Master and Commander | The Most UNDERRATED Cinematic Masterpiece | Film Summary & Analysis
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- čas přidán 7. 06. 2024
- Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is an epic, Napoleonic era war film released in 2003. Co-written, produced and directed by Peter Weir, the movie’s plot and characters are adapted from three novels in author Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series, which includes 20 completed novels of Jack Aubrey's naval career. Russell Crowe stars as Aubrey, captain in the Royal Navy, alongside Paul Bettany as Dr. Stephen Maturin, the ship's surgeon.
The movie was filmed on the open sea, as well as on replica ships, and on the Galapagos Islands. It cost $150 million to make, co-produced by 20th Century Fox, Miramax Films, Universal Pictures, and Samuel Goldwyn Films, and released on November 14, 2003. Unfortunately, it underperformed at the box-office, grossing $212 million worldwide.
However, the film was praised critically. At the 76th Academy Awards, the film was nominated for 10 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director-winning Best Cinematography and Best Sound Editing. In all other categories it lost to The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
While originally there was a plan to create a franchise, no sequels were made.
I love the review but you didn't mention once in the commentary that a lot is owed to the author of the Aubrey-Maturin series, Patrick O'Brian. The script writer's job was a lot easier having this wonderful author as his source material for the dialogue as well as the director's visual reconstruction of the scenes from the vivid descriptions in the books.
That’s a great point, well worth remembering.
I literally thought the same! Patrick O'Brian was a hell of a writer!
Yes! And please don't overlook in your analysis that Steven was a SPY and that Jack didn't know that. This and his background is critical to understanding the good Doctor's perspective which is, sadly, lost in a single film that is covered by many books.
@@brookthomas5843 From the books Jack, while not always knowing Steven's specific mission, was well aware that he worked in intelligence.
@@tomvaleri2642 - That's right, Jack knew. It's the officers that didn't know, I don't think even Tom Pullings knew. What Jack didn't know was that Stephen fought for Irish independence some 20 years before, and if that fact got out Stephen would probably be thrown in prison. Correct me if I'm wrong!
You mention how Capt. Aubrey temporarily abandons his duty to save Dr. Maturin, but you neglected to also mention how, when Dr. Maturin finally gets his wish to find new species to study on the Galapagos, he abandons them when he spots the Acheron in order to give Jack the chance to finally catch her. So when push comes to shove, each man sacrifices his own will for the other man's sake.
Really, their friendship is the heart of the piece. Can't say enough about this amazing film. Changed my mind about Russell Crowe forever.
@@billium99 The Aubrey/Maturin friendship is the best thing about the books, too. Patrick O'Brian spins a great yarn about long voyages on empty seas punctuated by brief moments of swashbuckling adventure, but at their heart the books are about how two men from different walks of life became fast friends in a time of conflict.
@bscashman You should read the books! It's such a neat and unlikely friendship. Maturin and Aubrey very nearly ended up killing one another over an extremely petty grievance, but after the duel is arranged, Jack learns that he has finally been promoted and given his first command. He's simply too ecstatic to go through with the duel, and invites Stephen to come to sea with him almost spontaneously. They're more or less inseparable for a decade to come.
So true, the friendship and sacrifices of the two main characters is the backbone of the series of books, and come across well in the film, as both men sacrifice their passions for the success of the other, and each of them soften each others rigid world views. They are in many ways polar opposites, except in their love of music. I cant help grinning each time I watch them continue to play that wonderful duet at the end of the film as they come about to chase down the French captain...again!
@@mehmeteking It is! I think what's best about this particular genre (of films and books) is that it explores how men form friendships and interact when they're apart from women--note that there is only one actress in this entire feature length film, and she has zero lines. Which is not to say anything bad about women or actresses generally--it's just interesting that men act differently when women are around. Perhaps we're more ourselves; perhaps we're free to be someone else. Regardless, whatever it is, we're different, and act differently towards one another. Indeed, in the rare instances when there is tension serious enough to actually threaten Jack and Stephen's friendship in the novels, it's invariably because of a woman (usually Diana Villiers).
I'm a retired Naval Officer and let me tell you, this movie is really popular with Navy guys. You can find it in almost every wardroom DVD collection.
I've been to HMS Victory at Portsmouth. Discussed this movie with the guides. We agreed we could almost smell this movie's tar and the salt.
Poor Navy people, so used to cramped spaces they call a wardrobe a room ;)
Not all naval people get cramped spaces to live in.
Sixty years ago, yah it was quite cramped in submarines, and serving on tin cans. Today's navy is a far cry, since the US Navy gets the best quality food, than the other armed forces.
However the Air Force still haves to contend with cramped accommodations. They don't even get a toilet. And if you're an astronaut you're stuffed into a deth trap on top of a potential bomb, that could explode in a huge conflagration. Then your goosey is cooked.
Retired marine specialist and I can verify this ... it's on the Royal Danish navy ships aswell.
I visited HMS Victory over 10 years ago. I crossed the walkway to get on board and paused before stepping over. I rested my hand on the hull and wept. That's what Victory and Nelson mean to an Englishman, it's either in your blood or not. My wife and 2 kids were quite touched. Far from rewriting history to suit today's narrative, we should embrace our heritage and celebrate our patriotism because we have already learned the lessons.
Early 00’s Russell Crowe was awesome. Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind, Master & Commander and Cinderella Man, back to back. Incredible range.
Absolutely. And in "Insider" (1999) Crowe was marvellous, too.
And A Good Year ! It was brilliant 😊
Ya he was that decade's Costner, then Leo
arguably the greatest stretch of performances in movie history
LA Confidential should be mentioned too
I used to show this film to my students. The film deals with leadership----the pitfalls, perils, and even thrills of being a leader. At first, the students couldn't understand what the film had to do with leadership; then, as the movie unfolded, they were all hooked. I still think this movie is one of my all-time TOP 5 movies. Good discussion here!
This is such a fabulous film. I love it. Return if the King only won oscars because it was the last of the series, it was by far the worst of the series. So, a real shame this film did not get more love at the time. This has so much attention to detail and research behind it (yes, from the books). Just fabulous.
@@TheSilvercue Glad you see the quality here.
Absolutely agree. Watched it with my kids a couple of times. It does bring home some good messages.
Try some of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series for a good read. Nearly all would make arresting films.
FlexibleFlyer absolutely! I was US Air Force , 26 years, and the leadership lessons in this masterpiece were amazing. Aubrey's speech before the final battle was one of the finest monologues ever IMO.
"To wives and sweethearts, may they never meet."
That is an old toast but it never loses its humor.
Now that's sailoring...
"Filthy buggers always going from port to port"
What a line, excellently delivered.
I can never watch that scene without mentally lifting my glass /coffee mug and going "to husbands and young under-gardeners".
