*MASTER AND COMMANDER* Movie Reaction FIRST TIME WATCHING
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- čas přidán 29. 06. 2024
- Enjoy my first time movie reaction to Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)! 📼 Sync up your copy with mine + we can watch together at: / master-and-2003-89239308
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🎞️ Reaction edited by the fantastic Dmytro!
00:00 Intro
00:10 Master and Commander Movie Commentary
36:16 Master and Commander Movie Review - Zábava
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GLADIATOR: czcams.com/video/USI4aG_j-ds/video.html
PIRATES OF CARIBBEAN: czcams.com/video/asSmv9b6Y2g/video.html
Great reaction, Jen.
You should react to, 'A Beautiful Mind', from 2001, it's a film with Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany (the ship's surgeon in this film), I think that you'd really like it, Jen.
The reason that they were so curious about Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson was that he was an absolute legend in the British navy. To put it into perspective, he was to the British Royal navy what General Robert E. Lee was to the army of Northern Virginia or Richard the Lionheart was to the crusaders (or Saladin for the ayyubids). He was beloved by his troops almost to the point of zealotry. Trafalgar square in London is named after his most famous battle. His army counterpart Lord Arthur Wellesley was nearly as famous. P.S. Jack Aubrey was fashioned after a naval officer Thomas Cochrane. Cochrane was an absolute mad lad. I read a lot about him and holy hell he was crazy.
Jen, to me, this seems like a film made for you. Great reaction! Thanks...Eric
LA Confidential is my favorite film. One of Russell's first US films.
LOVE this movie, was one of my most watched in high school. I was in JROTC back in high school, JROTC is sorta like a class you take if you’re interested in joining the military after high school. It’s kinda like advanced Scouts. You learn a lot about military lifestyle and character development such as leadership, initiative, dedication and focus, etc. Super fun and I miss it dearly. Anyway, ours was a navy unit and so we got to watch this in school. Love the realistic portrayal of the age of sail. This was like every cadets’ fave movie at the time 😅
Something that often gets overlooked in this film: Aubrey giving young Blakely a book about Lord Nelson was more than just a kind gesture. Among other things Nelson was an amputee, having lost his right arm in battle in 1797, but went on to become one of history's most famous naval commanders. Giving him the book was Aubrey's way of telling the kid that losing a limb didn't mean he couldn't achieve the things he wanted in life.
There is a passing reference that Aubrey was involved with Blakely's mother, so quite possibly he's his father....
@@erictrumpler9652 I don't remember seeing that in the books or which book was his. A captains responsibility extended to the midshipmen as well, especially since the only reason why they were there was as a personal favor to someone (ie midshipmen werent mandated from the navy, but they are chosen by the captain as a favor to a friend, patron, admiral, etc).
@Necrotic99 I have read them all, and as you know, Aubrey had frequent dalliances, but I don't remember any specific reference in any of the books, but there is a passing reference by a member of the crew in the film fairly early on...
It's Blakeney, not Blakely.
Still probably the most historically accurate fictional movie ever made. LOL
Definitely a classic for all time. 💯
It was supposed to be a series but they cancelled those plans when it didn't make as much they planned. I really wish they had continued it.
Yeah. Even then, the visuals are entirely cinematic-the sound design too!
@@darkprose
Yeah, it came out the same year as LOTR Return of the King and still got 2 Academy Awards: best cinematography and best sound editing. This movie was nominated in 10 categories, won 2 of them and lost 8 to LOTR. It could have easily won 8 awards, if it wasnt up against Return of the King. If there was an award for bad timing, the producers would have won that... 😁
Edit: If it would have won 8 awards, we probably would have got some sequels.
Master and Commander is an underrated masterpiece, It’s definitely a movie everyone should watch. Beautiful cinematography, great acting and an amazing score as well.
The scene in the wardroom when they discuss Nelson, looks like a painting!
AGREED.GREAT movie.
There was almost a decade period where Russell Crowe was in nothing but masterpieces of film and this is one of those movies.
Regarding historical realism, this film is one of the best regarding shipboard navy life of the period.
A rarity in Hollywood.
Nominated for 10 Oscars including Best Picture, but lost all of them to LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING
Bad timing.
It won two of those ten.
It actually won two of them, for cinematography and sound editing. Glad it didn't get shut out!
The real winner was Billy Boyd for appearing in two classic movies in one year
goes to show , there's no accounting for taste
"Beat to quarters" is an order to summon the crew of a sailing man-of-war to their stations for action against an enemy. Basically, in Star Trek terms, it would be the equivalent of a red alert.
Nowadays I believe they use the term "general quarters", which from my understanding means more or less the same thing.
"Battle stations!"
"General Quarters" if for any emergency situation - weather, accidents etc. While "Action" or "Battle Stations" is specifically combat related, but gets combined "Sound General Quarters, all hands to Action Stations"... or so I read!
The friendship between the Captain and the Doctor has been likened to that of Kirk and McCoy.
I know someone who says this is the best Star Trek film.
@@robonyt it is a small bit reminiscent of balance of terror
Omg Jen. This is one of my favorite. The chemistry between Crowe and Bettany is so good in this one. True bromance. And the battles, the sound design is unmatched. Its like Heat but at sea lol.
Edit: Lord Horatio Nelson is probably one of if not the most legendary Admiral in naval history. He famously charged and led his ship and British navy to victory at the battle at Trafalgar, one of the legendary battles in the Napoleonic wars and in all navy history. He was shot during the battle, but he remained alive until the battle was won.
One of my favourite films. The cast did a 2 week boot camp to learn how to work a ship. On Russell Crowes request, they were all given 3 shirts and name badges, which they had to sew on themselves, to depict their rank. Great reaction.
