Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

2003
After an abrupt and violent encounter with a French warship inflicts severe damage upon his ship, a captain of the British Royal Navy begins a chase over two oceans to capture or destroy the enemy, though he must weigh his commitment to duty and ferocious pursuit of glory against the safety of his devoted crew, including the ship's thoughtful surgeon, his best friend.
Ratings:
Brad Score: 7.5/10
Internet Score: 7.2/10
Director:
Peter Weir
Cast:
Russell Crowe, Billy Boyd, Paul Bettany, James D'Arcy, Robert Pugh, David Threlfall, Lee Ingleby, Max Pirkis, Max Benitz, Edward Woodall
Genres:
Drama War Adventure

My notes

Perhaps I'm reaching my Dad-film age, but I did not expect to enjoy this film nearly as much as I did.

Let's step back, ages ago there was a brief twitter beef where someone called out the film for being boring and Crowe responded that kids today don't have focus and that this is an adult film.

Crowe is right on 90% of what he says. The film is gorgeous with real, detail oriented sets and real boats and a feeling of both cramped isolation and the emptiness of the expanse. And it has themes that ripple through it, not the least of which is the cost of obsession.

But what both Crowe and the original shit poster got wrong was that this film asks for focus. I found it utterly gripping. I had initially avoided watching it due to the shitpost, but once I started it I found it difficult to get off the couch and make dinner.

Watched Dec. 28, 2025 via UHD — rated 7.5/10