Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, James D'Arcy

During the Napoleonic Wars, a brash British captain pushes his ship and crew to their limits in pursuit of a formidable French war vessel around South America.

Flixster Users

75% liked it

117,704 ratings

Critics

85% liked it

197 critics

PG-13, 2 hrs. 20 min.

Directed by: Peter Weir

Release Date: November 14, 2003

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DVD Release Date: April 20, 2004

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Stats: 5,507 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (5,507)


  • November 8, 2008
    Return to the authentic Adventure film. Gives a startling insight into the life of the British fleet with a compelling story to sustain.
  • February 3, 2008
    I wasn't that much captivated by the story, but I do like watching old-fashioned tall ships and stormy oceans.
  • January 29, 2008
    A humanistic adventure film that's both rich with characterization and edge-of-your-seat battle scenes, as well as vivid historical details and compelling naturalistic action. Exuberant, entertaining and unapologetically old-fashioned tale of adventure on the high seas, immaculat...( read more)ely crafted by Peter Weir - who was much missed - and acted by Crowe, Bettany and a vast cast of talented supportive players. A nice tribute to old pirate/sea classics that we all grew up watching.
  • January 22, 2008
    Apparently I've seen this movie but I don't remember it at all.
  • January 3, 2008
    What impressed me about this movie as much as the historical recreation of this era in the Royal Navy was the lack of pretense and the determination to stick to the language and attitudes of the day. Instead of resorting to trendy dialogue or contemporary humour to cheaply gain l...( read more)aughter, Master and Commander aims to be a landmark film that can be appreciated in the long-term as well as the short. The film makes the viewer think of what these sailors must have experienced at a time when Britain, through competition with other European countries, was determined to rule the waves. Here's hoping for a sequel or two!
  • November 18, 2009
    After a five-year-long wait since the masterful Truman Show, Peter Weir goes Napoloenic and embarks us into a combat ship journey of breathtaking quality. This is the first time that Weir has been absorbed by the style of Hollywood, but the wait was worth the time. Russell Crowe ...( read more)shines in his last good performance and, despite some technical flaws, it was a rather enjoyable experience.

    73/100
  • November 14, 2009
    Cant hear a crap what they say, pls dl subtitles.
  • November 12, 2009
    Best Cinematographty 2003 - Best sound mixing 2003 - Best Film Editing 2003

    Thrilling boys own sea adventure set around the napoleonic unrest between the french and the british at the turn of the 17th century, directed by Peter Weir. Russell Crowe excels as the brillant captain,...( read more) and strikes up a heartfelt bond between his crew, and a more personal note towards the ships surgeon co-star Peter Bettany. There are also strong performances from the younger cast including great performances from Max Pirkis and Max Benitz. The action is fiece and mixed between battle and sea elements. Add great cinematography, and a strong sense of honor and realism is also well handed and soild.
  • November 11, 2009
    For some reason I couldn't really get this movie. It was pretty damn boring.
  • November 10, 2009
    Peter Weir handles this material masterfully, gracing us with an old-fashioned epic that is as entertaining as it is well-made. Not only is it enhanced by the highest production value possible, but it is emotionally rich and full of powerful subtext. Russell Crowe headlines a cas...( read more)t of superb performances, giving this lavishly directed piece a human foundation. Top-notch photography, sound editing/mixing, art direction, costume design, etc. A beautiful, absorbing movie.

Critic Reviews


May 4, 2005
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

A quite sturdy and enjoyably romp through the ferocious Pacific high seas. full review

November 15, 2003
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

A gentleman's action movie. full review

November 14, 2003
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

Russell Crowe swaggers marvelously in the seafaring adventure Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. full review

November 14, 2003
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The film contains brilliantly crafted scenes and shots that are as compelling as anything seen onscreen this year, but there are also dull stretches in which the movie seems lightweight -- never in it... full review

November 14, 2003
David Edelstein, Slate

Master and Commander hooks you from its nifty opening salvo to its nifty closing punch line. full review

November 14, 2003
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Master and Commander is grand and glorious, and touching in its attention to its characters. full review

November 13, 2003
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Master and Commander hums with humor, passion and life. full review

November 4, 2003
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

A rousing high-seas adventure that sweeps you into another world. full review

View more Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • terris85017
    September 20, 2008
    (2004 Director: Peter Weis)
    Flixster - Share Movies
    Excellent seafaring tale.....touches on the story of a young lad who joins Russell Crowe's character on a voyage...almost as crusty as Moby Dick but with a bit more heart & dash,
    Flixster - Share Movies
  • calamy2007
    June 9, 2008
    This is my fave movie of all time! Peter Weir did such an amazing work here! SUCH A MASTERPIECE! And all the actors are incredible! Mainly Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, Max Benitz, Max Pirkis and Lee Ingleby.
  • kikasuiboy84
    May 8, 2007
    loved this movie
    Russel Crowe was great
  • crazymonkeys2004
    January 6, 2007
    I heard they might have been making a sequel to this film, called Post Captain. Although i haven't heard anything since.
  • espmatt2000
    August 17, 2006
    I was hesitant to see this film at first. After seeing Pirates of the Caribbean I did not think I could see another old English styled film for I was getting sea sick! BUT I thought I’d see it anyway. So, I took my Dramamine® and sat through it. IT WAS WORTH IT. The story was intoxicating! The film makers should be proud. Over all, a job well done!!!!

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Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World Trivia

Master and Commander: The Far Sid... Trivia


  • Quote: "You came to the wrong ship for anarchy, brother." Name the movie.  Answer »
  • complete the title of the movie "Master and commander: The far side of the ______"  Answer »
  • Russel Crowe and Paul Bettany were together in "A Beautiful Mind". Which other movie did they co-star in?  Answer »
  • Which charcter in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) said this line: "Name a shrub after me - something prickly and hard to eradicate." ?  Answer »

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