As a former US Coast Guard officer and one of the lucky few to have sailed a square rigger for an extended time, I can say this film is one of the truest depictions of life’s aboard such a ship. Cramped quarters, scrubbing decks, celestial navigation, unending maintenance, constant danger, and on and on. I’ve watched this movie countless times and it never gets old. As you rightly stated, every actor was perfect in their roles but Crowe and Bettany were devinely inspired. Oh how I wish this had led to a series.
You did not crew aboard the USS Constitution? The kind of heavy frigate ship being depicted as a french ship in this movie.
@@N1Zer0 I'm not the OP, but I would guess that he is talking about the US Coast Guard training cutter Eagle, a three-masted barque and the only active sailing ship in the US military.
I sailed the captain Scott 1976. Three mast square rigger out of fort William. I agree with you. Every time I watch this it takes me back. The constant bang of the ropes, the salt spray. The peace.
Acheron in the movie literally is the digitized USS Constitution for the CGI shots.
Uss constitution?
This is one of my comfort movies. I absolutely love it and have always fought off people who claim it’s boring. It broods, it waits, but the payoffs are intense!
Imagine complaining that a film about life on a wooden sailing boat on patrol in the Pacific during the early 19th Century that it broods and waits. If anything it’s actually a compliment. That’s like complaining that your water consists of hydrogen and oxygen.
Being bored by this just implies a low intellect
People who think it's boring were raised on Michael Bay movies.
The entire sequence when the top mast breaks and the sailor, Will, goes overboard…is one of the best things I’ve seen on film. How it all unfolded…up to the decision Captain Jack had to make to save the crew. The last shot of a massive wave taking Will while he still swims for his life knowing he is doomed to drown at sea is epic. They leave it off screen and to your imagination, just like the crew. At that point you’ve been invited in as a participant in the adventure rather than just a voyeur. I couldn’t possibly rate another film higher than this masterpiece. It is the gold standard.
"They leave it off screen and to your imagination, just like the crew. At that point you’ve been invited in as a participant in the adventure rather than just a voyeur."
This is one of the most subtle yet effective tools of film-making: Deciding when to NOT show something and inviting the imagination of the viewer to take over. And it unfortunately is a bit of a lost art, now that ever more polished CGI baits directors into showing everything.
It is also one of the reasons, why the first Alien movie (and to some extent also the second one) were so effective. They showed their iconic movie monsters so sparingly, that the expectation of them lurking around was all the more powerful for it. And in regards to the first movie, it is very ironic that it was encouraged to be done that way, only by accident. For Ridley Scott was simply not pleased with how the rubber suit sequences with the Alien looked, so he scratched most of them, producing the environment driven tension almost by accident.
The weevil joke gets me every single time.
It's exceedingly pleasing that a species of lesser weevil - Daisya obriani - is named after Patrick O'Brian for this joke.
The lesser of two weaviles hee hee
@@billyruffian1426 Don't forget the Theognete maturini and the Theognete weiri, the latter of which was named after the director of the movie, Peter Weir. All three of which are Lesser Weevils.
@@WanderingYankee And Maturini for the good doctor. Brilliant. I learned something today.
He who would pun would pick a pocket!! :D
'The bird is flightless?'
'Yes.'
'Well it's not going anywhere.'
IM SO MAD WE HAVENT RETURNED YET 😭😭😂😂
I seem to remember seeing reported somewhere, that Charlton Heston made a comment that the humour in O’Brian’s Aubrey/ Maturin books is what set them apart from so many others in that genre.
I’m a former military guy, so I recognized the brilliance and realism the first time I saw it. I thought it was magnificent. Thanks for reminding me about it!
It’s a crime that there hasn’t been a sequel.
This is like asking for a sequel to titanic or goodfellas
@@slugmaster64 have you seen the movie or read the books? They just captured a ship at the end of the movie, there’s tons of content left.
@@drewski5730 I’ve seen the movie dozens of times. Just because they leave the ending possibly open doesn’t mean there needs to be a sequel. Do you work for Disney or something? Lol
Unless its a preplanned trilogy or something... I am so sick of people making sequels because the first one was good. It's like explaining a joke.
@@sooperd00p it’s a series of books though…. 😂
I come back to this movie every 1-2 years and its absolutely one of my favorites
This was one incredible movie that I felt could have had a sequel.
I do the exact same thing. Tonight was the two year rewatch!
Just watched it last night.....🤯 Why is this popping up on my newsfeed.
Omg,..we need a club...😁👍👍
I come back every 8 or 9 months
It’s so refreshing to see that I am not the only person who is deeply in love with this film. It’s not just a “movie on a ship.”
"Black Powder Adventure" on some boat 😁
You are not alone mate
@@boopeshboopathi2960 🤝
It is a Man's Man's movie,. Any & every real men I've ever known has been fascinated by it . Sadly I have yet to screen it to a woman who cares for it
@@DavidDiaz-zp4hu my wife actually really digs it.
As a man that commanded men/soldiers, as a father of sons, as a leader of youth, and just as a man making a way in a challenging world, this film hits every right note to teach timeless lessons of duty, of love for your fellows, and about leadership. Crowe’s acting is unsurpassed. He is Jack Aubrey.
Big dad comment vibes
What was the giveaway? ✊@@Bear-ow9gy
Hope your not a white knight with the ladies. You don't want to position yourself in that slot . That's a bad place....
Just one lady. @@nap871
nothing wrong with a real white knight or two. They are in short supply.@@nap871
That last scene, with the ship changing course, the panoramic view of the ocean with its target ship at sight, plus the music. It is superb.
Wait a sec. Pippin is in both movies.
You mean Bonden :-)
Must have been a busy year for him
"Damn, you've got good eyes."
Dude is in two amazing films at once.
Fool of a Took!
“The simple truth is, not all of us become the men we once hoped we might be." Words that hit hard and always stuck with me, especially when judging another.
I love how the error in judgement rests on what man you *hoped to be* and not who you are now.
I think none of us can ever do _that,_ excepting suicide bombers and wing suit flyers.
…or ourselves 😣
This is probably my favorite line out of the movie.
Well, this may be true and yet, what we had once hoped to be, in our impetuous youth, full of energy, passion but lacking in the wisdom that only time and experience can bring, our needs and desires then are but distant and strange places. I do not wish to now be what I once hoped for but to find peace within myself and look for the kindness in others. I never felt that more than now. I am not disappointed to have not become an 'astronaut', more grateful to have discovered contemplation and appreciation of life's simple pleasures.
Master And Commander was one of the best movies to come out in a long time. It's certainly one of my favorites that I watch whenever it's on.
