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Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

tomatometer

85

Average Rating: 7.6/10
Reviews Counted: 207
Fresh: 175 | Rotten: 32

Russell Crowe's rough charm is put to good use in this masterful adaptation of Patrick O'Brian's novel.

93

Average Rating: 7.8/10
Critic Reviews: 41
Fresh: 38 | Rotten: 3

Russell Crowe's rough charm is put to good use in this masterful adaptation of Patrick O'Brian's novel.

audience

75

liked it
Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 123,555

My Rating

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,

PG-13, 2 hr. 19 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure

Peter Weir

Apr 20, 2004

$93.9M

20th Century Fox

Cast

All Critics (207) | Top Critics (41) | Fresh (181) | Rotten (32) | DVD (46)

It 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.

August 7, 2004 Full Review Source: New York Magazine | Comment
New York Magazine
Top Critic IconTop Critic

If this is the stuff that rings the bell on your macho meter, go with my blessing.

November 25, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Observer | Comment
New York Observer
Top Critic IconTop Critic

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.

November 25, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Observer | Comments (7)
New York Observer
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A gentleman's action movie.

November 15, 2003 Full Review Source: Salon.com | Comment
Salon.com
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A plain old good movie.

November 14, 2003 Full Review Source: USA Today | Comment
USA Today
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Considering how cinema-unfriendly O'Brian was - the author rarely went to the movies, and had to be persuaded to release the film rights -- Master & Commander manages to loosen the shackles of its dry pages.

November 14, 2003 Full Review Source: Toronto Star | Comment
Toronto Star
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Balanced action and a strong story of friendship.

December 26, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Common Sense Media

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.

September 19, 2010 Full Review Source: Suite101.com | Comment
Suite101.com

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.

May 12, 2009 Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com | Comment
ColeSmithey.com

A stupendous production, Master and Commander satisfies as richly as a book might, immersing us in a world of its people and its places.

October 18, 2008 Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | Comment
Urban Cinefile

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.

March 11, 2008 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | Comment
eFilmCritic.com

A stunning technical achievement.

July 14, 2007 Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | Comment
Big Picture Big Sound

Too closely cropped to allow for the expansive feel of an oceanic epic, and fails to develop any meaningful relationships among its characters.

April 22, 2007 Full Review Source: Princeton Town Topics | Comments (7)
Princeton Town Topics

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.

September 26, 2006 Comment

An enjoyable nautical adventure that gives us hope that Peter Weir can still make impressive movies.

August 8, 2006 Full Review Source: Oscar Guy | Comment
Oscar Guy

Thanks in no small measure to Perfect Storm designer William Sandell, this handsomely mounted actioner exudes the authentic tang of salt, sweat and gunpowder.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out | Comment

The best boy's adventure of the year.

December 6, 2005 Full Review Source: Film Threat | Comment
Film Threat

Although the movie runs into some problems during its bloated second act, the ending is rewarding enough to make it all worthwhile.

July 5, 2005 Full Review Source: Bullz-Eye.com | Comment
Bullz-Eye.com

A quite sturdy and enjoyably romp through the ferocious Pacific high seas.

May 4, 2005 Full Review Source: Lessons of Darkness | Comment
Lessons of Darkness

Oak solid and unsinkable, Master And Commander is old-fashioned entertainment crafted with considerable care.

April 6, 2005 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | Comment
Empire Magazine

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.

April 2, 2005 Full Review Source: Dark Horizons | Comment
Dark Horizons

If nothing else, Master and Commander proves that Russell Crowe is a true blue movie star.

March 5, 2005 Full Review Source: NYC Film Critic | Comment
NYC Film Critic

Weir, one of the few directors who is both an artist and a threat to the box office, triumphantly returns...

January 15, 2005 Comment
Looking Closer

An exciting but reactionary film

November 17, 2004 Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | Comments (2)
rec.arts.movies.reviews

A vastly entertaining and noble motion picture. Spending two hours and 20 minutes with Aubrey and crew is high honor.

October 15, 2004 Full Review | Comment

The film shows how wonderful it is to be a Hollywood Captain instead of a real captain.

October 7, 2004 Full Review Source: tonymedley.com | Comments (2)
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Interesting to see how naval battles were fought in the early 1800's. If only they knew then what we know now. To the chagrin of some of his senior crew, Cptn Jack Aubrey sets out to defeat a technically superior ship.

December 23, 2011
Redlats

Super Reviewer

Peter Weir's adventurous period drama was ambitiously conceived, magnificently executed. The film is set in 1805, during the time of Napoleon's near-total power over Europe. Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) has taken his small South American ship, the HMS Surprise, and his crew to the Pacific Ocean, planning to intercept

July 21, 2011
spielberg00
Alexander Diminiano

Super Reviewer

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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)
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