Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World 4K review

Adapted from Patrick O'Brian's nautical novels, 2003's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World takes us aboard the HMS Surprise captained by Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) during the Napoleonic Wars. After barely escaping an attack by a superior French vessel, Aubrey and his crew repair the ship at sea rather than flee home in disgrace. After being bested again, and learning a bit about camouflage from a discussion with the ship's doctor (Paul Bettany) about an insect on the Galapagos Islands he wishes to study (along with other flora and fauna), the captain sets on a plan to give his ship a fighting chance.

While the story is relatively simple, centering around ship life and the lulls and tension between battles, the spectacle of the film (shot both at sea and through the use of miniatures) is where director Peter Weir's film is most notable capturing life on an early 19th Century ship and the frantic action of war on the high seas. The performances, outside of Crowe and Bettany (cast as both the Captain's best friend and the only one who dare speak truth to  him) may not be all that notable but the ships and battles certainly are.

The film was both a critical and box office success. Nominated for several Oscars, the film lost out to Peter Jackson and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in major categories but still took home Best Cinematography for its impressive visuals. Weir also took home the BAFTA for his direction.

I never saw the film on the big screen but the new 4K version of the film attempts to capture the look (if not necessarily the scope) of that experience. The set also includes Blu-ray and digital copies of the film, an interactive map, trivia, and deleted scenes.

Watch the trailer

• Title: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
• IMDb: link