Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

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.

Cast:

Year - Presenter		Award Category		Result		Name
2003 - Academy Awards		Best Cinematography		Winner		Russell Boyd

"...To see Crowe as Capt. Jack Aubrey in MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD is to see a consummate performer doing what he does best..." -- Kenneth Turan , (Los Angeles Times)

"...The battle sequences are filmed with impressive coherence and rigor..." -- A. O. Scott , (New York Times)

"...[A] masterful and commanding film....A story in full billow..." -- Lisa Schwarzbaum , (Entertainment Weekly)

"...A rousing high-seas adventure that sweeps you into another world..." -- Peter Travers , (Rolling Stone)

"[I]t's the film's thoughtful use of naturalism as metaphor and plot device that gives MASTER AND COMMANDER a sense of Tom Stoppard-like, upscale intelligence." -- Leslie Felperin , (Sight and Sound)

"[T]his is a plain old good movie&.it ought to find fans among the young and the old and both genders." -- Mike Clark , (USA Today)

"[A]n intelligent movie about men tested by the sea. Director Peter Weir mounts an impressive production..." -- Roger Ebert , (Chicago Sun-Times)

"[I]t's a wonderfully vivid journey to a distant time and place." -- Stephen Farber , (Movieline's Hollywood Life)

"The detailed depiction of shipboard life is total and overwhelming." -- Adam Sweeting , (Uncut)

4 stars out of 5 -- "It's all about sweeping views of 1700s battleships, tropical islands speckled across the horizon and weather-beaten shots of Russell Crowe." -- Ultimate DVD Staff , (Ultimate DVD)

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