Jen, great reaction. As far as Movies about heroic men acting bravely, this is top twenty all time. Though it’s 20 years old, for many young men today, this movie is a touchstone. It inspires them to try for greatness. As you mentioned, the captain and the doctor are great examples of manliness. It’s truly inspiring. Also checkout any and all movies by the director Peter Weir. He is not capable of making a bad movie. One of the best filmmakers ever. Thanks
If only we had more movies like these. Men really need movies like these, it stirs the soul. Hopefully someone will take up the mantle to inspire a demoralized generation! I'd do it if I had the funding.
So you love a good pun? "I heard of dog who once ran 2 miles to get his master's stick. Sounds a bit far-fetched to me." ~ Mel N. Colley
An incredible movie and an even more incredible series of books! The Author Patrick O’Brien was a literary genius! 😊
Caught this one lazy evening at home, channel surfing. Had never heard of it, and it is a gem. Thanks Peter Weir! The friendship between Jack and the doctor is so well done -- I particularly like the line, "He fights like you." Shows how well Stephen knows Jack, and just what a cunning foe he's up against. Low-key greatness throughout!
Another great reaction, thanks Jen! 😊
A note for you on Nelson...
Lord Horatio Nelson was a real person. He was an Admiral in Britain's Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. He was known to be an inspirational leader, and lost an arm and the sight in one eye during his naval service.
In 1805 he won a major victory (oddly enough, his ship was HMS Victory) against a French & Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar, south of Spain. He was killed at the battle.
Nelson was a hero to the British for a very long time, in fact such a national hero that Trafalgar Square in central London is named after the battle. At the centre of Trafalgar Square is Nelson's Column, a 170 foot tall monument to Nelson, with a statue of him at the top. There is also a second, less well known monument to Nelson in Edinburgh. HMS Victory is a museum ship in Portsmouth.
He also picked a fight with a polar bear one time. When Nelson was in his teens, he went with an expedition to the arctic circle and while there, decided he was going to get himself a polar bear skin to take home as a prize. Went out hunting alone, came across one, his gun misfired, so he just clobbered it with the musket-butt. Amazingly, the bear didn't just shred him, probably intimidated by Nelson's colossal steel balls!
Iv read the books multiple times; Master and Commander is a nautical historical novel by the English author Patrick O’Brian, first published in 1969 in the US and 1970 in the UK1. It is the first book in the Aubrey-Maturin series, which consists of 20 novels set largely in the era of the Napoleonic Wars. I highly recommend them to any that enjoy history, or a good fun adventure.
Indeed,sir,with respect I shall make haste to read these recommendations. God be with you,sir.
@user-be7tc2bd6e If you like these i suggest you also try the Horatio Hornblower novels. For a more land-based series Sharpe is excellent.
So fitting to have this between the Star Trek movies. Aubrey is taken from a real life frigate captain (if my books weren't in boxes from moving I would give you his name). He spent his life fighting at sea and was a key to many English victories.
The books are pretty hard to find nowadays, but they are the best books on sailing ever written. Patrick O'Brian really brings the "Age of Sail" to life.
I believe you're thinking of Thomas Cochrane.
@@GhostEye31 Some of his exploits, maybe, but O’Brian himself said the Scottish aristocrat was “too flamboyant, too full of himself’ to be a typical officer. He took the best bits of many naval officers and made is own character. Edward Pellew is probably the closest match (also used in Hornblower) for Lucky Jack.
@@HankD13indeed but most of Jack's victorious actions in the books are directly lifted from Cochrane 's actions. Other parts of Cochrane 's life are also woven onto them, for example, his accusation for fixing the stock markets. And of course his fighting for the rebel navies of South America vs Spain, Cochrane is a national hero in Argentina, Chile, and the other South American nations.
However I take your point. Aubery is a pastiche of the great British frigate captains from Cochrane, Pellow to Philip Vian... you could even add John Paul Jones to the list
@@HarryFlashmanVC Only quoting what O'Brian himself said. Cochrane was a brilliant small ship commander - and he wanted more than that.
Thank you for letting me know that you had reacted to this movie. While Russell Crowe had dreamed of a sequel, "Master and Commander" stands afloat. It is my favorite movie of this young century.
If you liked Master and Commander, check out CS Forester's Hornblower series by A&E. The other most noted naval author of this period historical fictions. BTW Lord Nelson is one of the biggest heros of the British Navy. He died after winning a battle from a wound, leading his tactic of crossing the T. His ship is preserved the HMS Victory with a marker of were he was shot. Trafalgar Square is named for his final victory.
I've been around Cape Horn on a modern aircraft carrier, (they don't fit through the Panama Canal), I can't imagine the stones on those sailors, sailing those waters, in those tiny, fragile ships!
Not a whaling ship that's on fire, just a whaling ship. Whalers had fires burning on board constantly for rendering all the fat, and, blubber into whale oil.
The actor playing the kid had an important role in the first season of HBO's Rome tv series (as the young Octavian, years before he becomes Emperor Augustus).
If you want to dip your toe into Napoleonic era media (and have fun doing so) - I recommend the Sharpe series. Each episode is basically a TV movie and self contained story (mostly, there is continuality as it follows the career of a British army officer and his unit). Its heartfelt and light hearted at the same time, with a great blend of campiness and great acting while pushing its very modest budget to the limit (a lot of imagination is required in some of the battles).
Also, on a similar vein, Hornblower - following the career of a young navy officer. Bigger budget (since its on boats) but same format. The two series really compliment each other.
The books are by Patrick O'Brian. There is quite a long series. The film is drawn mainly from two of them, Master and Commander, and Far Side of the World. The books are notable for being accurate to the period. The film went under the radar for many at the time but has steadily gathered a reputation ever since. It's probably too late now for a sequel. If the film had been more popular at the time the books would have provided plenty of quality material for a series. Enjoyed your reaction, as always.
