IMDb > Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
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Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) More at IMDbPro »

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Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) -- During the Napoleonic Wars, a brash British captain pushes his ship and crew to their limits in pursuit of a formidable French war vessel around South America.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) -- Clip: The far side of the world
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) -- During the Napoleonic Wars, a brash British captain pushes his ship and crew to their limits in pursuit of a formidable French war vessel around South America.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) -- During the Napoleonic Wars, a brash British captain pushes his ship and crew to their limits in pursuit of a formidable French war vessel around South America.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.5/10   58,009 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Patrick O'Brian (novels)
Peter Weir (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 November 2003 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
The Courage To Do The Impossible Lies In The Hearts of Men.
Plot:
During the Napoleonic Wars, a brash British captain pushes his ship and crew to their limits in pursuit of a formidable French war vessel around South America. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Won 2 Oscars. Another 17 wins & 57 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(82 articles)
Pirate Radio
 (From Scorecard Review. 13 November 2009, 4:07 AM, PST)

“Creation” Movie Poster and Trailer
 (From Filmofilia. 3 November 2009, 10:37 AM, PST)

User Comments:
"When at sea, one must choose the lesser of two weevils." more (637 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Russell Crowe ... Capt. Jack Aubrey

Paul Bettany ... Dr. Stephen Maturin, Surgeon

James D'Arcy ... 1st Lt. Tom Pullings
Edward Woodall ... 2nd Lt. William Mowett
Chris Larkin ... Capt. Howard, Royal Marines

Max Pirkis ... Blakeney, Midshipman
Jack Randall ... Boyle, Midshipman
Max Benitz ... Calamy, Midshipman

Lee Ingleby ... Hollom, Midshipman
Richard Pates ... Williamson, Midshipman

Robert Pugh ... Mr. Allen, Master
Richard McCabe ... Mr. Higgins, Surgeon's Mate
Ian Mercer ... Mr. Hollar, Boatswain
Tony Dolan ... Mr. Lamb, Carpenter
David Threlfall ... Preserved Killick, Captain's Steward
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Far Side of the World (Australia) (working title) (USA) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for intense battle sequences, related images, and brief language.
Runtime:
138 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
To research for his role, Paul Bettany went to the Royal College of Surgeons in London to learn how to use 18th century surgical instruments. more
Goofs:
Miscellaneous: When all the men are singing at the captain's table, the camera moves round the table. At one point it is knocked by something. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Preserved Killick, Captain's Steward: [taking egg from chicken coup] Come on, come on. It's all right.
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Ghost of Time more

FAQ

Why were there children on board HMS Surprise?
Did the Royal Navy back then allow black sailors equal status with the whites?
Why is the french captain acting like a coward and disguises himself? ***spoilers for film***
more
57 out of 77 people found the following comment useful.
"When at sea, one must choose the lesser of two weevils.", 24 June 2004
Author: TxMike from Houston, Tx, USA, Earth

My summary quote is from a scene where the captain (Crowe) makes a joke at the expense of his good friend and physician (Bettany). It is indicative of the fine humor sprinkled into an otherwise serious movie.

Many commentors said this movie is dull or boring. They must have wanted an event-driven, action-oriented movie, which this is not. There really are only two, rather brief, battle scenes. Instead, this is very much a character-driven movie. The approach the captain takes to his mission, extending it beyond his orders, to try and do his part to thwart the French power play in the waters near Brazil in 1805. His good friend, the doctor, wanting to study insects, birds, reptiles and other creatures on the shore of strange lands, including the Galapagos, but being disappointed by demands of the mission. Young boys literally growing up on the ship to become effective military leaders. The claustrophobic conditions on the ship, enduring rough seas that almost destroy their temporary home, or lack of rain that makes them wonder if they will die of thirst.

Overall a fine movie. The critic Ebert has a good and complete review. The DVD is good, with a very nice picture and both DTS and Dolby sound, but no extras relating to the movie.

Was the above comment useful to you?
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