Bettany is outstanding as Dr. Maturin, the ship's doctor and friend to Captain Aubrey. Maturin is the very loyal top captain but would rather study specimens on the tropical islands rather than peruse the Acheron that he confesses what may be a quest to satisfy the ego of the captain. Aside from Weir, what really powers the film is the strong Oscar-worthy performance by Crowe. His portrayal of Aubrey is dynamic and captivating and commands the audience's attention when he is on the screen. Crowe shows once again that he is one of the top actors alive who can power a film to dynamic heights.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is one of the best films of the year and a likely Oscar contender and not to be missed.

Gareth Von Kallenbach 11/22/2003

Peter Weir's new film, Master and Commander, is an old-fashioned sea tale, the likes of which we haven't seen in a while. It stars Russell Crowe as Captain "Lucky" Jack Aubrey, the commander of the HMS Surprise. The Surprise and its 197-member crew have been ordered to intercept and defeat
a French vessel before the latter can reach the Pacific. There, the English whaling fleet would be particularly vulnerable, and its loss might turn the tide in the war between the Crown and Napoleon. The chase begins off the coast of Brazil and continues all the way around the horn to the Galapagos Islands.

The film is based on two of Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander novels.One of the movie's many achievements is that it assumes an intelligent audience as well as viewers who aren't sailors. It never talks down to us but doesn't overwhelm us with sailing terminology, either.

The film is anchored by Crowe's charismatic performance. Say what you want about Crowe's personality and personal life, his acting is always top-notch. Here, he finds the right balance between rugged discipline, friendly bonhomie, and brilliant leadership. He is the perfect sea captain, and you can imagine men sailing with him around the world. Joining him for a 140-minute voyage is just right for landlubbers like us.

The rest of the crew is made up of able character actors. I was impressed at how the movie subtly introduces them and their quirks, and then naturally lets us focus on two in particular--Dr. Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany), the doctor, naturalist and best friend of Aubrey; and the young teenager Lord Blakeney (Max Pirkis). The latter suffers an accident early in the film (the squeamish should know there are a couple difficult surgery scenes). But his growing maturity makes him an inspiring focal point for
the audience.

The star of the film, though, is the ship itself, courtesy of production designer William Sandell. This feels like a real ocean-going vessel. The ship has solidity--nothing computer-generated here--with heavy beams and sails several stories tall. Even the number of ropes that criss-cross the frame is impressive. Contributing enormously is cinematographer Russell Boyd, whose imperceptibly moving camera captures the action. The in-tight shots are particularly impressive, as Boyd puts us right in the middle of things without ever calling attention to himself or breaking the spell. Director and co-writer Peter Weir brings all of the film's elements into harmony. If you're looking for a gripping historical tale that doesn't involve powdered wigs, this movie's for you.   

J. Robert Parks  11/28/2003