It's one of my favorite films of all time. The gritty realism, the music, the remaining elements of the Age of Discovery in Maturin's finding of the new species, the battle of wills and wits between Aubrey and the French captain... and, as you say, the cinematography is museum quality, as in you could put some of the frames in this movie alongside some of the greatest naval art in the world and it would not lessen that wall. Did I mention the music? Especially the captain and the doctor's duet!
funny how Aubrey takes inspiration from the camouflaged aphid to disguise the boat as a whaling ship, Maturin tells Aubrey that in actuality he is the predator, only for the captain of the Acheron to disguise himself as the ships surgeon to evade capture by Aubrey. The subtlety in the writing is a master class.
I completely missed that! Thanks for pointing it out!
That was accidental, no Frenchman would be that cowardly.
You're thinking of English aristocrats dressing as women to escape The Titanic...
@@Johnconno lol no they didn't..
You're thinking of Bruce Ismay, Ships owner, who is *one* person (aristocratS?) - of whom it is known _didn't_ dress as a woman to escape
Hollywood fiction is much more interesting than the facts though, eh?
@@unbearifiedbear1885 You're forgetting how rich they were, at least 80 Tory politicians threw their maids overboard then dressed up and boarded lifeboats.
The Americans were even worse, a party of millionaire midgets pretended to be children.
Imagine.
@@Johnconno 😂😂😂 *what?!*
Sources please
This movie was the single best time I ever had at the movie theaters.
Fuckin eh I wish I had seen it in theatres
well you should have seen Star Wars when it came out...it changed your life
Honestly, I wasn't that much of a fan of the movie when I watched it theaters. I liked it but it didn't really blow me away. It took a second viewing at home to change my opinion about it.
@@bnelkin I Did One Night So Glad I Did!🤗⛵⚓🌅🇬🇧🇫🇷
Ive watched Lord of the Rings twice. Ive watched Master and Commander 4 times. That says everything about their relative quality.
I bet it was even better in theatre. Im jealous.
I think Peter Weir was a master at making these quiet masterpieces of films. Films that are absolute bangers that just don’t seem to get the recognition they deserve. This, Gallipoli, Witness, Mosquito Coast, Fearless, etc
I would tend to agree with you about Weir, but I think that quietness, as you put it, was the thing that held him back. I can't put my finger on it exactly, but despite watching and enjoying almost anything I have seen made by him, they never blow me away. He was consistantly B+ and seemed to promise tipping over into an A, but never quiet made it. All that said, his consistancy pees all over many modern directors I could mention. I'd rather live in a world where Weir was making movies than Zach Snyder, for example! :)
It's his refusal to indulge in Hollywood cliches and spectacle. His strong suit is people bonding in nonspectacular ways--like the Amish grandfather who tells his grandson violence is "not their way" and the baddies are ultimately defeated by being surrounded by all the "witnesses" in the community, not the guys with the guns. @@davidlean1060
@@davidlean1060I'm Australian and so likely biased, but Peter Weir very much speaks to the Australian worldview in the way he presents his stories, and his stillness is something that comes from the way we relate to the bush and our colonial heritage. It's a common theme across many Australian artists and writers in contrast to the brash, bravado face that we often put on for the world ala crocodile Dundee/Steve Irwin/Mad Max movies.
@@DJSockmonkeyMusic I'm not sure we are making the same point. My point is Weir is good, indeed he's very very good, but despite liking almost everything I have see him make, he never blew me away. I don't think of a Weir film in the way I think of Michael Mann's Heat, or Kubrick's movies. That said, you have to tip your cap at his consistancy.
And what's wrong with being known for Mad Max movies?! The Aussie made movies are still the best. Fury Road is, for me anyway, a pale imitation of The Road Warrior.
@@davidlean1060 exactly, and I'm saying "yeah, he does that deliberately"
He's not trying to blow you away. Hes a filmmaker who will gently move you instead, sometimes very deeply, but always quietly and gently.
Of course, it's just my opinion. But for me, it very much reflects Australian culture and sensibilities. Not in the brash "travelling Aussie" way that most people expect from us, but in the quiet and stillness of a people who were thrown away by their homeland and found themselves in paradise.
So yeah, I'm not arguing with you at all. I'm just trying to add my understanding of the context of Peter Weirs film career and, ya know, Gallipoli, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Walkabout, that results in The Truman Show.
And yes, mad Max is awesome. I'm just say that's not all we are down here. Were also kind smart, sometimes, and very philosophical, if there's enough beer.
One of the most amazing movies I’ve ever seen and was worthy of every Oscar. One of Russell Crowe‘s best movies. I've watched this movie at least 10 times and will continue to watch it for the rest of my life. It was an incredible movie.
To be fair to the creators of Pirates of the Caribbean, Master and Commander had a whole series of beautifully written novels as its source, while Pirates had a theme park ride.
Fun fact about the Pirates movies though: Their scripts were originally written as adaptations of the Monkey Island videogame series, which is mostly absurd comedy. Different movies with completely different intentions.
@@MarauderNL Spot on.
@@MarauderNL Which goes full circle though because Ron Gilbert, creator of the Monkey Island game series was a big fan of that amusement ride, also referenced with the ending where it turns out they were just children in an amusement park.
LOL!! That is a fair point, sir.
@@MarauderNL crikey Monkey Island, not many will remember that , must have been late 80's. A classic game.
This is probably one of the best three movies that I have ever seen. I think about it often. I can smell the sweat, humidity, blood and filth. I can feel the anxiety, worry and lastly relief and physical pain. It's a total masterpiece in every way. I felt like I was there on deck with them.
What are the other 2?
@@tomfurstyfield
The original Dune, Patton. Just my opinion of course. And yours?
Read the books. So good.
When I saw this movie I came to the same conclusion: this is a Masterpiece. Unfortunately, it came out in the same year of Pirates of the Caribbean and Kill Bill. Those movies sucked out the oxygen of all the other movies that year. Or perhaps because it was a unappreciated and misunderstood piece of filmmaking. I am glad that somebody else besides me think it is a Masterpiece. This is one of the best three movies I have seen. The other two The Godfather, and Patton. And speaking of Patton, George C. Scott perhaps the best actor of his generation (in the same league as James Cagney), is another case of an unappreciated icon in the movie business.
@@mikeburch2998So glad you asked. The English Patient and Atonement, but of course. 😂
Watching the captain perfectly balance being a good soldier for his country, a good leader for his men, a good friend for the doctor, a good example for the young officers, all as he accomplishes what he does in the movie (trying to avoid any spoilers) it’s soooo frickin good. A perfect man movie
One of my all-time favorite movies. Bought it at a yard sale never having heard of it. Now I've watched it probably 20 times.
So it was not only me who found it underrated.
There are many of us who would agree.
