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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 Na...Read more
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Excellent Period Action Movie
by:gouruguay
If you are a fan of the high seas and period movies, this movie should be a must for you. I never read the Jack Aubrey books by Patrick O'Brian so I cannot compare the silver ...Read more
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) Location:USA
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![MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD [WS] [DVD NEW]](http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/m/mQ08ipmgO5o3zfxDrN0TBug/140.jpg "MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD [WS] [DVD NEW]")
Movie synopsis
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 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 another triumph for Weir, and further evidence of his ability to fuse poetic realism with rousing entertainment., 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 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 judgment 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, such as 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. 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.
Product Details
- Edition: Widescreen
- Number of Discs: 1
- Rating: PG-13 (MPAA)
- Film Country: USA
- UPC: 024543114215
| Additional Details | |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Format: | DVD |
| Region: | Region 1 |
| Display Format: | Widescreen |
Credits
| Director: | Peter Weir |
| Leading Role: | Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany |
eBay Product ID: EPID6470003
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Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan (11/14/2003) New York Times - A. O. Scott (11/14/2003) Entertainment Weekly - Lisa Schwarzbaum (11/21/2003) Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (11/27/2003) Sight and Sound - Leslie Felperin (12/31/2003) USA Today - Mike Clark (11/14/2003) Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (12/21/2003) Movieline's Hollywood Life - Stephen Farber (02/01/2004) Uncut - Adam Sweeting (01/01/2004) Ultimate DVD - Ultimate DVD Staff (05/01/2008) |
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Excellent Period Action Movie
Created: 23/01/10
) If you are a fan of the high seas and period movies, this movie should be a must for you. I never read the Jack Aubrey books by Patrick O'Brian so I cannot compare the silver screen adaptation to the book. However, I can rate the movie on its own merits and it is superb. Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany have incredible chemistry together, one playing the aforementioned Captain Aubrey and the latter playing the ship's doctor Stephen Maturin. While the pragmatic Aubrey is driven by an unwavering sense of duty to King and Country (that is England during the Napoleonic Wars)his work is always kept in check by the more idealistic Dr. Maturin. However, at the end they bring balance to the mission at hand.
Both actors do a fantastic job specially Bettany, bringing a touch of gravitas to every scene. The rest of the cast are also outstanding and they complete rather than detract from the movie. Of course, if you are a fan of Russell Crowe you won't be disappointed, because it is a small ship and he is always around. But in my opinion he is one of the finest actors out there; so hey, it's like butter, the more Crowe the better.
The directing by Peter Weir is as excellent. And it feels that he gives the other actors their due part, but remember that the main plot of the movie is the Aubrey/Maturing interaction.
Finally, I have to say that one of the unsung heroes of this movie (like any other movie) are the costume and set designers. It actually feels you are on a boat with the crew. Whether life in a English War Ship in the early 19th century was as portrayed in the film, well I don't know, but I am willing to bet that it was pretty darn close.
It is a movie that for some (as it was for me) might take a few passes to get the feel for it but when it does it will be on the top of your list.
Both actors do a fantastic job specially Bettany, bringing a touch of gravitas to every scene. The rest of the cast are also outstanding and they complete rather than detract from the movie. Of course, if you are a fan of Russell Crowe you won't be disappointed, because it is a small ship and he is always around. But in my opinion he is one of the finest actors out there; so hey, it's like butter, the more Crowe the better.
The directing by Peter Weir is as excellent. And it feels that he gives the other actors their due part, but remember that the main plot of the movie is the Aubrey/Maturing interaction.
Finally, I have to say that one of the unsung heroes of this movie (like any other movie) are the costume and set designers. It actually feels you are on a boat with the crew. Whether life in a English War Ship in the early 19th century was as portrayed in the film, well I don't know, but I am willing to bet that it was pretty darn close.
It is a movie that for some (as it was for me) might take a few passes to get the feel for it but when it does it will be on the top of your list.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our Wooden Boats
Created: 10/01/09
) Having built 3 small wooden boats, I had more than a passing interest in seeing the movie which I did at the theater. One day I was in a major book retailer and saw a collection of books - the spines of which made up a portrait of beautiful ships of the line in battle - I looked at the titles and realized that Master and Commander was the first of 21 books written by Patrick O'Brien and bought the second Post Captain and read it and loved it too.
I went on line and found all the 21 books available in a 5 book boxed set hard cover for a fraction of the total cost of buying them individually. The total pages for all is 6600 pages. I read them all and then bought the DVD and watched it again and realized that is twas a compilation of snap shots taken from several of the books, principally Master and Commander and On the Far Side of the World.
When I started reading the books, I skipped the first, Master and Commander believing that I had no need to read it as I had seen the movie. After reading all the books save the first, I watched the movie and then went back and read the first Master and Commander and found it to very compelling. Having read the books and then seeing the movie for the second time it was a completely different experience as I now knew all the characters and had a deep understanding of the completed story.