Poor timing. It was released a year after it should have been...four months after Pirates of the Caribbean!
FYI- 20 complete books / 1 partial published posthumously. The smoke was impersonating a whaler purifying and reducing blubber to oil. Great react…thank you for picking this one!!!
"The other ship was close w
enough!" [To fire on the Surprise in the first engagement]
Different ships have different armaments. Longer guns shoot farther, but also weigh more. So a larger ship can have larger guns with longer range and more of them. The Surprise was a much smaller ship than the Acheron and so didnt have the cannon range that the Acheron had.
It was basically a midget in a boxing match with a lanky brawler.
Thats why Aubrey told the navigator to get them up close, pistol shot range.
"Beating to Quarters" is the equivalent to modern day General Quarters. It tells the crew to go to their assigned battle stations.
Thanks Jen for this one. I always enjoy your reactions, and this movie is a favorite of mine. You have really done some quality movies and shows these past few months. After your original Star Trek show reactions, it was “Yep, this girl has it.” There’s something special about her. Thanks for appreciating the old stuff as well as all the newer movies and franchises
"can't learn history from a film".... Well maybe not documented events... But from this particular movie you can learn "the smell" of history 😉
Also check out ZULU based on actual events and it's "introducing Michael Caine"🎉
It smells like hot dogs...
In case you haven't noticed Jen, these books were a big influence on Gene Rodenberry when he made the original Star Trek series.
The first novel in this series (Master and Commander) was published in 1970, the year after Star Trek was cancelled. It was CS Forester's Hornblower novels that influenced Roddenberry.
One of my favourite bromances of all time, one of my favourite films full stop. And I super enjoyed your reaction, Jen, very entertaining.
I'm French, but I've no problem saying that the British Royal Navy was top tier during this era. The former French Royal Navy was very disorganised after the Revolution, and was only the shadow of her former self. However, privateers such as the Acheron (fictional ship) were feared. You might have heard of Captain Surcouf, he was a real pain in the ass for British merchant and military ships alike.
As for Lord Nelson, he's probably one of the best naval commanders ever.
Lord Nelson, the guy all the crew wanted stories about, was a very important naval commander for Britain. He secured a crucial victory at the battle of Trafalgar but also lost his life in the battle. There's a big monument to him (Nelson's Column) in the middle of Trafalgar Square in London. Most notably for this particular movie, he lost an arm in battle, so there's a deliberate parallel with the heroic young man with one arm.
The books are really good, BTW. And yes, this movie tends to be beloved by history nerds for getting so many details correct.
Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson that everyone talks about, is one of Britains national heroes, if you were ever to visit London you could visit Nelson’s column, in Trafalgar Square. Trafalgar was his great victory over Napoleons combined French and Spanish navy, but also the battle in which he was shot dead by a sharpshooter. They preserved his body in a barrel of brandy for the journey home to Britain.
Yes and when they got home the barrel was dry. Turns out the sailors, drunken perverts as they still are, had bored a hole in the side and were surreptitiously drinking the brandy. To this day the Royal Navy refer to rum and brandy as "Nelson's blood", and stealing spirits from a cask as "tapping the admiral".
Hi Jen! Another action packed reaction! 🔥 You are killing it! ♥️
They say this movie is super immersive as far as showing the experiences of the crew both in battle and when not in battle. You really get a feel for what it would be like on an English warship of that era. What blows everybody’s mind is the midshipmen are so young. And how they have absolute power over men three or four times their age. If you were going to be an officer in the British navy, you grew up real quick.
Great reaction - in case no-one has answered your question down-thread the very young officers are Midshipmen, who were training to be Naval Officers. The Royal Navy at this time was the most professional armed force in the world and potential officers had to go to sea, usually from the age of 12 or 14ish to clock up a required amount of time serving on a ship and learning how to be an officer, seamanship, navigation, naval fighting etc before they could be commissioned. There were also young boys below decks, used to carry up gunpowder and shot from the magazine to the gun decks - they were known as "powder monkeys" and their small size meant that they could duck through hatches and along the crowded gun decks at speed.
1:40 the 'mids' (Midshipmen) are essentially apprentice Naval officers. Admiral Nelson joined the Navy and was appointed Midshipman in 1771, when he was 12, and sat his Lieutenant's exam in 1777, at about 17 years old.
And 'beat to quarters' would - in many other naval or sci-fi movies - be 'battlestations'.
1:20 yea, its definitely not good trying to learn history from films. With that said, one of the reasons why this film has such a dedicated following behind it is because of how much it got right with its portrayal of this era. So while the story in this is fictionalized, a lot of the details of this film are actually quite historically accurate. And as you mentioned, there is a lot of inspiration from actual events taken in this. Russel Crowe's character is largely based on Admiral Thomas Cochrane who did indeed pull off similar antics that we see Aubrey pull of here, like setting up a decoy ship in the night (used barrels instead of a raft) and disguising his ship as something else in order to lure a much bigger ship in before engaging it (flew false flags vs the whaling ship disguise).
Wood floats and wooden ships don’t sink easily, they could take a lot of damage. Fire aboard a vessel of dried and tarred wood, cordage and canvas was the greatest danger.
Wooden ships can easily sink. Wood floats, but the tons of ballast deep in the hull does not.
Definitely a different type film, but your reaction was spot on. You can assess the deeper nuances of each character. Awesome reaction.
Russel Crow learned the violin for this movie.
If you'd like to see these two in another movie where they also have a great friendship, and it's a wonderful movie, 'A Beautiful Mind' should definitely be on a poll someplace
Also featuring the outstanding Jennifer Connelly.
