The Bottom Line
Pros
- Russell Crowe’s performance in this movie may very well turn out to be his most memorable ever
- Arguably director Peter Weir’s best movie yet
- A visually stunning film, and the look of it will stay with me forever
Cons
- Fans of the novel may be disappointed that movie’s plot is only loosely based on book
- Movie may not have enough action for some action-adventure fans
- Lack of strong dramatic tension: some viewers may not like episodic narrative structure
Description
- Please note: this description is for the Collector’s Giftpack edition of the DVD movie
- DVD containing movie “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” (2003)
- Two-Disc Set
- Anamorphic Widescreen (2.40:1)
- DVD has bonus materials, including 6 deleted scenes, 2 documentaries, and 3 featurettes
- For more about bonus materials, follow the full-review link below
- Excellent picture and sound quality
- MPAA rating: PG-13 for intense battle sequences, related images, and brief language
- Feature run time: 2 hours 18 minutes
- Release date: April 20, 2004
Guide Review - "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" DVD Review
"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" is an adventure movie aimed at grownups. It’s the interactions among the men aboard a British warship that held my interest. I see this film as basically a drama in the humanist tradition, yet there are two exciting naval battle sequences and a spectacular storm at sea.
The movie is set in 1805 and England is trying to prevent Napoleon from achieving world domination. Russell Crowe stars as Captain Jack Aubrey, who commands a British frigate charged with tracking down a French warship off South America.
I’ve liked Crowe in many movies before, but I suspect his performance in “Master and Commander” may turn out to be his most memorable ever. He plays Aubrey as a courageous leader who inspires confidence in others, but at the same time his demeanor and conversations show that the command decisions he must make take an emotional toll on him.
This is a visually stunning film, and the look of it will stay with me forever. It captures a time and place in a way that few movies have. I find myself completely enthralled when Aubrey prepares his men for battle by telling them, “England is under threat of invasion. And though we be on the far side of the world, this ship is our home. This ship … is England.”"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" is a remarkably entertaining movie, and I highly recommend it.