@@EmpireoftheMind I couldn't possibly count how many times i watched it ever since i first saw it as a child.
I was always wondering what does it mean that the name of the french captain remains unknown and why was he chasing the Surprise...
@@EmpireoftheMind Yes There Are Many More Still!🙂⛵⚓🌅🇬🇧
Are you biased because Octavian from Rome is in it? Just kidding, but I always liked Max Pirkis in both Rome and Master and Commander!
Lord of the Rings is vastly overrated IMO. This film is one of those that in time will see a growth in appreciation on the part of viewers who really WATCH films. The best thing I can say for Peter Jackson is gave the world Wingnuts
www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.wingnutwings.com/&ved=2ahUKEwiawZ-ygLXvAhVEAp0JHSn0AswQFjAAegQIGhAC&usg=AOvVaw1r9tR9GI1GALKs0xW9ug_Y
Someone already said it in the comments below but it needs repeating: This movie does what all great movies do.... It transport you to a different time and place then leaves you wanting to stay.
And thank the movie gods in the Black Tower or above, there was no sequel. An immaculate film, just as it is
100%!!!
This movie made me feel like I was part of the crew.
If you really loved the setting, you should read the books the movie is based on by Patrick O'Brian
@@tobiasmayandia2861 Thats the best part! As wonderful as the movie is, the books are exponentially better. I believe we can see and understand better utilizing our 'mind's eye'.
Ive read the whole series twice and each time it took a couple years to get through them all. They require quite a commitment time wise.
"Now tell me that wasn't fun!" I loved how Captain Aubrey got down to the teenager's level with that statement and his enthusiasm for it! You could just feel that he loved the life of adventure and wanted to share and instill that same love in the young sailor! 😉💖🙃👌😎
For me it is a classic. I can watch it over and over again and not get bored. The sound effects puts me onboard the ship and the cinematogrophy is absolute. I wish more movies are made like this.
So right.
I find myself that way with the books, I've read each of them three or four times, some more.
movies like this will never be made again, unless we make them ourselves
As a Navy Squadron commander, I took all 200 members to watch this movie. The examples of leadership are simply fantastic and deserving of analysis. This review clearly brings them out.
Thank you and your Squadron for your service. Free people everywhere care about you as you have cared for us.
@@johnmaher9462 Unfortunately there's no honor left in the military today. You should look into government enforced terrorism, unlawful invasions, genocide and atrocities comitted in the name of and abstract concept called democracy. What a terrible shame on the so-called civilized world to turn it's defenders into enraged criminals. One can only imagine the heart pain those people in the military which know this must feel. Too bad honor is so easily dismissed by a handful of money. Greed-driven madness is rampant.
You're from a different nation state to me. And I have enough historical and cultural knowledge to recognise the insults provided below. Chiefly the thanks. Well done. Aubrey-Maturin provides a complex terrain of command problems across Mid to Captain issues. The additional political domain raised by Maturin fully develops Captaincy issues. And the problems raised supply an environment fit for discussion by technical experts. What I would like to raise is Aubrey's absolute fidelity to two issues:
Aubrey is absolutely faithful to the commands of civil authority.
and at the same time
Aubrey is absolutely faithful to the law of war.
People normally misestimate Aubrey as a thug, an expert of commanding men, a tory dilletante, an idiot of no politics. This is not true. Aubrey is a better dissimulator than Maturin is: Aubrey obliterates himself for the good of the service. Aubrey takes Stephen quite seriously, more seriously than even Stephen recognises. But Jack is relatively strict about this: his rare political flourish beyond orders is solely and only ever in line with what is demanded of him by civil authority.
The film is quite good in representing the novels accurately, (Down plays the heroin addiction, and Maturin's need to serve folly ashore in marriage), but the film is *excellent* at staking the argument out for a state which has rule of law and a military subject to civil authority. So it is a brilliant teaching film not only for "what motivates men" but for the far more difficult "whom should motivate for what while not breaching the law of war."
>below. Obv. above. Well done for using it as a teaching tool.
@@FictionCautious Today? So you're saying the military had honor during the reign of the British and Spanish Empire? Islamic Caliphates? Various Chinese dynasties?
Smh. Everyone complains about today but people forget about history and the heinous atrocities committed in the past in the name of peace.
You have a Chinese name and you are calling out the U.S. military? LMAO.
One thing that I need to mention is, THANK YOU to all the riggers that made this possible! Both ships in this film are real tall ships used as props, such a beautiful movie but could not have been done without the use of real vessels to add depth to the immersion of the film. I am proud to say (and honestly it’s really interesting how much work goes into the rigging) but a gentleman who I sailed with on tall ships, and learned a lot from in my sailing days was in fact one of the master riggers that made these ships sail worthy for the film. Thank you to the actors and editors and director that made this movie reality but also thank you to the amazing seamanship and rigging skills that these ladies and gentlemen brought to the table to make the film just a chefs kiss of a masterpiece
The lesser of two weevils bit is one of the most naturalistic punchlines to any character interaction I have ever seen. Completely agree about the acting of every cast member, and the tone and progression of every bit of conversation is just pristine.
Buddy of mine is a traditional boat builder in Bristol, England, and he worked on the ships in this movie. If you are ever in Bristol, stop by Rolt’s Boatyard and tell him how much you loved his work. He specializes in “shipshape and Bristol fashion.”
I live in bris, might have to do this at some point!
Wow! I love tall ships. I’ll definitely look up his workshop. If I ever go to England I may drop by it. Your a good friend and promoter.
The ship used in this movie was originally the H.M.S. Rose replica ,Bought by Hollywood from the city of Bridgeport ct.in 2001. I know cause i worked on the restoration.
I'll always be grateful to _Master and Commander_ for introducing me to Boccherini's music and to Patrick O'Brien's writing.
What is especially impressive is that Crowe and Bettany both learned how to play the violin and cello.. as a violinist of 45 years playing, it is an extremely difficult instrument to learn in adulthood, most players start very young, such is the demand on muscle memory. And Bocherinni, whilst not the most challenging, is bloody tricky for semi competent players, let alone beginners.
This was very much in line with the book where Jack is described as an 'enthusiastic' player 😃
@@HarryFlashmanVC,
First time I'd seen a violin being played like a ukulele, unironically.
Same here, same here!
I used to think that Bach is the only one worth listening when it came to cellos, but there came Boccherini, and challenged it all.
@@fuferito playing pizzicato under the arm used to me far more common. These days most players play pizzicato under their chins because most pieces written after the baroque period with pizzicato invariably require the rapid deployment of the bow without time to pick it up or stick the fiddle under the chin.
I have, however, never seen a cello being played like a bass guitar!!
@@HarryFlashmanVC,
I need to attend more chamber music concertos.