Great movie, great reaction. In those days, boys were very young when they started their naval careers.
The ideal was to make the enemy surrender the ship, rather than sink it. That's how Captain and crew made most of their money. They could bring the captured ship back to England and sell it, along with its contents.
A recommendation from classic Hollywood for you is Mutiny on the Bounty with Clark Gable. Based on a real incident.
Peter Weir is a master director. A superb film, an amazing cast, adapted from great source material.
AGREED. What's that-BEAT-TO-QUARTERS !!!!
"Galipoli" with a very young Mel Gibson ? Jenn?
One of the best (while somewhat underated) movies of all time. Definitely, one of my ten most favorite movies of all time!
There are actually 21 books. The Aubrey and Maturin Series. They follow the friendship of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin. Personally the best, most consistent, long series I’ve ever read. Lots of information but always thrilling.
horatio Nelson is regarded as the greatest admiral in the british navy in the 1800's, He destroyed the french fleet in eygypt trapping napoleon in eygypt and ensuring the french army in eygypt was wiped out, and then when france & spain were planning on invading Britian it was nelson who found their fleet and destroyed them but he died during the battle. he also lost an eye in battle and lost an arm. Trafalgar square in london is completely dedicated to him. his full name was The most noble Lord Horatio Nelson barron of the nile, knight of the most honorable order of the bath, Vice admiral of the white squadron of the fleet, commander in chief of his majesty ships. After defeating the french & spanish fleets while dying he said "i have done my duty for king & country" He is a legend. His body was taking back to england and he was giving one of the greatest funerals ever.
I love Naval history. Part of that is due to my grandfather was a captain in the Navy. 27 years. I spent every summer for 5 years living with my grandparents on base at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida from the age of 10.
One thing that amazed me were the traditions that have been passed down since someone stuck a raft in the ocean. So, long story short (too late) I want to answer your question about what "beat to quarters" means.
It's a command for all sailors to immediately go to their assigned battle station. Now these days that announcement is made over a speaker system. Back when ships had sails, there were no speaker systems. And cannons are noisy. So they would beat a specific pattern on a drum to alert the crew.
Of course once they could use speakers instead of beat to quarters the order became "general quarters". Sometimes "battle stations" was used too.
I'll stop there because if you don't already think I'm boring, you will if I go on.
BTW nice anchor design on your blouse.
the doctor isn't exactly a "quiet man" as well as being a doctor, he is a spy and a fairly well known duellist
“Beat” drum
“To quarters” to battle positions/quarters
Also ships where very hard to sink there made of wood and wood floats naturally.
Haha! They do indeed need to look after the doctor. He is what Lucky Jack calls 'a hopeless lubber', so many areas of expert skill, but alas none to do with sailing. He has nearly died from falliing overboard more times than I can count, in the books.
All this nauticalness makes me want you to see "Captain Blood" (1935) or "The Sea Hawk" (1940) starring Errol Flynn. If you can only see one, I'd recommend "The Sea Hawk" which has the added attractions of sumptuous costumes and sets, Flora Robson's strong, smart and regal performance as Queen Elizabeth, Claude Rains' deliciously underhanded villainy and excellent fencing skills (I love it when the antagonist is conniving and evil but is also a good fighter), and metaphors for England's reluctance and eventual entry into WW2. Of course there are the attractive leads Errol Flynn and Brenda Marshall and a rousing, heroic musical score.
Great reaction. Thank you, Jen.
The director, Peter Weir, says he lost most of his hearing during the filming the early scene of the opening salvo from the Akron! I think he is an exceptional director. Have you seen "Witness", which Weir also directed, with Harrison Ford?
_Acheron._
The _Akron_ is an entirely different sort of ship. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Akron
Just wanted to give a +1 to the suggestion that you watch “Witness.” It’s a terrific film. And in addition to Harrison Ford, it also includes the first film performance of an actor who would one day become quite famous. I won’t spoil who. 😉
In the novel, the enemy was not French, they were American, They changed it as it would not play well in the states.
How have I never seen this. It's amazing, and Jen's reaction makes me want to see it all the more. Thanks Jen Jen!
' in the heart of the sea ' is also a brilliant nautical movie. It stars Chris Hemsworth and is inspired by the true story that inspired Moby Dick. If you like ' master and commander ', you'll enjoy it too
I volunteered briefly on a teaching tall ship (105 ft bow to stern, one of two Brigantines out of San Pedro). Speaking to the experienced crew in the non-profit that ran the ships I was informed that they were incredibly accurate in terms of the terminology, traditions and other factors portraying the period. After volunteering I found the film even more engaging, especially knowing what the orders actually meant, and could really sense the thinking.
This is one of those rare movies that you can really say that it couldn't have been done better. All the aspects of this film-writing, directing, cinematography, and especially the performances, were outstanding. As a history buff I love the attention to historical detail, every time I watch it, it makes me feel like I'm there with the crew on the HMS Surprise. Jen, Russell Crowe wanted to do a sequel and lobbied the studio for it, but it never got off the ground. After 20 years I think it would be hard to get everyone back to do another, but I suppose it's still possible. It's a crime it never happened. I couldn't accept anyone in the role of Lucky Jack but Russell Crowe, though. (I've read where a prequel is in the development stage.)
When Jack asked God's forgiveness for the way they treated Mr. Hollom, that was the moment when the wind finally came up and they could make sail. I think that showed God had forgiven them, and I think that and the shock of Mr. Hollom's suicide made them realize that they were wrong in blaming him for believing he had caused them to be cursed.
