Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Play trailer

2:41

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

PG-13

2003

2h 19m

Adventure

Drama

War

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

227 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In 1805, aboard the H.M.S. Surprise, the brash Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) and his trusted friend, the ship's scholarly surgeon, Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany), are ordered to hunt down and capture a powerful French vessel off the South American coast. Though Napoleon is winning the war and the men and their crew face an onslaught of obstacles, including their own internal battles, "Lucky Jack" is determined that nothing will stop the Surprise from completing its mission.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

It’s the stuff in between the action, of course, that marks this movie as a masterpiece. Weir is one of the great thinking film-makers and a committed altruist, so the lion’s share of screen time is devoted to small acts of kindness on board.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 9, 2025

Full Review

Kat Sachs

Chicago Reader

Master and Commander is both quite good and a fun watch.

May 16, 2024

Full Review

Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

... As satisfying as an epic yarn as it is as an intimate study of male friendship and courage.

May 8, 2023

Full Review

Katie Hogan

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

Master & Commander could very well be considered a forgotten epic but with releases such as the new Steelbook, keeps the magic of the film alive.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 10, 2025

Full Review

Douglas Davidson

Elements of Madness

It’s because of the film’s ability to balance so much that audiences connect with "The Far Side of the World," creating the burgeoning fan base that has kept the film in conversation well past its initial release.

Aug 29, 2025

Full Review

Allison Rose

FlickDirect

A thrilling high-seas adventure, Master and Commander delivers gripping naval warfare, strong performances, and breathtaking cinematography.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 5, 2025

Full Review

Read all reviews

Marit Risto F

Some nice music, and interesting animals. But these old fashioned boys' games are so impotent. The only women here are prostitutes...

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/06/25

Full Review

Johannes S

A little too long as plotwise there isn't a lot happening. Other than that, it is a gorgeous movie with amazing cinematography and set-design.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/08/25

Full Review

Audience Member

This is by far one of my all-time favorite movies. They don't make films like this anymore. It was a complete passion project by the producer and director based off the Patrick O'Brien novels that follows a British privateer hunting down a more powerful French ship across both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. It has an amazing cast including Billy Boyd and Russell Crowe, and tons of on-location shooting including on the actual Galapagos islands and on a full-size replica of the HMS Surprise vessel on the open ocean, built just for this film. It also has the best 5.1 surround sound soundtrack I have ever heard. Not only did they record hours of audio on real ships of the wind blowing and wood creaking, but the action scenes will blow you out of the water - pun intended. You can hear cannonballs whizzing past your head if you have the proper system to listen to it on. I can watch this movie over and over again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/13/25

Full Review

Alex R

Riveting and breathtaking. Perfectly shot. The cinematography is gorgeous. It’s setting and how they shot it is an achievement. Perfect cast full of talent.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/10/25

Full Review

Andrew B

Master and Commander does a wonderful job of immersion and entertainment. The repetition of scenes and circular plot contributes to its two-hour-plus runtime, but the film maintains your focus from the first frame and never lets you catch your breath or go ashore without purpose. Russell Crowe delivers another commanding performance with remarkable chemistry alongside Paul Bettany.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/31/25

Full Review

Jerod S

Epic sea adventures are hard to pull off - but it fits Crowe and Bettany and the story of courage and friendship.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/13/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Peter Weir

Director

Russell Crowe

Jack "Lucky" Aubrey

Paul Bettany

Dr. Stephen Maturin

Billy Boyd

Coxswain Barrett Bonden

James D'Arcy

Thomas Pullings

Lee Ingleby

Hollom

View more videos

The Four Feathers

41%

65%

The Four Feathers

Watchlist

Cast Away

88%

84%

Cast Away

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Cast Away

King Arthur

30%

59%

King Arthur

Watchlist

TRAILER

for King Arthur

The Aryan Couple

12%

58%

The Aryan Couple

Watchlist

Turtles Can Fly

87%

93%

Turtles Can Fly

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Weekly Ketchup: "Spider-Man 3" Sneak Peek, Keira Knightley Jumping Ship, MGM Hedging Its Bets, And More!

Box Office Wrapup: "Mission: Impossible 3" Beats "Poseidon" to Remain at #1

Anne Hathaway to Get "Knocked Up" for Judd Apatow

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World: Trailer 1

2:41

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

In 1805, aboard the H.M.S. Surprise, the brash Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) and his trusted friend, the ship's scholarly surgeon, Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany), are ordered to hunt down and capture a powerful French vessel off the South American coast. Though Napoleon is winning the war and the men and their crew face an onslaught of obstacles, including their own internal battles, "Lucky Jack" is determined that nothing will stop the Surprise from completing its mission.

Director: Peter Weir
Producer: Samuel Goldwyn Jr., Duncan Henderson, Peter Weir
Screenwriter: Peter Weir, John Collee, Patrick O'Brian
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Samuel Goldwyn Films, 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures, Miramax Films
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Adventure, Drama, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 14, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $93.9M
Runtime: 2h 19m
Sound Mix: Surround, DTS, Dolby EX
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now