Seen this film 100+ times seriously. Had dvd and watched it on repeat for year + and i still go back to it. Its just perfect and a historical film like no other
A few words only to say that I have watched this movie a thousand times and I think your review is impeccable. Very good. Bravo.
A rarity in modern cinema, a film for adults. The choice of Bocherinni's music was a stroke of genius
One of the best recent cinematic sound tracks for sure.
The music fitted the film beautifully. It helpt transport you to that time and period perfectly.
@@1funkyflyguy I was first exposed to this film as a by my father when I was 7 or 8 and I already had an interest in history so this film was a great instrument to further my curiosity in history and and the lessons that are taught in this film have stuck with me and are things I regularly reflect on. By far this film is in the top ten of my favorite films.
@@1funkyflyguy I also agree about the music.
i was bored out of my mind when i watched when i was a kid i might rewatch it
One thing you missed was the marvelous music score that accompanied this masterpiece.
What's brilliant is it uses actual music from the time period.
@@markkringle9144 I’ve played all of these pieces, in fact used one of them in my wedding. Specifically the piece when Aubrey is contemplating going to the Galapagos for his friend. It’s from Corelli’s Christmas Concerto.
I love the fact that both Crowe and Bettany took lessons to understand how to handle the instruments properly. So great.
Didn't Iva Davies (icehouse fame) do much of the soundtrack?
@@blasterman789 much of the original score yes, but there is a lot of traditional baroque music in there too.
@@TheGloriousLeader Although one of the major themes used was based on Thomas Tallis sure enough but actually composed in the early 20th C by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Still watching it every year. My brother and I freaking love it!
nothing short of a brilliant portrayal of Patrick O'Brian's story. Russel Crowe deserves huge credit for his thoughtful, insightful representation of Jack Aubrey, the fallible but successful ship master of O'Brian's sea and navy sailing ship epics. As a sailor, was always impressed how Jack would win battles by out maneuvering his opponents on the water ...expertly shown in M &C. Top marks, in fact in my book a classic!
Master and Commander has my favorite example of "Show, don't tell."
There's a scene, after the first battle with the Acheron, where Captain Aubrey brings Blakeney, who is recovering from a wound that costs him his arm, a copy of Lord Nelson's book. As they're discussing it's contents, you can see Russell Crowe holding back emotions. And after he walks away, Blakeney turns to a page showing a drawing of Nelson, which prominently displays Nelson's amputated arm.
Did you catch the reference that Blakeney is the son of the Scarlet Pimpernel? When talking to Maturin about Blakeney's condition he mentions Blakeney's parents by name and the father is Sir Percy Blakeney, i.e. the Scarlet Pimpernel of Baroness Orczy's book of the same name.
Oooooo
@@peterlovett5841 This movie has layers upon layers
@@peterlovett5841 Oh, I never spotted that, and I've watched the movie many many times!
And during the episode the men are repairing the blasted right arm of the Surprise' figurehead
You have to give R Crowe his due credit for this one. He nailed it.
"There can only be one rebel on this ship"
I've never really liked him, except in Romper Stomper. I thought Paul Bettany was excellent and their on-screen rapport was good. To be honest I've never read the books, so perhaps Crowe nailed the character of Aubrey, I accept that. Loved the film, love the era. Loved the music and the duets. Loved the balance of fighting scenes, action and discovery like when they sailed into the Galapagos. I also love The Bounty, superb acting.
@@drey8 I read the books and Crowe did a nice job.
Better that gladiator
@@drey8 He's always been one of my favorite actors.
I think this is -- by far -- the best piece of film criticism I have ever seen.
The text works perfectly on its own, yet the addition of the clips goes beyond perfection!
Usually I avoid any review that goes beyond 4-5 minutes, or get bored after that long. With this discussion I didn’t even notice the time until I realised it was drawing to a close. I felt that I wanted more ... but as it concluded, knew it was, in fact, the best possible length!
Can you tell ... I am blown away by this review and will -- this very day -- desperately seek out this film.
Thank you very very much!!!
I have read every book in Patrick O'Brien's Aubrey-Maturin series at least 3 times and this movie did the best job of adapting a book to film that I have ever seen.
Shout out to Billy Boyd being in both of these masterpieces!
Was just thinking that! 😀
Good point
Billy Budd? Terry's not in this one, cold feet.
Can't swim.
Ur right!!
@@mrsMOmiles I know! Where d'you want to meet? 🖤
One of the greatest nautical films of all time, and definitely one of my favorites. This film is CRIMINALLY underrated. As said, it's not for everyone, but any history buff NEEDS to see this. And I also would love to see another film about Lucky Jack.
Ever see Horatio hornblower
There’s a prequel in the works!
Probably won’t see Crowe or Bettany in it unfortunately, but still, reason to be excited!
Too bad it was released unfinished, I really hate a story left unfinished and this was the worst
A gentleman I heard said he recognised the waters of the Galapagos as he had sailed there and they were unmistakeable, details like that and the fact they actually went there for filming says much.
@@freefall9832The story was the Surprise vs the Acheron. It WAS finished.
it is very interesting, once you've decided to dive into the world of Patrick O'Brian to keep reading books after books, submerging yourself into both the Napoleonic wars and the intricacies of Maturin and Aubrey's friendship, especially to see that O'Brian's beloved character was depicted beyond perfection in this movie. masterpiece , truly!
I talk about this movie with every film fan I know. SO UNDERRATED! My favourite film of that whole decade, hands down. It certainly has never gotten the recognition it deserves.
I have the blu ray that came out ages ago but it needs a proper re-release and not just by anyone. Criterion would do a spectacular job with it if it was ever to happen.
“I know it sounds absurb, and were it from another man, you'd cry out ‘Oh, what pitiful stuff’ and dismiss it as mere enthusiasm. But with Nelson... you felt your heart glow.” An absolute masterpiece.
I especially like how after Aubrey says that to Peter(?) the Midshipman, Peter looks at Aubrey in a way that indicates he's feeling the same way about Aubrey in that moment the way that Aubrey felt about Nelson.
@@carlosrvra William Blakeney ,the midshipman who in the film had his lower arm amputated
“Stephen, the bird is flightless? It isn’t going anywhere.”
Now thats how you write a sentence ! Patrick O'Brian's prose is just delightful on so many levels.
I worked on this film. It was amazing. I was there for the last month of shooting and was in the big battle at the end. Mr. Crowe is one cool guy! Peter Weir and his family were great!
Cool! Thanks for sharing. Any fun anecdotes?
I am quite envious. Congratulations to you sir
Awesome.. if I had to have a favourite film I think this would be it.. or fear and loathing in las Vegas
I watched this movie in theater with my Dad and it has always been one of my favorites
I have read every Patrick O Brian's book. He would have loved this film, albeit its slight mix of stories. The acting, Crowe is great but carried along by a very good cast. Filmography and attention to historical detail is sublime. Its a joy of a film to watch over and over again!!
