One of the best! Terrific sound and music, great dialogue, historically realistic, and outstanding cinematography. Jack Aubrey was a wonderful character. The director was truly on spot with this wonderful tale and his vision.
It truly is one of those rare movies where everything comes together to make it excellent. Everyone is well cast, the writing deftly balances action and character, and the filmmaking is enthralling.
Truly loved this movie - particularly Bettany and the kid playing Blankeny (Max Pirknis, it looks like). During the amputation, the way he expressed that utter terror while still showing him suppressing it was a damned fine piece of acting. And I remember starting to cry in the theater both times the Vaughan-Williams soared in (both when you point it out and during the funeral at the end), and thinking "c'mon guys, that's not fair at all!" :D
I have the 2 disc DVD and on the second there are some in depth explanations of all aspects of the making of the film ,particularly how Audrey and Maturin are shown performing musical duets . Russell Crowe learnt to play the violin in just a few months ,as well as his lines and directions for his scenes .Although the actual soundtrack was of professional musicians ,the two actors had to provide accurate fingering ,so that the action and sound were authentic . Also, everyone was given different coloured tops to wear ,red for the Marines ,white for ordinary crew, pale blue for Midshipmen and dark blue for the Officers .This meant that the chain of command was already established and when the time came to acting in costume , the extras particularly knew where they stood in the ship`s ranking . Apparently it was Russell Crowe`s idea .
Lord Blakeney turns out to be an absolute stand out character. If I was writing a sequel, he would be my pick as captain. He had resolve, bravery and intelligence, everything needed for a first class officer.
The thing that impresses me most about the sound is that through it, the ship becomes another living character in the film. The way the ship almost *groans* in pain when it gets hit with cannon balls is a genius touch. But then with Peter Weir running the show, I expect nothing less than perfection when it comes to those small details. I've said this elsewhere regarding Picnic, he has a finely tuned sense for visual and auditory beauty. Weir is totally underrated as a movie maker imo.
One thing I particularly like (especially in the books) is that medically, Steven Maturin is a man of his times - he bleeds his patients to prevent them getting calenture and treats venereal diseases with mercury - he doesn't have our modern attitudes to germs (Steven doesn't feel cleanliness is important - he rarely washes - even leaves blood on his hands after operating).
One of the film’s great achievements is its ability to place us in the time and place of its story and characters. The details you mentioned are a large part of how it achieves that success.
The HMS Rose used to be docked in Bridgeport, CT, and when I'd visit family up there I'd always visit it. They turned one of the decks into a haunted house for a few years too. Awesome experience
Great discussion on a wonderful film. They did use some miniatures by the way, the director sourced the guy from Weta Studios to deliver the goods. Cheers.
A great movie that faithfully replicates and follows the characters, dialogue and details of the source material. The greatest shame was that it came out against Lord of Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean. There should have been more movies made. Think they should have kept to the history and the story - the USS Norfolk and the War of 1812 (which is why the ship is a US heavy frigate!) - but for a US audience they made it a French Privateer and the Napoleonic War.
As the old saying goes, “timing is everything.” The cinema lineup in 2003 didn’t allow this to break through, but fortunately it’s excellence is still apparent nearly two decades later. Perhaps if it was made today, they’d have been able to maintain the original setting of the books and kept it in the War of 1812. Thanks for your comment.
The way the camera moves around the table in that scene is an inspired decision and even the technical error where it jerks because of someone hitting into something simply adds to the authenticity of the moment.
There is talk of a further movie, finally. If it would be tramelled by the kind of limitations you mention (and I agree they exist), I would rather they didn't make it. I would rather not see another one, than have a woke rewriting of O'Brian's work, which would be a travesty. I hope his legacy is legally protected against such nonsense.
It sounds like the movie they are planning would be a prequel that details the first meeting of Aubrey and Maturin. If they can get the right cast and writers, hopefully it’ll be a fitting tribute not only to Peter Weir’s film, but more importantly to O’Brian’s novels.
One of the best! Terrific sound and music, great dialogue, historically realistic, and outstanding cinematography. Jack Aubrey was a wonderful character. The director was truly on spot with this wonderful tale and his vision.
It truly is one of those rare movies where everything comes together to make it excellent. Everyone is well cast, the writing deftly balances action and character, and the filmmaking is enthralling.
Truly loved this movie - particularly Bettany and the kid playing Blankeny (Max Pirknis, it looks like). During the amputation, the way he expressed that utter terror while still showing him suppressing it was a damned fine piece of acting. And I remember starting to cry in the theater both times the Vaughan-Williams soared in (both when you point it out and during the funeral at the end), and thinking "c'mon guys, that's not fair at all!"
:D
The film is superb in its ability to stir so many emotions without being sentimental and also always remaining intellectually engaging.
