Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003).
Coming Out at 14 November 2003 in theaters
Action, Adventure, Drama
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is epic period war-drama film co-written, produced and directed by Peter Weir, set in the Napoleonic Wars. The film’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. The film stars Russell Crowe as Jack Aubrey, captain in the Royal Navy, and Paul Bettany as Dr. Stephen Maturin, the ship’s surgeon. The film, which cost $150 million to make, was a co-production of 20th Century Fox, Miramax Films, Universal Pictures, and Samuel Goldwyn Films, and released on November 14, 2003. The film grossed $212 million worldwide.
The film was critically well received. At the 76th Academy Awards, the film was nominated for 10 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. It won in two categories, Best Cinematography and Best Sound Editing and lost in all other categories to The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
During the Napoleonic Wars, Captain Jack Aubrey of HMS Surprise is ordered to fight the French privateer Acheron. Acheron ambushes Surprise, off the coast of Brazil causing heavy damage, while remaining undamaged by the British guns. The ship’s boats tow Surprise into a fog bank to evade pursuit. Aubrey’s officers tell him that Surprise is no match for Acheron, and that they should abandon the chase. Aubrey points out that Acheron must not be allowed to plunder the British whaling fleet. He orders Surprise refitted at sea, rather than returning to port for repairs. William Blakeney has his arm amputated due to injuries sustained in battle. Shortly afterwards, Acheron again ambushes Surprise, but Aubrey slips away in the night by using a decoy raft and ship’s lamps.
Director: Peter Weir
Writers: Patrick O’Brian (novels), Peter Weir, John Collee
Stars: Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, Billy Boyd, James D’Arcy
Cast:
| Russell Crowe | … | Capt. Jack Aubrey |
| Paul Bettany | … | Dr. Stephen Maturin, Surgeon |
| James D’Arcy | … | 1st Lt. Tom Pullings |
| Edward Woodall | … | 2nd Lt. William Mowett |
| Chris Larkin | … | Capt. Howard, Royal Marines |
| Max Pirkis | … | Blakeney, Midshipman |
| Jack Randall | … | Boyle, Midshipman |
| Max Benitz | … | Calamy, Midshipman |
| Lee Ingleby | … | Hollom, Midshipman |
| Richard Pates | … | Williamson, Midshipman |
| Robert Pugh | … | Mr. Allen, Master |
| Richard McCabe | … | Mr. Higgins, Surgeon’s Mate |
| Ian Mercer | … | Mr. Hollar, Boatswain |
| Tony Dolan | … | Mr. Lamb, Carpenter |
| David Threlfall | … | Preserved Killick, Captain’s Steward |
| Billy Boyd | … | Barrett Bonden, Coxswain |
| Bryan Dick | … | Joseph Nagle, Carpenter’s Mate |
| Joseph Morgan | … | William Warley, Cpt. of Mizzentop |
| George Innes | … | Joe Plaice, Able Seaman |
| William Mannering | … | Faster Doudle, Able Seaman |
| Patrick Gallagher | … | Awkward Davies, Able Seaman |
| Alex Palmer | … | Nehemiah Slade, Able Seaman |
| Mark Lewis Jones | … | Mr. Hogg, Whaler |
| John DeSantis | … | Padeen, Loblolly Boy |
| Ousmane Thiam | … | Black Bill, Killick’s Mate |
| Thierry Segall | … | French Captain |
| Aidan Black | … | Pvt. Trollope, Royal Marines |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia