Film review – Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
Rating: 8/10
Starring: Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, James D'Arcy, Edward Woodall, Chris Larkin, Max Pirkis, Jack Randall, Max Benitz, Lee Ingleby, Richard Pates, Robert Pugh
Directed by: Peter Weir
Review: Film review – Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) - Russell Crowe plays the lead role here as the Captain of HMS Surprise with orders to sink the French ship Acheron during the Napoleonic wars. This becomes a titanic tussle between Crowe and the French Captain. There is more than a passing glance to Moby Dick here as Crowe becomes obsessed with his enemy endangering his crew in the process. Paul Bettany plays the doctor of the ship and friend of the captain , seemingly a sort of Charles Darwin character desperate to explore the wildlife on the Galapagos Islands. He pulls the role off well.
Although in general the film captures the era well I'm afraid Crowes rather soft Captain doesn't ring true. A ships Captain in those days must surely have been tougher than this. However this small thing doesn't let the film down which is both entertaining and stylish. Overall the film has a good feel and is atmospheric. It's well paced and Crowe plays the lead well with ample support from Bettany. Well worth a watch.
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_and_Commander:_The_Far_Side_of_the_World
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0311113/
Amazon: Buy it
Trailer: