Review of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) by Ian M — 24 Jun 2010

Bloody brilliant adaptation of the novel Patrick O'Brian (itself one of a series of twenty books). To me it was this, and not the rather more successful Gladiator that gave Russell Crowe his finest role. As British naval captain "Lucky" Jack Aubry he manages to portray all the characteristics of a inspired leader of a warship full of fighting men during the Napoleonic wars. Paul Bettany plays his friend and confident; the ships surgeon Stephen Maturin and between battling the elements and a superior enemy ship the pair are involved in fascinating conversations concerning such topics as the role of discipline and corporal punishment in the armed forces and pre-Darwinian theories of natural selection.

The cast are excellent. The cinematography is excellent The attention to detail of the period and the recreation of an 19th century warship are excellent. The musical score is inspired - featuring the likes of Fantasia on a Theme by Ralph Vaughan and Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 3. It's exciting, thought provoking and visually beautiful (the scenes at the Galapagos are quite stunning). Peter Weir made a fine movie in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, and it deserves to be seen.