Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Name: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, War
Released: November 14, 2003
Duration: 138 min
Rating: 81
Cast: James D'Arcy, Paul Bettany, Russell Crowe

2003

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 42 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 302 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	Your Score
6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 302 Ratings

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Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World

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Movie Details & Credits

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: November 14, 2003 | PG-13

Starring: James D'Arcy, Paul Bettany, Russell Crowe

Summary: Based on author Patrick O'Brian's series of Aubrey/Maturin novels, the film is set during the Napoleonic Wars. Crowe is Captain "Lucky" Jack Aubrey, renowned as a fighting captain in the British Navy, and Bettany is ship's doctor Stephen Maturin. Their ship, the H.M.S. Surprise, is suddenly attacked by a superior enemy. With the SurpriseBased on author Patrick O'Brian's series of Aubrey/Maturin novels, the film is set during the Napoleonic Wars. Crowe is Captain "Lucky" Jack Aubrey, renowned as a fighting captain in the British Navy, and Bettany is ship's doctor Stephen Maturin. Their ship, the H.M.S. Surprise, is suddenly attacked by a superior enemy. With the Surprise badly damaged and much of his crew injured, Aubrey is torn between duty and friendship as he pursues a high-stakes chase across two oceans, to intercept and capture his foe. It's a mission that can make his reputation – or destroy Lucky Jack and his crew. (20th Century Fox)… Expand

Director: Peter Weir

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Drama, War

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 138 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Michael Sragow

When it comes to the oft-doomed genre of seafaring adventure, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a spectacular throwback and a great leap forward. Read full review

100

Dana Stevens

Stupendously entertaining. Read full review

100

Desson Thomson

Isn't just a fabulous seagoing spectacle. It's one for the ages. Read full review

Jami Bernard

As gorgeous and gripping as it is faithful to the spirit of Patrick O'Brian's celebrated series of historical novels. Read full review

James Berardinelli

For those with any interest in 18th and 19th century seafaring or naval warfare, this is a must-see motion picture. For others, it's an enlightening and entertaining experience. Read full review

J.R. Jones

Persuasively re-creates the experience of sailing aboard a British man-o'-war during the Napoleonic era, but its story never attains comparable grandeur. Read full review

Phil Hall

It seems as if every possible cliche and story twist from any seafaring picture of the past 80 years made its way into this flick. Read full review

SEE ALL 42 REVIEWS

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User Reviews

Michaelnj

Dec 18, 2011

First time i've ever experienced disappointment in the judgement of users, what on earth is wrong with you people. This movie is wonderful. It is a beautiful insight in the life on vessels of war during early 17th century. It's aesthetic atmosphere, approach and authentic reality is clearlyFirst time i've ever experienced disappointment in the judgement of users, what on earth is wrong with you people. This movie is wonderful. It is a beautiful insight in the life on vessels of war during early 17th century. It's aesthetic atmosphere, approach and authentic reality is clearly way above the understanding of most mc-users. But i know it's wonderful and inspiring. And the only god damn **** reason people vote 0 is to have an impact. This movie doesn't deserve 0 rating. My god are people damn idiotic and narrow, i can't believe it… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

alejandro970

Sep 4, 2020

The story follows the efforts of a British navy captain to stop the efforts of Napoleon's forces to conquer the seven seas. It's one of Crowe's best performances, with exhilarating battle scenes.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Dobber684

Sep 6, 2010

For all those who gave this film a negative review and for those people wondering about watching it I say this: If you think that more explosions = more fun and you think that Transformers (Good film) and Transformers 2 (Horrible film) are the height of movie making then DO NOT watch thisFor all those who gave this film a negative review and for those people wondering about watching it I say this: If you think that more explosions = more fun and you think that Transformers (Good film) and Transformers 2 (Horrible film) are the height of movie making then DO NOT watch this film. It is NOT a traditional action movie. It is for people who appreciate the art of storytelling and of watching a wonderful script from a classic book series woven into an artfully built crescendo. A story where the characters are not simply 1 dimensional but are given time on screen to build depth so that you truly feel for them when both wonderful and tragic things occur. Some people call this boring. THEY ARE WRONG. They simply have the attention span of a moth. This is a rich & rewarding movie experience for those with patience and a true appreciation for the craft of epic moviemaking.… Expand

10 of 12 users found this helpful102

BrianS

May 20, 2008

People expecting Pirates of the Carribean will be disappointed. M&C is an enthralling, highly realistic depiction of the times and the people, the tactics, and the lives of sailors aboard an 1800s warship. The people saying the movie is "boring" need to come to grips with the fact that they People expecting Pirates of the Carribean will be disappointed. M&C is an enthralling, highly realistic depiction of the times and the people, the tactics, and the lives of sailors aboard an 1800s warship. The people saying the movie is "boring" need to come to grips with the fact that they will only ever like American action movies and leave more rewarding movies to people with the patience to appreciate genuine adventure and realism. I wonder if they also thought Das Boot was boring, as this was basically "Das Boot with sails" and I could hardly come up with a better compliment than that.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Tokyochuchu

Jun 17, 2014

Master and Commander is a lovingly made historical seafaring yarn. The movie contains very strong performances from both Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany. And the ship-to-ship battle scenes are frankly gob-smacking! This is a movie that completely takes you away to another time and place.Master and Commander is a lovingly made historical seafaring yarn. The movie contains very strong performances from both Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany. And the ship-to-ship battle scenes are frankly gob-smacking! This is a movie that completely takes you away to another time and place. Excellent stuff.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Mahmus

Sep 25, 2020

My main conplaint is that t feels like a series of subplots rather than one cohesive plot.

One subplot in particular involving a man being punished for insubordination, while not bad by any means, feels really disconected from the already very loosely tied together story. The mostMy main conplaint is that t feels like a series of subplots rather than one cohesive plot.

One subplot in particular involving a man being punished for insubordination, while not bad by any means, feels really disconected from the already very loosely tied together story.

The most interesting of these subplots involves the doctor played by Paul Bettany and his honestly very adorable quest to study the animals of the Galápagos Islands. He was by far the most interesting character and his scenes with Russel Crowe are some of he best in the movie.

Technically though, the movie is really great. The cinematography is beautiful, the score is amazing and the sound of the battleships is powerful. The editing can make the climax a bit hard to follow, but does a good job for most of the movie to make sure it doesn't drag too much.

Despite its problems, I found this movie to be quite impressive in its scale and it's definitely worth watching.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TerryB.

Dec 8, 2003

This was as about as exciting as watching the splinters explode in the flick. The screenplay was terrible, the acting was disappointing, and there was no feeling for any of the characters. If you must see this sh.t take NoDose before you enter to see this NONaction boring film. Complete This was as about as exciting as watching the splinters explode in the flick. The screenplay was terrible, the acting was disappointing, and there was no feeling for any of the characters. If you must see this sh.t take NoDose before you enter to see this NONaction boring film. Complete unadulterated crap.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful

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28	#28 Best Movie of 2003
27	#27 Most Discussed Movie of 2003
46	#46 Most Shared Movie of 2003