Lord Nelson was a British Royal Navy flag officer who was responsible for several major victories during the Napoleonic Wars, including the Battle of the Nile, mentioned in the film. Six months after the date of the film's beginning in 1805, Nelson was killed at the Battle of Trafalgar, where he had just defeated the French and Spanish fleets. He's a revered national hero in Britain and regarded as one of the greatest naval commanders in history.
If you want to see the Acheron’s real life sister ship, you can visit her in Boston Harbor. The USS Constitution is the world’s oldest commissioned warship still afloat.
Such a great movie!!! Lots of parallels between this movie and Star Trek. Lord Nelson was real person who won several important battles for the British Navy.
It's actually based on two books: "Master and Commander" which was the first in the series of novels and "The Far Side of the World" which was the 10th. One of my favorite CZcams channels is ''History Buffs," which researches the actual events told in historical films. While the battle itself is fictional, it is inspired by an actual battle: the first encounter of the USS Constitution.
Beat to quarters is the old naval term for call to arms, calling all crew members to man their stations and be prepared for battle. The newer version of beat to quarters is "general quarters".
The area where the ship was stalled because of the lack of wind (and no rain either) was either 'The Horse Latitudes', or The Doldrums (I suspect it was The Doldrums).
The horse latitudes are located at about 30 degrees north and south of the equator. It is common in this region of the subtropics for winds to diverge and either flow toward the poles (known as the prevailing westerlies) or toward the equator (known as the trade winds). They are characterized by sunny skies, calm winds, and very little precipitation. They are also known as subtropical ridges or highs.
A likely and documented explanation is that the term is derived from the "dead horse" ritual of seamen (see Beating a dead horse). In this practice, the seaman paraded a straw-stuffed effigy of a horse around the deck before throwing it overboard. Seamen were paid partly in advance before a long voyage, and they frequently spent their pay all at once, resulting in a period of time without income. If they got advances from the ship's paymaster, they would incur debt. This period was called the "dead horse" time, and it usually lasted a month or two. The seaman's ceremony was to celebrate having worked off the "dead horse" debt. As west-bound shipping from Europe usually reached the subtropics at about the time the "dead horse" was worked off, the latitude became associated with the ceremony.
An alternative theory, of sufficient popularity to serve as an example of folk etymology, is that the term horse latitudes originates from when the Spanish transported horses by ship to their colonies in the West Indies and Americas. Ships often became becalmed in mid-ocean in this latitude, thus severely prolonging the voyage; the resulting water shortages made it impossible for the crew to keep the horses alive, and they would throw the dead or dying animals overboard.
A third explanation, which simultaneously explains both the northern and southern horse latitudes and does not depend on the length of the voyage or the port of departure, is based on maritime terminology: a ship was said to be 'horsed' when, although there was insufficient wind for sail, the vessel could make good progress by latching on to a strong current. This was suggested by Edward Taube in his article "The Sense of "Horse" in the Horse Latitudes" (Journal of Geography, October 1967). He argued the maritime use of 'horsed' described a ship that was being carried along by an ocean current or tide in the manner of a rider on horseback. The term had been in use since the end of the seventeenth century. Furthermore, The India Directory [5] in its entry for Fernando de Noronha, an island off the coast of Brazil, mentions it had been visited frequently by ships "occasioned by the currents having horsed them to the westward".
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ /ɪtʃ/ ITCH),[ known by sailors as the doldrums or the calms because of its monotonous windless weather, is the area where the northeast and the southeast trade winds converge. It encircles Earth near the thermal equator though its specific position varies seasonally. When it lies near the geographic Equator, it is called the near-equatorial trough.
Great reaction, and even better summary/review!
I've watched this movie many many times, and I never put it together that the young kid took on the characteristics from both the captain and the doctor!!! That was very insightful of you, Jen! 😊😊😊
The books this movie is based on are set during the War of 1812, but the film makers didn’t think American audiences would react well to a movie where the “bad guy” ship was American.
The British TV series, based on C.S. Forester's books and fictional character Hornblower, made in 1998, is worth the watch or listen as an audio book, for more insight into life in the British Navy, at that time. This was going to be a trilogy, but suffered the same fate as the modern Dredd movie. That because of lower than expected takings at the box office, the other movies were cancelled. Shame really, but there you are. Thanx Jen. Peace All
Its been ages since i watched this movie. You've reminded me how good it is. Thanks Jen.👍
Nelson is Britians most famous Admiral, a hero in his own time which is one reason he gave the boy the book the others being Nelson lost his arm and eye in combat and it did not slow down his career
Everyone should watch the "History Buffs" channel's take on the accuracy of the warfare and ships operations in this movie.
This story is loosely based on a real life character known as Thomas Cochrane the "Sea Wolf". The "Kings and Generals" channel has a great video titled "Thomas Cochrane: Craziest Sea Captain". Cochrane's little ship "Speedy" regularly took on long odds and larger vessels and won.
The smoke part of the whaler deception was recreating the "try works" of a whaling vessel. They were huge iron cauldrons for melting whale blubber into oil.
The age of the children on board was accurate for the period. The youngest were cabin boys and then "powder monkeys and midshipmen. The monkeys move gunpowder from the ships magazines to the guns through small passages.
Here's something interesting: one of _Star Trek_ 's influences was C.S. Forester's Hornblower novels. They chronicle the career of a fuctional Napoleonic-era British Navy officer -- from green Midshipman to retired Admiral elevated to the Peerage.
Sound kind of familiar?
I've sometimes wondered what would happen if you took this story into the _Star Trek_ multiverse. If you adjust technology and put it into space, I think it would fit. 🖖
The ‘creaking’ during the amputation was actually the tightening of a tourniquet around the boy’s arm to slow blood flow.
This is a well acted movie and loosely based on history. Russell Crowe is a actor that can just about play any character available. This one is a great movie if you like classic novels. It is well worth the effort.
