A Reel 20 - MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD

 

“This ship, is England…”

 

This month marks the 20^th anniversary of MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD. 

 

Directed by Peter Weir and adapted from three novels in author Patrick O’Brian’s 20-novel series, MASTER told a seafaring tale of adventure during the Napoleonic Wars, with Captain Jack Aubrey leading his ship on a long chase against a cunning French adversary. 

 

The film was a personal project of 20^th Century Fox executive Tom Rothman, who recruited Peter Weir to take the helm. Weir had commanded several acclaimed films, including WITNESS (1981), DEAD POETS SOCIETY (1989), and THE TRUMAN SHOW (1998). The screenplay was drawn from O’Brian’s books, but matched the events in no one novel. 

 

Only two years removed from his iconic, Oscar-winning turn in GLADIATOR, the role of Captain Aubrey would go to Russell Crowe. The ship’s surgeon and Aubrey’s closest confidant would be landed by Paul Bettany, and Billy Boyd from THE LORD OF THE RINGS (2001-2003), would also join the crew. James D’Arcy, with the MCU still in his future, came on board as well. 

 

Great lengths were taken for authenticity, and filming would take place at sea onboard an 18^th-century reproduction ship, and in a 20-million-gallon water tank at Baja Studios in Mexico, which had been built for the filming of TITANIC (1997). All of the actors were put through a “boot camp” in 18^th century naval life. The score was composed by Iva Davies, Christopher Gordon, and Richard Tognetti.

 

Upon release, MASTER would not earn the no.1 spot at the box office, coming in second behind the holiday comedy ELF. However, it would sail on to be a moderate hit, finishing the year as the 21^st highest earner worldwide. At the 76^th Academy Awards, it would be nominated for ten Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Weir. It would win for Best Sound Editing and Cinematography. Weir would also win a BAFTA for Achievement in Directing. 

 

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In 2003, there were two sailing ships at sea on the big screen commanded by a Captain Jack. The later one in the year was MASTER AND COMMANDER with Crowe, and the early one was Disney’s PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL with Johnny Depp at the wheel. While MASTER would be the awards-season favorite, PIRATES would take home the loot (fourth-highest earner of the year). 

 

While MASTER AND COMMANDER was certainly overshadowed in 2003 by the rollicking, family-friendly adventure, over the years it has rightfully earned more respect. The film is gorgeous to look at, and the commitment to realism (very little CGI), can nearly be smelled off the screen. The character moments between captain, crew, and ship surgeon add a heavy heart, and the trials the crew go through are harrowing. This Blogger, and many others consider MASTER AND COMMANDER to be one of the best films of this millennium. Pirates may be fun, but this one commands a masterful adventure. 

 

“The simple truth is, not all of us become the men we once hoped we might be…”