One of the saddest facts about Master and Commander is that there was not only no sequel, but that if one were attempted today, it would be hard to bring back the talent that created this masterpiece.
Not to mention they'd find a way to shoehorn in a black trans woman that would undoubtedly be the main character.
@@borrago IIRC Jack being rather portly later in his life and career is mentioned many times in the books :P
It was too expensive to do sequels. But, too bad.
@B. Tacktheritrix Yes, you are totally right, it is impossible to make a big budget male-cast historical movie these days. That's why for example Sam Mendes' 1917 had a black trans-woman lead... oh wait, it didn't. At least it bombed at box office... oh wait, it didn't. But at least critics hated it... oh wait, they didn't.
@B. Tacktheritrix agreed. No women? Outrageous!
Peter Weir is one of the most underrated movie directors period. All His filmography pass the test of time.
Weir is wonderful. He directed the Year of Living Dangerously, which I love.
Dead Poets Society is one of my all-time favorites. And the first movie that I saw from Peter Weir was Witness, which was also very impressive.
This was my dads favorite movie. He could never comprehend how much i valued him watching this with me. Bonding with me that one time.
Everything this guys says about this movie and than some. It truly is a masterpeice blending history and hollywood in a way we only get to see glimpses of, but they keep the pace for the entire film
The movie battle scenes make you feel like you're there with them. It's by far one of the greatest films I've ever witnessed.
""I have never met a dead man who bought me a drink"
"And i've never met a live one that you bought one for, neither".
I love the part when Aubrey explained the strong structure of the Acheron to his officers and ended it with “...the modern times we live in”.
"What a fascinating modern age we live in." I know it well, because we use the expression in my house often.
the surprise has a bluff bough lovely lines... She's in her prime.
To be fair, things _were_ changing rapidly around that time. Steam engines already were a thing and were scaling up rapidly.
@@Trazynn steam engines, the industrial revolution, the French Revolution, and not too long after the birth of railways, telegrams, rapid advances in gunpowder technology... Truly, a time of great change
@@jaybrown4753 Yeah I like how the doctor calls the ship a man and then Jack refers to the ship as she.
Let’s take time to appreciate how Pippin managed to sneak himself on board that ship right after the battle for middle earth. ❤
The one piece of awful miscasting in the film. If you know the books, anyone less like Bonden than Billy Boyd is hard to imagine.
As a professor of history, I have seen this film many times. I love it! I really cannot attest to its value as art since I have no academic training in Cinema. However, the historical accuracy of the film simply amazes me. It is the only film I know of that truly explains what it is like to serve on a British Naval Vessel during the Napoleonic Wars. I thank you for your video. I must add that as a former member of the US Army, I would side with "Captain Aubrey" when it comes to military discipline. Again, thank you for your very fine video.
I think it was a great film on every level. Historical . Not boring . The captain and the doctors conversations was excellent intelligent scriptwriting. Of course the acting could not have been better .
Absolutely. It’s hard to think of another film where the acting is more perfect.
@@EmpireoftheMind I have read that the cast spent some considerable time rehearsing their respective roles before the cameras started rolling. I think this contributed greatly to the authenticity that seeps out of every frame, since gun crews rehearsed together so that the choreography of firing a muzzle loading cannon would look authentic, the sail crews rehearsed reefing sails and hauling lines, the officers rehearsed commands and orders, that the actors playing seamen and the officers ate separately, that the actors playing the crew would knuckle their forehead to the actors playing officers, etc. Thanks for this wonderful video. Now I want to watch FSOTW again.
@@kkeelty64 That would explain it: practice makes perfect. If only other films were this dedicated. Thanks, mate!
@@kkeelty64 The crew, when rehearsing also wore different colour shirts depending on their station.
@@marina7592 The attention to detail for creating this world was amazing. Thanks for that!
I love how they incorporated the Napoleonic era debates around government and science into the story. Even though every scene is on a boat, you feel like the movie takes place in a momentous wider historical context. Brilliant stuff.
Boat! Shame on you. She's not a submarine ;-)
It gets that background of debates about political philosophy and about science from the books. I'm not denying the scriptwriters did a terrific job but they had some seriously good and deep books to draw from.
Finally, youtube recommended something rather excellent, nice one
Is it not referred to as their "World of wooden walls" ? It was that.
"every frame a painting" indeed. truely a masterpiece. great cast, acting, script, scenery, camera work, costumes. always enjoy rewatching this film because its so well done.
One of the best movies ever. A masterpiece in leadership. Should be required viewing in all military academies. I watched it as a Lieutenant, taught me a great deal about how real leaders behave.
I love everything about this movie. Every character, the script, the score, the cinematography, the plot…! The film not only takes you back in time but it puts you on the ship amongst the crew right in the middle of the action. Would’ve loved an entire series on Luck Jack !
I'm approaching 40, and I saw this in theaters as a teenager. The film is as impactful to me now as it was then. This is the bar-none best summary of Master and Commander on the internet. Well done, and thank you.
You were very lucky to see it in a theatre. Most youngsters only have those obnoxious and silly 'sound bars' to watch this on their tv. The soundtrack was at least 25% of the movie, sooo realistic!
Same, but I'm a few years behind you yet. It was such a great film to watch in theatres. As I was returning to my seat before the movie began, I passed an elderly gentleman who asked me if this auditorium was for M&C, and I responded that it was. I was struck that a teenager like myself and an old man like him could both enjoy the same movie and that a man of his age still had the passion for movies and history to be able to go out and enjoy it. It's one of my favorite memories of going to the movies.
I saw this film when I was five years old. My father took me to the theater since he knew I loved drawing sailed/ pirate ships, drawing cannon fire, etc. My young mind was blown away by the look and sound of it, and it remains as one is my favorite movies to this day. Nearing 20 years, I will never forget that day with my father.
Same. Absolute masterpiece of a movie.
One of my top 3 movies. Watch my dvd probably at least every 6 months. Incredible film work, acting, story, and soundtrack. Wish for sequel!!!!
YOU NAILED IT. Example, notice when the French vessel first fires as a ghost, and upon playback and slo-mo, you can just make out it's shape in the fog, just as Aubrey does. It does take a replay to see it. Spectacularly done!
A word about the flogging... Aubrey is not just "giving consequences" to a relatively minor breach in discipline, but giving a stern warning to the crew to keep their discontent to a grumbling, and leave the mousy midshipman alone. It doesn't stem from the actual conversation he has with the doctor, he has no concrete facts to point out, but the unsaid threat is there, and he can smell it. The fact that the script and the acting can convey the situation so clearly makes for impeccable storytelling.