I have the 2 disc DVD and on the second there are some in depth explanations of all aspects of the making of the film ,particularly how Audrey and Maturin are shown performing musical duets .
Russell Crowe learnt to play the violin in just a few months ,as well as his lines and directions for his scenes .Although the actual soundtrack was of professional musicians ,the two actors had to provide accurate fingering ,so that the action and sound were authentic .
Also, everyone was given different coloured tops to wear ,red for the Marines ,white for ordinary crew, pale blue for Midshipmen and dark blue for the Officers .This meant that the chain of command was already established and when the time came to acting in costume , the extras particularly knew where they stood in the ship`s ranking . Apparently it was Russell Crowe`s idea .
The DVD set is one of the best from that era. The packaging was also a great feature of the 2 disc release.
One of the best damn movies ever
It’s an amazing triumph and excels on every level. Thanks for your comment and let us know if you have any recommendations for future reviews.
Lord Blakeney turns out to be an absolute stand out character.
If I was writing a sequel, he would be my pick as captain.
He had resolve, bravery and intelligence, everything needed for a first class officer.
Absolutely. Blakeney is an exceptionally well realized character in both the writing and acting; Max Pirkis makes him someone you want to see more of.
One of my favourite films. The sound is unparalleled.
It truly is a testament to the importance of sound design in bringing all the elements of a film together. Thanks for your comment.
The thing that impresses me most about the sound is that through it, the ship becomes another living character in the film. The way the ship almost *groans* in pain when it gets hit with cannon balls is a genius touch.
But then with Peter Weir running the show, I expect nothing less than perfection when it comes to those small details. I've said this elsewhere regarding Picnic, he has a finely tuned sense for visual and auditory beauty.
Weir is totally underrated as a movie maker imo.
One thing I particularly like (especially in the books) is that medically, Steven Maturin is a man of his times - he bleeds his patients to prevent them getting calenture and treats venereal diseases with mercury - he doesn't have our modern attitudes to germs (Steven doesn't feel cleanliness is important - he rarely washes - even leaves blood on his hands after operating).
One of the film’s great achievements is its ability to place us in the time and place of its story and characters. The details you mentioned are a large part of how it achieves that success.
Great choice for a discussion! What a movie.
It is a wonderful example of what can be accomplished through cinema.
I love the lens choices - such a small detail but the sense of intimacy and space really makes the movie special.
The HMS Rose used to be docked in Bridgeport, CT, and when I'd visit family up there I'd always visit it. They turned one of the decks into a haunted house for a few years too. Awesome experience
That sounds like a really fun time!
My favorite Russell Crowe film
He is fantastic in this movie.
I gotta rewatch this!
You won’t be disappointed if you do. 👍🏻
Criminally underrated film
Great discussion on a wonderful film. They did use some miniatures by the way, the director sourced the guy from Weta Studios to deliver the goods.
Cheers.
Thanks for the feedback. Nate will do penance for his error.
Most underrated movie. I enjoyed "Lord of the Rings" but "Master and Commander" has shown itself to be a superior movie in many ways.
Indeed. They both are excellent in many ways, but “Master and Commander” is a modern classic that truly excels on every level.
This should have won a director's oscar
Superb movie!
Indeed it is.
Let us know if you have any requests for future reviews.
A great movie that faithfully replicates and follows the characters, dialogue and details of the source material. The greatest shame was that it came out against Lord of Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean. There should have been more movies made. Think they should have kept to the history and the story - the USS Norfolk and the War of 1812 (which is why the ship is a US heavy frigate!) - but for a US audience they made it a French Privateer and the Napoleonic War.
As the old saying goes, “timing is everything.” The cinema lineup in 2003 didn’t allow this to break through, but fortunately it’s excellence is still apparent nearly two decades later. Perhaps if it was made today, they’d have been able to maintain the original setting of the books and kept it in the War of 1812.
Thanks for your comment.
Don't forget yer old shipmate, faldee raldee raldee raldee rye-eye-doe!
The way the camera moves around the table in that scene is an inspired decision and even the technical error where it jerks because of someone hitting into something simply adds to the authenticity of the moment.
underrated channel
Thank you for your compliment!
If you have any recommendations for reviews, we’d love to hear them.
Also watched the HBO documentary Making Master and Commander. No models! All real ships.
There is talk of a further movie, finally. If it would be tramelled by the kind of limitations you mention (and I agree they exist), I would rather they didn't make it. I would rather not see another one, than have a woke rewriting of O'Brian's work, which would be a travesty. I hope his legacy is legally protected against such nonsense.
It sounds like the movie they are planning would be a prequel that details the first meeting of Aubrey and Maturin. If they can get the right cast and writers, hopefully it’ll be a fitting tribute not only to Peter Weir’s film, but more importantly to O’Brian’s novels.
Also this film has zero womenses so no way it would get the green light today. They could make an all female reboot though.