This masterpiece is fiction but with incredible historical accuracy. Not only that, but it has ties to Star Trek through the Horatio Hornblower novels (the fictional sea hero mentioned in Master & Commander). The character of Captain James T. Kirk is based on C.S. Forester's 19th century navel hero, Captain Horatio Hornblower.
Gene Roddenberry's original pitch for Star Trek described the ship's proposed hero as a "space-age Captain Horatio Hornblower".
Star Trek: TOS episodes that follow the spirit of Hornblower's adventures more prominently include episodes like "The Corbomite Maneuver", "Balance of Terror", "Arena" and "The Doomsday Machine", as well as the films Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.
Any other year, this would have swept the Oscars. It's a true modern classic.
"Immersive" is exactly right IMO, of both the film and the book(s) it's based on (it's a 21 book series - well, _strictly_ 20.5 since the author unfortunately died before finishing what turned out to be his final novel - and the film is mostly adapted from the first and tenth). To me the closest comparison is to sci-fi because the period world building is so rich but with the nautical jargon etc. also kind of alien.
And Nelson is indeed an almost legendary national hero in the UK, especially England, with pubs named after him and statues in his honour dotted around the country (of course, being active in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, he's intimately connected to our imperial past too so isn't exactly a hero in everyone's eyes). His flagship HMS Victory, from his final battle at Trafalgar, is the oldest commissioned naval vessel in the world and sits in dry dock open to visitors in the naval base at Portsmouth (part of which is named, yep, HMS Nelson :).
One of my favorite movies!
Great to see you review this- so very well acted and visually stunning.
The reason that Crowe and Bettany were so convincing with their music, is that they actually learnt to play the instruments. Russel Crowe said it was the hardest thing he's ever done: he practised 3-4 hours a night for four months, to get it right.
The joke about the stay at the Galapagos Islands is, had they returned with those specimens, the'd have beat Darwin to it by like 25 years.
Watched the full reaction on Sunday and loved every second of it everyone is in for a treat 🏴☠️ I dig splinters out often but shrapnel using a mirror it's a no from me 😳 the acting is amazing and it's visually a gorgeous movie . Cheers as always for the fun time Jen 🎉
Whalers had a brick stove (try-works) on board to render the whale blubber into oil. They carried un-assembled casks in their hold and filled them as they caught and "tried" their catch. Once the hold was full of whale oil, they would head home. The stoves where often fueled with some of the whale blubber and bones, and so put out a black smoke, which was a sign of a whale-ship with precious cargo. Too good a spoil for a privateer to pass up.
Actually, the reason the Surprise was "making smoke" in its disguise as a whaler is that whalers keep huge cauldrons boiling on deck after they harpoon a whale. They are after the oil contained in the whale's blubber, you see, so they carve up the whale carcass and boil the blubber to extract the oil. The oil is then stored in wooden casks below deck. When the hold is filled with these casks, it's time to head home and cash in.
Correct. When a whaler was busy processing a whale made fast, it was more a floating factory making a smokey, greasy stink while taking on heavy cargo than it was a mobile sailing ship (and whalers were never known to be particularly fast nor agile) - thus in a state very vulnerable to attack.
I loved this reaction- its such an enjoyable film and the soundtrack is great too. Russell Crowe did learn to play the violin and Paul Bettany learned the cello, so that they would have the right posture and technique when they filmed those scenes although the recording was dubbed in the final version of the film. I read about 6 or 7 of the books and enjoyed them- they go into the private lives of Jack and Stephen too and I love period dramas- it wasn't all on board ships but mostly. I second the suggestions for A Beautiful Mind and L.A. Confidential.
This is usually considered a Boy's Own type movie in which one wouldn't normally think many women would find much interest in watching, but not Jen. She thoroughly immerse herself in the time it's set, the danger, the drama, it's period, the period detail, the military discipline of the time, the raw hard action of navel warfare during this period. She throughly gets it and was not bored once during the whole movie. it was a pleasure to watch it again through her eyes and learned about details I missed and pointed out character motivations and reason for military decision I had not thought about the first time round. I hope this does not come across a patronising in any way, because that was in no way my intention. Great commentary, great reaction loved it!
PS. Master and Commander is masterpiece of a movie in every way!
"Beat to Quarters", is the term given for calling all men to their stations. It draws it's name from the "Quarter Bill", which is a written list that states the locations (stations) to be taken by a ship's officers and crew during action. This list, along with the "Station Bill" and others, would be posted in a conspicuous place on the ship. (Station Bill, denotes the positions in case of fire or other non-combat related emergencies.)
Normally, the crew would be split into various 'watches' to man essential stations for navigation and general operations, however when the crew is expecting combat action, drummers would beat to signal that all men were to take their positions for action. This would typically be followed by the command 'Clear for action', which involves bringing the ship into a state of readiness to fire, in addition the captains cabin would be broken down (inner wall partitions etc removed), allowing the rear guns to be manned etc.
At other times, the watches would be called or dismissed by a boatswain's pipe or whistle, and is the origin of sayings such as 'pipe down' etc, which means to 'pipe down the watch', or send the current watch to bed or below deck. .
The doctor is much more than that. In the books, we find out that he is from the Catalan region of Spain, speaks multiple languages and is one of England's best spies.
Not only Catalan but Irish too, and a Roman Catholic, which makes him very unusual to be in the British King's service. What drives him, besides his great friendship with Jack, is his hatred of Bonaparte and his tyranny in Europe.
Love your reaction to this one. Master and Commander: The greatest Star Trek movie ever made.
3:15
-"Report!"
-"Weapons fire, unknown origin!"
-"Ship decloaking, bearing 035!"