Cherry on top you can see that the captain doesn't enjoy punishing but it's still the lesser evil... Spot on acting
Sadly today it would be viewed as unacceptable and problematic
George Washington at one point had a mutiny on his hands. Long story short. He immediately took control of the situation and executed the ringleaders of that mutiny. Ottoman Sultan Suleiman had a mutiny on his hands when his elite troops rebelled against him and ransacked the capital city. He too executed the ringleaders of the rebellion. Bottom line, when your soldiers get out of order, the first thing a commander MUST DO is get them back in order as quickly as possible! Captain Aubrey knew this too well. Which is why he had that sailor flogged! If Captain Aubrey allowed that infraction go unpunished, more and more sailors would've had no respect for the chain of command. Discipline is the key from turning a military force into an undisciplined mob.
Also, it wouldnt have been just a minor infraction. Public drunkenness on a ship at that time was serious as it could impact your duties which could spell disaster in combat. Him being drunk would have just made it worse
There is a severe difference between a state and a sailing ship at that time. A sailing ship is a maschine and the seamen are the gearwheels. Each must work in each situation as required, even if it means danger for the own life, exactly as prescribed. You cannot discuss in a storm whether somebody shall go on the mast with a 90% death risk. It must be done immediately since otherwise the ship is lost with nearly certainty. Ships could work at that time only on that basis, absolute obedience to any order. And the only way to achieve that, obedience even facing the own death, was brutal and consequent enforcement of disciplin in any moment aboard, particularly considering the large number of men in very limited space. You have in no other profession the necessity of obedience as far-reaching, the closest is mining. Even today, we expect from a seaman that he risks his life in the worst case for the ship, not only considering the lives aboard, but also the extreme value of the ship. However, today we would not really blame a seaman, as last man aboard, that he does not risk his life to save the abandoned ship. In old time, the chance to survive in the ship, if saved, were much better than in the rescue boats. Therefore they tried to save the ship by all means. It was of course extremely unfair to put the burden of the wish to travel goods or war over sea on these poor guys. But in the situation on the ship, there was no alternative.
You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned “different mindset” in a historc era. Too many movies use a modern mindset for characters in historical dramas. They can’t truly sympathize and dig into the minds of our ancestors, or other people’s ancestors.
I imagine a modern person without much knowledge of the past might have a hard time understanding this. Before MaC the Hornblower series are in my view playing with the whole mindset "problem". have a look at this passage
Captain James Sawyer:
Yes, a slave rebellion.
They're uprising against
their Spanish masters
started by that damn dangerous
French Revolutionary nonsense--
liberty, fraternity, stupidity.
Captain James Sawyer:
You're not a revolutionary,
are you, Mr. Hornblower?
Indeed, I'm not, sir. (hints of dishonor and disgust in the tone) (Today revolutionary is more and more used as a positive thing)
Captain
No, we know how
to deal with them
in His Majesty's ships,
don't we?
Ooh interesting. Hornblower has been recommended to me by some English friends. Yeah, it would be hard for modern audiences to sympathize. But who knows? If done right. It could make audiences become interested in learning about the period in question. Of course, I don’t think all stories should have to be like this. Just would appreciate more historical movies tried harder with the writing. Thanks for the excerpt. I know I should check out hornblower, and sharpe as well.
@@abrahemsamander3967 I guess it's also a question of style and preference. Hornblower is highly recommended, The first part Part 1-4 is kinda the first "season" if you will, was done a few years earlier than the 5-8 part. The 2nd season has much bigger budget i think. Personally I like it to be as accurate as possible. I suspect it's because English is my 2nd language. If this film was from the Acherons point of view I would need subtitles or listen to broken Frenglish :D
Queens Gambit, as great as it was, really had this problem.
This is spot on, both your comment and in the video; it's overwhelmingly prevalent in todays productions. It's interesting because we can now dress shows up with the correct costumes and mise-en-scene and therefore get visually very close to how things may have looked, but it is utterly broken by the modern mindset injected into every character; you are no longer able believe you are looking into the past, you are acutely aware that you're watching something akin to a school play with all the fun of dressing up and nicely sanitised for the audience of the current era.
My Dad showed me this movie years ago. It still sticks with me as being utterly unique.
As a lifelong sailor and former Coast Guard petty officer, this is definitely one of those movies I've watched so many times I can almost recite the lines along with the actors as they go. Great film
Master and Commander is one of the smartest movies every made in my opinion. The dialogue and interactions with the crew is so realistic. The scene where Jack Aubrey asks Stephen what the crew is saying about him after he had to cut the line freeing the mast that was dragging the ship down was so well written. A great movie even by today's standards.
Today's movie production standards are the worst they've been in the history of cinema.
@@coolnamebro agreed
Totally agree. In my list of top films, this is near, if not at, the top.
The opening scene between the two battleships is one of the greatest battle scenes in film history.
No. Because there's a better battle scene at the end of the movie.
The moment when the Acheron fires through the fog, with the reports of her guns muted and soft, just a whisper accompanied by the glow.
That is a beautiful moment.
I'm apologising in advance for this, but as a Naval history geek they weren't battleships, that term wasn't in use at the time, rather the term used was 'ships of the line', meaning ships that would serve in the line of battle, generally 1st, 2nd and 3rd rates. That said, neither the Acheron or HMS Surprise would have been considered ships of the line, carrying only a single main gun deck they would have been frigates, 5th or 6th rate depending on the number of guns. I'll wander off back into my corner now, thank you for your time.
@@gwtpictgwtpict4214 haha! Nice. I'm only a film geek so that is where i am coming from. I stand corrected on the term.
That was such a great video! Thank you for the quality content!
They did an excellent job of emulating what it would have been like for both the captain and crew during those times... Viewers didn't appreciate all the work that went into creating it... Glad to see that it's finally getting the recognition that it deserves...
Former Navy guy here, this was a time when the men were made of iron and the ships were of wood.
I don't own a lot of movies, but this is one that can be found in my home.
I was so glad to hear that this movie won for Sound Effects. One of the things no one realized was how a cannon of the period onboard a ship aurally sounded. They actually recorded the sounds of vintage cannons and used them in the movie. The piercing, buzzing sound of the battle scenes was totally authentic and had never been used before for a navel battle scene.
There was a sort of a sound board extra feature on DVD. You could pick a position and a cannon sound was played.
I've been commenting on other peoples posts just this-glad I'm not the only one! Hope you like the film as much as I do!
Great review of a true masterpiece. Thanks for sharing.
.....a glass of wine with you sir. Let's not forget however the author of the stories upon which this visual feast was based. Patrick O'Brian. The dialog, however knotty, comes straight from the books. This has been said before and below, but as a reader, I have to repeat it. A sequel? DESOLATION ISLAND and pull no punches.
