Genre: Action, Adventure, War, Drama, Doctor, Epic, Teenage, Military, Swashbuckler, Sea, Suspense, Spy
Plot: IN THEATRES: NOVEMBER 14, 2003Based 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 honor, 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
More Plot Descriptions
 |
Behind the Scenes:
Read more about the production
| |
 Discussion forum for this movie
|
| |
 For those with any interest in 18th and 19th century seafaring or naval warfare, this is a must-see motion picture. For others, it's an enlightening and entertaining experience, but there's the issue of the slow middle act to overcome. The problem exists, but it isn't insurmountable, and that's the reason I'm recommending the film.  --James Berardinelli (ReelViews)
Russell Crowe and director Peter Weir bring Patrick O'Brian's seafaring adventures to the screen in this glorious and heartfelt action movie for grown-ups.--Stephanie Zacharek (Salon)
"Master and Commander" is grand and glorious, and touching in its attention to its characters. Like the work of David Lean, it achieves the epic without losing sight of the human, and to see it is to be reminded of the way great action movies can rouse and exhilarate us, can affirm life instead of simply dramatizing its destruction.  --ROGER EBERT (Chicago Sun-Times)
But it is Weir's fearsome perfectionism as a director that ultimately brings the script to life with a level of authenticity and attention to detail that is all but unprecedented, evident even in such minutiae as the emulated look of hand-ground 19th century optics in spyglass point-of-view shots. The only letdown comes as the end titles roll and filmgoers discover that they are still on dry land.  --Wade Major (Boxoffice Magazine)
And thus the much ballyhooed and ultra-handsome "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" suffers from what might be called colonitis. It comprises too many equal parts, and they tangle each other up. Everything is important, which comes to mean that nothing is important.--Stephen Hunter (Washington Post)
"MASTER AND Commander: The Far Side of the World" isn't just a fabulous seagoing spectacle. It's one for the ages. Not only does Peter Weir's film give you an atmospheric feel for the agony and ecstasy of early 19th-century sea warfare, it's a rollickinggood story.--Desson Howe (Washington Post)
The cast and crew of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World tackle the subject matter with verve and create a painstakingly accurate picture of life on a 1800s warship. Even when things are dead calm, it's a breathtaking film to behold.  --Kit Bowen (Hollywood.com)
As usual in the Pixar formula, the plot is chock-full of narrow escapes and last-second heroics. But more than anything, it looks as if the filmmakers are having fun.--Stephanie Zacharek (Salon)
In the end, "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" seems fated to disappoint everyone except the slick magazines that put it on their covers.--Stephen Hunter (Washington Post)
Not only does Peter Weir's film give you an atmospheric feel for the agony and ecstasy of early 19th-century sea warfare, it's a rollicking good story.--Desson Howe (Washington Post)
It seems to me the goal of Peter Weir’s “Master and Commander” is to submerge the audience in the world of the early 19th century battleship. Showcasing the cramped living spaces, deafening explosions, and the adolescent nature of some of the crew, I would say, mission accomplished, Mr. Weir. B+--Brian Orndorf (FilmJerk.com)
Peter Weir proves to be quite adept at directing action sequences, ensuring that we always know what's going on and who's doing what. But his need to start the story off with a bang proves to be the weakest element of the film, and proves to be more distracting than anything else. --David Nusair (Reel Film Reviews)
If you’re a fan of Crowe and Weir, you won’t be disappointed. But if you’re a fan of a tight, concise story, you just might be disappointed. But Crowe and Weir are so great that you’ll hardly notice the shoddy story and most likely will be thoroughly entertained.  --Brian Gallagher (MovieWeb)
|
| Directed by |
Peter Weir
The Truman Show, Dead Poets Society, Witness |
 |
|
| Written by |
Peter Weir
The Truman Show, Dead Poets Society, Witness |
| |
|
| Cast |
|
 | |
 | Billy Boyd
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King |
 | James D'Arcy
Exorcist: The Beginning, An American Haunting, Guest House Paradiso | | Chris Larkin
Jane Eyre, Angels & Insects, Hitler: The Rise of Evil | | |
[more] |
|
|
Movie Database
In Theaters