_cue the Klingon war theme_
-"Analysis, Mr Spock."
-"Power signature and weapons configuration are definitely Klingon, Captain. But the hull frame matches no entry on record."
-"New class?"
-"Potentially. I recommend we avoid weapons lock until we have more data."
-"Understood. Mr Sulu, evasive maneuvers. Mr Chekov, full shields, return fire."
-"Aye, keptin."
_-"Jim, what the hell is going on out there?! I got wounded flooding my sickbay from all decks!"_
-"Sorry about the shake up, Doctor. A little bit of Klingon hide-and-seek that we got the wrong end of."
_-"Well I suggest you tag them back quick, dammit! I can't patch people up with all the ruckus!"_
-"Noted. Bridge to Engineering! Mr Scott, all available power to shields and engines."
_-"Cap'n! Primary steerin' control is shotta peeces! We don't have manooveren'!"_
-"Put the steering thrusters on overdrive, Scotty. Send the crew outside to push if you have to."
_-"Aye, Cap'n!"_
-"Hard about, Mr Sulu! Standby warp drive."
-"Yes, sir."
This is perhaps the most epic film on tall ships and one of my favorite films. The Aubrey-Maturin series spans some 20 books (and one unfinished one) by Patrick O’Brian. The movie’s title comes from the first and tenth book. Paul Bethany has said he is most proud of having worked on this project.
In the British Army, wealth could buy you a commission. You could raise a regiment of foot infantry and be its colonel. This was not true for the Royal Navy. That is why you had a tradition of sending young boys to train as officers. The young lads you see in the film are midshipmen, a rank higher than a ship’s rating but below that of a commissioned officer. The Royal Navy had a reputation of having competent officers because of this practice.
Stephen Maturin is Irish-Catalan, and not only is he the ship’s surgeon and a naturalist, he is also a spy for the Admiralty, unbeknownst to Captain Aubrey. This was an aspect that sadly, wasn’t really touched on in the film. In the novel, Master and Commander, Both he and Aubrey first meet on Minorca, during a concert. Jack gets his first command, the HM Sloop, Sophie, a 14-gun vessel, and Stephen is recruited as the ship’s surgeon and the rest is history. In The Far Side of the World, they are actually pitted against the American frigate, USS Norfolk. It is a French one in the movie because REASONS.
Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson was a living legend. He dies at the Battle of Trafalgar in late 1805, in a stunning victory that devastates the combined French and Spanish navies. His monument, known as Nelson’s Column, overlooks Trafalgar Square in London. His ship at Trafalgar, the HMS Victory, a 104-gun, first rate, ship of the line, is the oldest ship still in commission with the Royal Navy. She was launched in 1765. She can be visited at Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard.
The only other author who is similar to Patrick O’Brian, is C.S. Forester, who wrote the Horatio Hornblower series which chronicles the protagonist’s journey from midshipman to admiral. The film, Captain Horatio Hornblower (1951) starring Gregory Peck and a TV series, Hornblower (1998-2003), are based on his works. C.S. Forester also wrote, among others, The African Queen (which became a classic 1951 film with Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn), and, The Good Shepherd (the 2020 film, Greyhound, starring Tom Hanks, is based on the book).
One other historical fiction writer worth mentioning, is Bernard Cornwall. He wrote the novels that are the basis of the Sharpe series (1993 - 2008) which starred Sean Bean as Richard Sharpe, a lowly British soldier during the Napoleonic Wars. Sharpe singlehandedly saves the life of Arthur Wellesley (who goes on to become the Duke of Wellington) and is promptly awarded a commission, and, The Last Kingdom, a BBC then Netflix series from 2015 - 2022, which takes place during the reign of Alfred the Great based on the books of The Saxon Stories. Both series are highly recommended viewing.
The doctor is one of the most intelligent, critical and skeptical thinkers on their ship and yet when mr. Blakeney said: "We must board them, follow me!" He follows the kid without a single second hesitation. That's literally all you need to know about mr. Blakeney's qualities as a leader.
Utterly love this movie, it’s one of my comfort films. The books are great too.
In the book the Acheron was an American ship, but the producers thought that would hurt our feelings so it was Yankee built, but under French colors for the film. Not a huge difference as far as the basic plot goes.
The soundtrack of this film is just brilliant!
9:03 - It was often the case that the Captain and Doctor had a special relationship on these types of navy vessels. The Captain had usually only the Doctor with whom to have a normal interpersonal relationship, firstly because everyone else was subordinate to the Captain, and so that enforces a certain distance and formality, and secondly because the Doctor was one of the few on board who was both upper-class and well educated (as would be the Captain), as well as typically being a similar age, and so they make a natural fit.
In answer to your question Jen. No it was not common for ships at this time to sink. They are made from Wood ( that floats ) after all. Most ships are defeated either because the crew take too many loses or a fire/explosion happens.
The story is basically fictional. However, the battle tactics, ages, uniforms and navigation skills used in the film are among the most historically accurate of any movie.
Mr. Crowe also gives an Oscar worthy performance in another gem called "Cinderella Man". A true story set in Depression era New Jersey/New York that you'd most certainly love. Crowe didn't miss back then. Keep em coming Jen!
Great review Jen. One of my favourites. People often call the series of books (colloquially The Aubriad) Jane Austin at sea which is a pretty good description…….but with cannons! Probably the greatest historical fiction series ever written. If you are so inclined it is fabulous stuff and
0:33 It’s actually based on a series of nautical historical novels-20 completed and one unfinished-by English author Patrick O'Brian, set during the Napoleonic Wars and centering on the friendship between Captain Jack Aubrey of the Royal Navy and his ship's surgeon Stephen Maturin, a physician, natural philosopher, and intelligence agent. The title itself draws from the first and tenth novels, while the movie as a whole draws from five of the books. They are quite popular, primarily with men, and a very passionate fanbase has grown up around them, in part thanks to this film.
