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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85%

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224 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.

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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

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

Anthony Lane

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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Audience Member

A timeless classic, epic from beginning to end! You will laugh and cry and fee exasperated as if you are right there in the movie. Brutal, human, funny, resilient, a great depiction of life at sea in the Royal Navy in the Napoleonic wars! Guaranteed that you will be so enamoured that you will do some private research on interesting aspects presented!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/14/24

Full Review

prawnda s

some might find parts of master and commander a little slow, but sometimes a good period piece can't show it's worth otherwise. there is plenty of humor, drama, violence, and excitement to be found in this film, and it has a little bit of that pirates of the caribbean energy without being corny.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/11/24

Full Review

Mr M

A couple of good scenes wasn't enough to save this film for me. It's a really slow one, with not enough going on, or of interest, for most of it.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/04/24

Full Review

Adam B

I just don’t know what else you could ask from a movie. It’s exceptional.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/22/24

Full Review

Samu L

This a classic movie in the best sense. Crowe is exceptional. Rest of the cast shines as well. Special effects are realistic, film feels authentic. Shame that films like this aren't made so often anymore.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/16/24

Full Review

Davin H

Battle scenes are epic. Beautifully shot and well acted. The only criticisms I have being slowly paced at times, and only briefly touching on the spy craft that was in the source material.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/03/24

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: Official Clip - Man Overboard

2:13

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World: Official Clip - Hand to Hand Combat

2:11

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World: Official Clip - This Ship Is England

2:06

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World: Official Clip - Attack on the Acheron

2:10

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World: Official Clip - Hollom Jumps

2:13

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World: Official Clip - Self Surgery

2:12

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World: Official Clip - Men Must Be Governed

2:12

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World: Official Clip - My God That's Seamanship!

2:13

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World: Official Clip - The Lesser of Two Weevils

2:01

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World: Official Clip - The Battle Is Won

1:52

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

2:41

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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: 20th Century Fox, Miramax Films, Samuel Goldwyn Films, Universal Pictures
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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