Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
Average Rating: 7.6/10
Reviews Counted: 208
Fresh: 176 | Rotten: 32
Russell Crowe's rough charm is put to good use in this masterful adaptation of Patrick O'Brian's novel.
Average Rating: 7.9/10
Critic Reviews: 44
Fresh: 41 | Rotten: 3
Russell Crowe's rough charm is put to good use in this masterful adaptation of Patrick O'Brian's novel.
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Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 123,555
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Movie Info
Director Peter Weir's first turn behind the camera since 1998's critically acclaimed The Truman Show, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is based on two Napoleonic War-era adventure novels in author Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series, Master and Commander and The Far Side of the World. Russell Crowe stars as Captain Jack Aubrey, a high-seas adventurer who maintains a strong bond with ship-surgeon Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany). After conquering much of Europe already,
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Cast
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Russell Crowe
Captain Jack Aubrey -
Paul Bettany
Dr. Stephen Maturin -
Billy Boyd
Barrett Bonden -
James D'Arcy
1st Lt. Tom Pullings -
Lee Ingleby
Hollom Midshipman -
George Innes
Joe Plaice -
Mark Lewis Jones
Mr. Hogg -
Chris Larkin
Captain Howard -
Richard McCabe
Mr. Higgins Surgeon's M... -
Robert Pugh
Mr. Allen -
David Threlfall
Killick -
Max Pirkis
Lord Blackeney -
Edward Woodall
2nd Lt. William Mowett -
Ian Mercer
Mr. Hollar -
Max Benitz
Calamy Midshipman -
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All Critics (208) | Top Critics (44) | Fresh (182) | Rotten (32) | DVD (46)
Thanks in no small measure to Perfect Storm designer William Sandell, this handsomely mounted actioner exudes the authentic tang of salt, sweat and gunpowder.
Top CriticIt never achieves the visual elegance or majesty that a David Lean might have provided. The story line isn't the freshest. And yet the film is satisfying all the same.
If this is the stuff that rings the bell on your macho meter, go with my blessing.
To put it plainly, two ships playing tag across the seas is no longer my idea of whoopee, especially at a time when grown-ups are popping up all over the screen with uncensored stories of the eternal affinities and all their variations.
A gentleman's action movie.
A plain old good movie.
Balanced action and a strong story of friendship.
Peter Weir makes the Surprise a world to explore, not a splashy CGI simulation. Like a human body, the boat stays afloat through complex processes. A knockout mix of organic elegance, reflective drama and aggressive action on par with Sir David Lean.
an expansive cinematic achievement that sits well against such adventure classics as Lawrence of Arabia, and is a sure bet for fans of ocean bound drama.
A stupendous production, Master and Commander satisfies as richly as a book might, immersing us in a world of its people and its places.
It's an undeniably square, throwback movie, but there's no major crime in making 'em like they used to, and doing it this elegantly.
A stunning technical achievement.
Too closely cropped to allow for the expansive feel of an oceanic epic, and fails to develop any meaningful relationships among its characters.
Through its emphasis on characters and not merely action, Master does not let us forget that all individuals are souls with flesh and blood, not merely empty casualties of war.
An enjoyable nautical adventure that gives us hope that Peter Weir can still make impressive movies.
The best boy's adventure of the year.
Although the movie runs into some problems during its bloated second act, the ending is rewarding enough to make it all worthwhile.
A quite sturdy and enjoyably romp through the ferocious Pacific high seas.
Oak solid and unsinkable, Master And Commander is old-fashioned entertainment crafted with considerable care.
One keeps waiting for Russell Crowe to slip up and star in a bad movie and so far he's gladly been able to disappoint us -- well the good news with Master is that he's done it again.
If nothing else, Master and Commander proves that Russell Crowe is a true blue movie star.
Weir, one of the few directors who is both an artist and a threat to the box office, triumphantly returns...
An exciting but reactionary film
A vastly entertaining and noble motion picture. Spending two hours and 20 minutes with Aubrey and crew is high honor.
The film shows how wonderful it is to be a Hollywood Captain instead of a real captain.
Audience Reviews for Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Super Reviewer
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- Dr. Stephen Maturin: Jack, I fear you have burdened me with a debt I can never fully repay.
- Captain Jack Aubrey: Name a shrub after me. Something prickly and hard to eradicate.
- Dr. Stephen Maturin: A shrub? Nonsense! I shall name a new species of tortoise after you: Testudo Aubrey!
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Foreign Titles
- Master and Commander - The Far Side Of The World (UK)
- Master & Commander : de l'autre côté du monde (FR)
If you look only the technical feats of this film then it is an marvelous achievement. With it's fantastic cinematography by Russell Boyd and pitch perfect editing by Lee Smith, Master and Commander is a film which is beautiful to watch. But beneath it's luxurious surface is not enough material to keep this ship afloat.
Peter Weir's film is clearly overlong and there are some unnecessary moments that does feel lift from another film. Especially some moments with Paul Bettany's Dr. Stephen Maturin and his hobby as a naturalist feels lifted from another film. They are interesting but does not add up to anything as a whole.
Weir's approach to film's story is unshamingly muscular and even a bit too macho for it's own good but if you like these kind of epics which are all about men fighting their war, then this might be your cup of tea. For me the whole film just felt too stiff and was missing a good characters to root for.
Weir can make his films look good there is denying of that, but sometimes, like in here, his screenplay does not match his visuals. This could have been something so much more, now it is just faintly entertaining and good looking epic with none of the charm it desperately needs.