I grew up on Aubrey, Hornblower (who Kirk was modeled after), Bolitho, and Ramage... great 'age of sail' book series. Finally having one of those characters on the big screen with modern effects floored me. I love this movie so much and hope someday we'll get more.
"I love the ship-lingo"
If you got interested, you can buy the novels; the author adds a dictionary of "ship-lingo" and other nautical terms at the end of each one.
"Beat to quarters?"
Basically: "Battle Stations!". Since you couldn't have people yelling instructions all around the ship, sailors learned different drum patterns meant differnt things. That way there wouldn't be any mistake: if the drum rolls, it's an order.
"How do you win a naval battle in age of sail?"
The most obvious one: shooting the other ship until it sinks, but as indicated in the opening scene you can also take it as a prize. Navy battles had different stages, depending on the strategy: cannon fire only, if the ships kept their distance, pistol shots (if they were close enough) and, finally "close quarters" combat: basically you board the other ship and fight, hand to hand, its defenders until they all die or the remaning crew surrenders.
A ship can surrender at any point in time, it depends of its loses, the damages and the spirit of its crew.
"I thought a hole in the hull and that was it"
If it hits under the flotation line, that might be it, but (depending on its design) a ship can take many heavy hits and still go on. Unsung heroes of any navy battle are the crew members tasked with repairing damages, wood allows to fit any form of patches to it; so you can "seal" some of the holes while the fight is still going on.
In the case of very small ones, you can do it with nothing but another piece of wood (wood absorbs water and thickens, accidentally sealing the leak... thanks to water).
A battle at sea truly is a battle in different fronts.
"HMS Surprise is a curious name for a ship..."
Fun fact: the ship existed XD. It was a french covette (the smallest type of warship) first named as "Unité", launched in 1794. The british captured it in 1796 and renamed it HMS Surprise. And it had several important adventures in real life on her own: in 1799, the crew HMS Hermione mutinied and delivered her Spain; the HMS Suprise attacked the Hermione to retake her, the british troops had to fight the spanish crew already on board of the Hermione, and they won (119 spanish sailors dead, 231 prisioner; against 11 sailors injured and none killed on the side of Surprise). She was sold in 1802, after France and Britain firmed the Treaty of Amiens to cease temporarily hostilities, and she was broken up (scrapped).
Now, as with battle operations, naming ships isn't an exact science neither XD. Several ships in the navy have had names that are neither epic nor glorious (for example, the ship that captured HMS Surprise for the British Navy was... HMS Inconstant XD). You may find in the lists of Royal Navy of the time names like HMS Lively, HMS Rose, HMS Squirrel, HMS Porcupine, HMS Blonde, HMS Seahorse... and, not from the period, but it seems HMS Pansy, HMS Black Joke and HMS Sandwhich existed.
"Lord Nelson"
Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) is considered by many as one (if not the greatest) naval commander of the British Navy, and in all history. He rose through the ranks thanks to his unconventional tactics, use of strategy and inspiring leadership. His most remembered battle (at least in popular culture) is the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805; Nelson led and won the battle, but he lost his life after being shot by a french sharpshooter.
You can still visit his flagship, HMS Victory, its preserved as a museum ship at Portsmouth, England. It's the oldest naval vessel still in commission, after 245 years (meaning still in active service); since 2012 it's the flagship of the First Sea Lord of England, the highest ranking officer serving in the Royal Navy (currently, Admiral Sir Benjamin John Key).
www.nmrn.org.uk/visit-us/portsmouth-historic-dockyard/hms-victory
"The Acheron"
The enemy of Aubrey's ship in this film is loosely based on the design of the american ship USS Constitution, a heavy frigate launched by the United States Navy in 1797. The ship fought against british ship during the War of 1812, defeating several enemies that should have kicked her ass (and earning the nickname of "Old Ironsides" in the process, it turned out its design, as the film says, really bounce off canon bullets with little damage).
The Constitution still exists, it was designated as museum ship in 1907 and also is still a commisioned ship with a crew of 75 officers and sailors (and, currently, under the command of her first female captain: Billie J. Farrel). You can visit her at Pier 1 in the former Charlestown Navy Yard.
While the Victory is the oldest commisioned ship in the world, the Constitution is the oldest ship still afloat and, if you think of it in a way, she is the only active ship in the current US Navy to sink an enemy ship in battle: czcams.com/video/otGKno00f3A/video.html
The ship was almost destroyed around 1830, because it was just too old, but several efforts to preserve the ship eventually saved her from destruction. One of the most "dramatic" ones is the poem "Old Ironsides" by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.; the poem is mostly remembered for its opening verses (Aye, tear her tattered ensign down / Long has it waved on high...) but the last stanza, where the author proposes a more fitting funeral for the ship it's a good summary of the charm and spell the age of sail still has on many:
Oh, better that her shattered hulk
Should sink beneath the wave;
Her thunders shook the mighty deep,
And there should be her grave;
Nail to the mast her holy flag,
Set every threadbare sail,
And give her to the god of storms,
The lightning and the gale!
ussconstitutionmuseum.org/
"You shot the doctor!"
Earlier in the film, it seems like an act of tyranny that Aubrey doesn't let Maturin, the doctor, to walk his way accross the island while they go in pursuit. And now, in this part of the film, we get to see why the ship can't be on active duty without its doctor on board (as frustrating as it may be he can't pursue his passions, being so close to such fascinating islands).
And that would be it: nice reaction. See you in the next one.
Jen: 18:45 "We just don't sing enough together as groups anymore, you know... Rally-rally-rally" lmao