Aubrey describing why men fought for Nelson, with the subtext being he was ofc the same sort of leader to his own men, was an incredible scene
This is expounded upon even more in the books after Lord Nelson dies. Trafalgar is mentioned so often in the books and Aubrey so often compares himself to Nelson you can't help but compare the two.
Supremely underrated. The fact that this film didn't get multiple sequels is a travesty.
Time isn't over yet ...
However not sure if you've noticed, but anything realistic or with potential to enlighten or educate usually get scrapped before filming and certainly exclude such from sequels. They want to release fantasy nonsense that portray a world that never has nor will ever exist and reinforce mythological nonsense and fairy tales as real becuase the goal of money and power is to steal everything including reality itself from those whose labor they exist by exploiting. For allowing films such a this to exist may contradict some future propaganda or false narrative they want to release upon us all to take even more from us.
Well sequels aren't always a good thing.
@@lntrt1390 - Amen to that.
There is one in the works last I heard
In the case of tall ships, very few options for opponent's out there 😅
My dad is 74 and this is the only movie I have ever seen him watch, he's seen it at least 100 times
I am a huge LotR fan, and I love 'Master and Commander'. I've long wished they held the release for a year so it could get some Oscars.
Director Frank Capra, in his autobiography, said if you want to win Best Picture Oscar, don't release your best movie the same year as Wizard of Oz, Wuthering Heights, Stagecoach, and Gone With the Wind.
What is also lost is the fact this movie wasn’t going up against LotR 3 for best picture; it was going up against the entire Trilogy.
What I love is that saving Maturin is what ultimately leads to the capture of the Acheron. Both characters have to give up something and cooperate to make the taking of the Acheron possible. Aubrey gives up his strict rules and Maturin gives up his scientific pursuits by leaving his specimens behind. Ultimately it's their meeting of the minds and their cooperation that paves the way for their success.
Yes, this is a great movie. Ironic that Pirates of the Caribbean had multiple sequels while this still has none. But I choose to simply be grateful that this masterpiece was made at all.
One of my favorite moments was during the funeral for the ineffective midshipman who jumped overboard. Someone has helpfully opened the Bible to Jonah. Lucky Jack has more dignity than that, these are after all, the final words to be spoken about a man's life, however humble, and Jack says something like, "we do not all become the man we'd once hoped to be." The empathy and understanding Jack displays in that one moment always strikes me, and as always, the movie doesn't jam it down our throats.
To me, one measure of greatness in leadership, certainly not the only measure, but a measure, is in how one views those below them. It is a sign of real humanity when one tries to have understanding of even the lowest crewman.
The ending and lack of a sequel ruined it for me, I will rewatch the battle scenes though but never the whole movie, it was unfinished
Killick handed the bible to Jack.
I think this movie never needed a sequel. You are dropped into their world for two hours not knowing their life before or after the film. It really doesn’t matter. What matters is your experience when you’re aboard the ship and boy does the movie put you right there. You feel like another crew member witnessing all of it.
Prequel has been announced a few months ago
A prequel film is in development as of 2021!
Brilliant film, brilliantly reviewed! Thank you!
I saw this film as well as "The Lord of the Rings." I loved both. However, "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" is my choice to go back to many times. I also own many of the books by Patrick O'Brian. I bought the DVD and it is my favorite movie. It seemed to me that they combined "Master and Commander" and "The Far Side of the World." I have read and own both books. Patrick O'Brian was a great writer. All of his books about "Lucky Jack Aubrey" and the doctor, naturalist, and spy, Stephen Maturin are wonderful. Thank you for telling everyone how great this film truly is.
Leaving the film at an open ending is the brilliant finale for such a movie. It feels like we jumped on the ship along for a ride and the ship has existed before and the ship continues its duty after. Makes it feel more real.
They had planned, as far as I know, a sequel due to the series of books written. But due to the poor ticket sales, that was obviously scrapped.
Ambiguous endings are always bad. It allows for debates and imagining what happens next, but it leaves the viewers generally unsatisfied as there is no clear conclusion when the credits roll. And if such an ending is done under the assumption of a sequel, then that's just arrogant.
@@Soldier4USA2005 Speak for yourself, I love the ending to this film.
@@jasonfenton8250 That's fine and dandy. But there is a reason why many otherwise amazing movies are described as "that was cool....until the end."
I used to tell everyone I knew about this film. Brilliant to the smallest detail, as you say. So glad others think this is a total masterpiece.
I spent about a year in the tall-ships community, sailing replica ships made to nearly exact specs and let me tell ya, everyone had massive respect for this film. They got as much right as you could even dream to expect from a Hollywood movie.
Russell Crowe never gets his due. Master and Commander and Cinderella man are two of my favorite movies and imo, two of the most underrated movies of all time
As a modern Merchant Mariner, Master and Commander is excruciatingly accurate. The proper vocabulary and terminology is near perfect. I've seen this movie perhaps 20 times and I still catch phrasing that I missed before. Someone really did their research on this. If you don't have a common comprehension on naval terms or early British naval etiquette there is a lot to miss in this film. This film might be the greatest historically accurate film in my lifetime.
Ohh, the use of Vaughan Williams' 'Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis' during the storm scene when the man is set adrift to perish... that is one of the most obscure yet educated and fittingly effective musical choices in all of cinema. It speaks volumes about the whole production, truly.
Hear, Hear! A truly sublime piece of music that is so apt for this scene.
I remember being stricken extra hard by it in the movie as it was the first time I'd ever listened to Vaughan Williams... That scene essentially made me want to be a composer
Excellent point, I had a very visceral response to that scene, also. It’s what introduced me to Vaughan Williams’ music single-handedly. I even listened to a bit of Thomas Tallis as well because of it. If you enjoy vinyl, that record, which also includes Elgar, is wonderful.
Music selection is a big part of Peter Weir's process. Gallipoli, Witness, The Year of Living Dangerously
You know that feeling you get when leaving a cinema and you somehow know you have just seen an outstanding piece of work that will long live in the memory and not be soon forgotten like so many lesser efforts are? Well at my instinctive level I've loved and admired this film ever since I first saw it. But now however, thanks to this masterful example of thoughtful and articulate film criticism , I've gained a better understanding as to WHY a film I've always known was wonderful is so very good. Thank you.
well said, it's the same with me
I was a small kid when it was released and my parents went to see it. I still remember they went to see it because they were so enthusiastic about it. I watched it recently and completely understand why!
Same here.
Tropic thunder
@@jakecollin5499 pfffft!
Great review and explanation! Thanks.
It's one of my all-time favs. All O'Brian's books are masterpieces. And the music...sublime!