I highly recommend the movie, but it pales in comparison to the rich experience of sitting down and reading a truly wonderful story. Completely fleshed out with wonderfully full characters.
The only regret that I have is that Novel 21 is unfinished and the author passed away before it completion. The set is one of those rare reading experiences that you want to continue on and on. When you are done, you are lost, you don't know what to do. My methadone treatment of choice I am on now is the Hornblower series of 11 books.
I went on line and found all the 21 books available in a 5 book boxed set hard cover for a fraction of the total cost of buying them individually. The total pages for all is 6600 pages. I read them all and then bought the DVD and watched it again and realized that is twas a compilation of snap shots taken from several of the books, principally Master and Commander and On the Far Side of the World.
When I started reading the books, I skipped the first, Master and Commander believing that I had no need to read it as I had seen the movie. After reading all the books save the first, I watched the movie and then went back and read the first Master and Commander and found it to very compelling. Having read the books and then seeing the movie for the second time it was a completely different experience as I now knew all the characters and had a deep understanding of the completed story.
I highly recommend the movie, but it pales in comparison to the rich experience of sitting down and reading a truly wonderful story. Completely fleshed out with wonderfully full characters.
The only regret that I have is that Novel 21 is unfinished and the author passed away before it completion. The set is one of those rare reading experiences that you want to continue on and on. When you are done, you are lost, you don't know what to do. My methadone treatment of choice I am on now is the Hornblower series of 11 books.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Created: 25/10/06
I loved this film! I am a middle age women who usually sticks to Chick flicks and romantic comedy. But a friend tld me about this movie so I rented it.
I loved this story so much! That I had to buy it for my collection. I would recommend watching it the first time with subtitles, so you won't miss important dialogue during battle scenes etc. I loved this story of Courage, loyalty and Love and Admiration for duty and country. I was facinated by the hierachy of British Navy life, and how young the sailors were (some were mere boys of 12.) Action packed and beautifully made. Some of my favorite parts are the music playing sessions between the Captian and his good friend the Doctor.
Everytime I watch it I pick up more details I had missed on the first veiwing.
Wonderful! Next to teh great film Gladiator, this is also Crowe at his best! IMHO
I loved this story so much! That I had to buy it for my collection. I would recommend watching it the first time with subtitles, so you won't miss important dialogue during battle scenes etc. I loved this story of Courage, loyalty and Love and Admiration for duty and country. I was facinated by the hierachy of British Navy life, and how young the sailors were (some were mere boys of 12.) Action packed and beautifully made. Some of my favorite parts are the music playing sessions between the Captian and his good friend the Doctor.
Everytime I watch it I pick up more details I had missed on the first veiwing.
Wonderful! Next to teh great film Gladiator, this is also Crowe at his best! IMHO
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Not to be Missed
Created: 21/05/08
If you are a fan of the books, this movie may drive you nuts, as it combines two storylines, and makes a few tweaks to the plot for the sake of continuity and, of course, Hollywood convenience. This, however, does not a bad movie make! You'll be surprised to find yourself drawn into an epic battle on the ocean between two captains as one out chases, out maneuvers, outsmarts, and out guns the other. You are brought into the startling reality of life on board a 19th century man of war, through storms, new world discoveries, superstition, and the doldrums. There isn't a hint of romance, and you can't help but love the movie for not tainting the purity of this adventure classic. You'll be surprised by just how involved you are with the HMS Surprise's crew and her fate by the end of this incredible journey. Don't pass it up.
Very good film, just over long
Created: 09/12/05
) 
As a fan of Russell?s I really enjoyed the film.
He did another wonderful performance. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR. I REMEMBER THE MORNING THE NOMINATION WERE ANNOUNCED, THE CROWD GRASPED WHEN HIS NAME WAS NOT READ. HE DESERVED IT!!
Other actors did good jobs with their roles.
Great film to look at.
Another good job by Peter Weir. Not his best work, that would be in ?Witness?.
Film was a bit over long. DID NOT NEED THE SHORT SCENE, YES EVEN IF IT WAS THIS SHORT, THERE WE HAVE TO HEAR WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SHIPS CREW DURING THE STORM. Also, did not need the scene of the surgery on young Blakeney
.
Good extras on the DVD package.
I have not been able to get the better DVD package. Would like to see that.
He did another wonderful performance. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR. I REMEMBER THE MORNING THE NOMINATION WERE ANNOUNCED, THE CROWD GRASPED WHEN HIS NAME WAS NOT READ. HE DESERVED IT!!
Other actors did good jobs with their roles.
Great film to look at.
Another good job by Peter Weir. Not his best work, that would be in ?Witness?.
Film was a bit over long. DID NOT NEED THE SHORT SCENE, YES EVEN IF IT WAS THIS SHORT, THERE WE HAVE TO HEAR WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SHIPS CREW DURING THE STORM. Also, did not need the scene of the surgery on young Blakeney
.
Good extras on the DVD package.
I have not been able to get the better DVD package. Would like to see that.
6 of 10 people found this review helpful.
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