Dir. Peter Weir, USA, 2003
Cast: Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, Billy Boyd, James D'Arcy
Based on both the first and tenth books in Patrick O'Brian's long running series, Master and Commander: The Far Side Of The World (to give the film its full and rather unwieldy title) follows the adventures of British Naval hero Captain Jack Aubrey (Crowe) and the crew of the HMS Surprise in their battle to scupper the enemy's superior frigate, the French Privateer Acheron.
The film focuses on the character conflict of the two protagonists: the Captain and the ship's doctor (Bettany). Despite the war raging around them, both disagree vehemently and passionately with each others sense of duty. Not only is the relationship both convincing and warm but it ultimately highlights the war versus discovery debate. While the doctor takes an interest in botany and the natural world inherent in their location (as there was still much to discover in 1805), Aubrey's interest lies in the completion of his mission at all costs.
While Crowe's performance is adequate it is Bettany who steals the film. During the scene where he wants to explore an island rather than engage the enemy, Bettany more than holds his own against the showy and certainly more heroic lead performance of Crowe.
The faceless nature of the enemy (Americans in the original book but Napoleon's navy on the screen) is well handled. With no immediate sight of the French, the audience are given a genuine sense of the unknown and are allowed to focus on the crew of the H.M.S. Surprise. Perhaps the film's main failing is that it is not graphic enough in its depiction of naval warfare. As ships are blown apart with wood splintering and bodies flying, there is little blood being spilled. We know how hazardous life on a ship is (every crew member has a scar of some sort on their face!) yet during the actual battle sequences, the injuries sustained by the crew are unrealistically minor. Post war surgery scenes are present but heavily censored. Perhaps mindful of the need for a low certificate, it appears, unfortunately, that authenticity has been compromised for the sake of a few pounds at the box office.
Making full use of its locations (the Galapagos Islands make an effective island paradise), Master and Commander is a beautifully shot and visually rich film but ultimately there is something missing. The film has a 'been there, done that' feel and there is nothing here that we have not seen in the recent television adaptation of 'Hornblower.'
What is required is grisly, accurate depiction of battle (of similar intensity to that seen in Saving Private Ryan perhaps) which would not only serve to highlight the perilous nature of battle but would also illustrate the direct contrast to the peaceful world of the Galapogos Islands.
Considering that he has made a multi million dollar epic, Peter Weir (The Truman Show, Witness) has directed (and co-written) a film of shameless unoriginality. While there is nothing much wrong with it, the same kind of material was covered far more effectively in the similarly themed Damn The Defiant as far back as 1962.
As an adventure yarn it's 'Boys Own' appeal feels decades out of date but it is likely that its 'Gladiator at sea' tag will secure an audience that perhaps the film doesn't quite deserve.
Jonathan Wilkins
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