MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD (2003)

MORGAN'S RATING

Set during the Napoleonic Wars in 1806, this is the seafaring adventure tale of the British ship, HMS Suprise, captained by Jack Aubrey, who travels around the world with his friend and secret agent, Stephen Maturin, in an era where the open seas were the vast and wild setting for amazing adventures and high intrigue.

Russell Crowe (Capt. Jack Aubrey), Paul Bettany (Stephen Maturin), James D'Arcy (Tom Pullings), Edward Woodall (William Mowett), Chris Larkin (Capt. Howard), Max Pirkis (Blakeney), Jack Randall (Boyle), Max Benitz (Calamy), Lee Ingleby (Hollom), Richard Pates (Williamson), Robert Pugh (Mr. Allen), Richard McCabe (Mr. Higgins), Ian Mercer (Mr. Hollar), Tony Dolan (Lamb), David Threlfall (Preserved Killick), Billy Boyd (Barrett Bonden), Bryan Dick (Joseph Nagle), Joseph Morgan (William Warley), George Innes (Joe Plaice), William Mannering (Faster Doudle), Patrick Gallagher (Awkward Davies), Alex Palmer (Nehemiah Slade), Mark Lewis Jones (Mr. Hogg), John DeSantis (Padeen), Ousmane Thiam (Black Bill), Thierry Segall (Franch Captain).

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Peter Weir (Gallipoli). WRITERS: Peter Weir and John Collee, and based on the novels by Patrick O'Brian. PRODUCERS: Samuel Goldwyn Jr., Duncan Henderson, John Bard Manuilis and Peter Weir. CO-PRODUCER: Todd Arnow. EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Alan B. Curtiss. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Klaus Badelt, Iva Davies, Richard Tognetti, Brian Tyler (trailer composer) and Christopher Gordon. DISTRIBUTOR: 20th Century Fox

FACTS

RELEASE DATE: November 14th, 2003 (USA) DVD RELEASE DATE: April 20th, 2004 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $25.1 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $93.9 million (USA) BUDGET: $150 million (USA) SHOOTING DATES: June 2002 -- November 2002 - Peter Weir shot footage of an actual typhoon specifically to be used during the movie. - The only land-based portions of the film take place on the Galapagos Islands, and this became the first movie ever to shoot there. - The movie contains many elements recognizable from the novels: "The word 'fuck' is spoken exactly once (O'Brian would include the word 'fuck' just once in each book). Two cannons are shown with the names (Jumping Billy and Sudden Death) but the camera pulls up before we see the name of the next cannon. All fans know the next cannon would have been "Willful Murder" (Barret Bondon's Gun) although never mentioned, Killick is preparing toasted cheese for Jack and Stephen for after their music sessions. - Winner of two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Sound Editing. Nominated for eight more Academy Awards for: Best Picture, Best Directing, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Make Up, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"This is the finest movie ever made about men fighting under sail." -- David Elliott, San Diego Union-Tribune

"A gentlemen's movie." -- Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

"Probably the best movie of its kind ever made." -- Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

"Master and Commander intends to be an intelligent epic, but it's the epic qualities more than the intelligence that holds us." -- Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

"A rousing high-seas adventure that sweeps you into another world." -- Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

"Isn't just a fabulous seagoing spectacle. It's one for the ages." -- Desson Thomson, Washington Post

"Master and Commander hums with humor, passion and life." -- A.O. Scott, New York Times