Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Play trailer

2:41

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

PG-13

Released Nov 14, 2003

2h 19m

Adventure

Drama

War

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy 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

Kat Sachs

Chicago Reader

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

May 16, 2024

Full Review

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

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

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

Read all reviews

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Kevinator B

Love it I’ve watched it a million times and I like the graphics and that one scene in the storm 5 out of five insane

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/19/25

Full Review

Francisco S

Except for a few good jokes this movie doesn't make any sense.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/10/25

Full Review

Hina S

Absolute cinema. If you like ships, or even just action, you have to see this movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/25

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

42%

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%

94%

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