Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

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Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

PG-13

2003

2h 19m

Adventure

Drama

War

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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.

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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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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

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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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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

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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

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Cameron H.

This is one of the best historical films ever made! With strong performances from the cast, especially Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany, a gripping story filled with tension and drama, beautiful cinematography, and surprisingly accurate naval war action, this is a film you need to see!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/12/25

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Ruiguang W

Not a lot of movies about historical naval battles, which I appreciate. Was a bit bored at times though.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/09/25

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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

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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

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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

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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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