Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

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Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

PG-13

Released Nov 14, 2003

2h 19m

Adventure

Drama

War

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Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

224 Reviews

80%

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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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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Kat Sachs

Chicago Reader

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

May 16, 2024

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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

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Anthony Lane

The New Yorker

We feel ourselves to be in good company with these men, and strangely jealous of their packed and salted lives.

Jan 18, 2022

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Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

Above all else, it’s a portrait of a complex but ultimately healthy male friendship. The kind where the captain and ship surgeon take breaks from their adventures to play classical music duets. (20th anniversary)

Rated: 4.5/5

Nov 17, 2023

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Collin Garbarino

WORLD

The film depicts the indignities of a 19th-century life at sea, along with the horrors of the Napoleonic Wars. But the narrative rests on the bedrock of Aubrey and Maturin’s friendship.

Rated: 4/4

Nov 3, 2023

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Loren King

Newport This Week (RI)

Weir wisely grounds the intense but wearying high seas adventure in the friendship between Aubrey and Paul Bettany as Dr. Stephen Maturin, the ship’s surgeon who tends to the many wounded.

Aug 3, 2023

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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

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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

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Marc M

This is a wonderful study of late 18th century seafaring. As a historian, I can say the detail is extremely impressive. As a film buff, the cinematography and art direction superb. As for the acting, there is an array of impressive performances--genuine, gritty, and often heart wrenching. Absolutely Russel Crow's best performance. Forceful, nuanced, and emotionally satisfying. Leaves "Gladiator" in the dust.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/08/25

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Audience Member

A good movie , well paced and with excellent dialogue. I did not like the fact that there were basically 2 battles in the movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/27/25

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Michele D

This movie is a pure joy to watch. Crowe's charisma is contagious. And the music....fabolous. Bach, Boccherini, Corelli....great!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/27/25

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Fer S

It's good. Very consistent pace and narrative. Nothing too special though.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/25/25

Full Review

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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

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

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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)

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