Paul J. Nemecek If there is a connecting thread in the work of director Peter Weir it is to be found in his great theme, the clash of cultures. Sometimes the clash of cultures is in the foreground (Witness, Mosquito Coast, The Year of Living Dangerously, Picnic at Hanging Rock); in some of his works it is more subtle (Dead Poets Society, Gallipoli, The Truman Show). In Master and Commander it is revealed in the tension between the values and worldview of the warrior-leader and the healer/man of science.The master and commander is Jack Aubrey, very capably portrayed by Russell Crowe, one of the best actors working today. His good friend, the doctor and naturalist is played by Paul Bettany (who played the imagined roommate opposite Crowe in A Beautiful Mind). It is easy to view this as simply a standard swashbuckler, and to be sure there is plenty of swash to be buckled (whatever that means) but the strength of the film lies in its juxtaposition of the larger conflict and the battle scenes, and the interpersonal conflicts between the two friends.If the film were just about the larger conflicts, the spectacular battle scenes, and the pursuit, it would be too easy to dismiss the film as a remake-Gladiator Goes Sailing-in the same way that I dismissed Waterworld as Mad Max goes sailing. In the macro-story, the quest for the elusive ship, the story is reminiscent of many other sailing films. There are elements of Moby Dick, Mutiny on the Bounty, The Caine Mutiny. The thread that connects these films is obsessive leadership that walks the line between duty and prideful ambition. The most engaging part of the film, as is always the case in Weir's films, is the clash of cultures. In this case, the cultures are represented by the values of the two friends. The tensions created by the conflicting values of the warrior and the healer. These represent conflicting values, dialectical tensions, in all cultures and perhaps in all people. It is this storyline that redeems the film from being just another run-of-the-mill seafaring adventure.Having said that, I should add that the seafaring adventure story is particularly well told, and is wonderfully supported by superior cinematography. Cinematographer Russell Boyd is an Australian (as are Weir and Crowe) and Boyd has worked with Weir on a number of films from the beginning of Weir's career in the mid 70's. The cinematography is superb in this film. In the battle scenes we feel the claustrophobia, in the storm scenes sheer terror. When Boyd shows us the vast oceans or the Galapagos Islands we are awed by the sheer beauty of the scene. When the Academy Awards are announced, the Master and Commander may not be able to defeat the Lord of the Rings but you can count on it to be in the running. This one is definitely worth a look.

Richie-67-485852 You get Russell Crowe so we are off to a good start in this movie that depicts life at sea most excellently. Real absorbing drama with a good story to tell awaits the viewer so look forward to this movie treat. In the movie Mutiny on the Bounty, it points out that while England and her Navy is run on laws its the Captain that gives it heart and justice. Captain Bly did not Master and command this but Captain Aubrey (Crowe) in this movie does a masterful job of encouraging, edifying and leading his crew making their hearts one and that is why the story works on the screen and in real life. It is better to get love and devotion willingly and with a gladness than to take it. There is a difference. The crew even sing songs about the Captain and nick-name him Lucky jack. That's stuff you have to earn. Ahoy then, starboard bow and ....

nszponar I am working my way through the Jack Aubrey/Patrick O'Brian series of historical novels and thought it would b a good idea to see the film of Master and Commander. I was a bit apprehensive about the castings and in some cases they definitely did not work. However, thinking that Russell Crowe was not right for Jack Aubrey, having seen the movie, all I can say is I can't see anyone else doing a better job. In the books, this is a man with a zest for life, courageous and maybe a bit reckless - Russell Crowe captures this very well. Still not sure about the Maturin casting because he is definitely a man who is not what he seems and that does not come across. Boden - also not quite right. However, this is a proper rendition of the period and the spirit of the books. I can only say I wish they had made more - the books do have quite a few love interests in them so this would have been good to see. Of course, it must have been expensive to film but this is what film is made for - beautiful cinematography, great set pieces, a good story and really sound acting - much better than all the action hero stuff that is out there.

Reviewer746 It is a travesty that this film isn't at least 8 stars on IMDb. Master and Commander is an incredible adventure story and arguably the most beautiful movie filmed in the first decade of the 21st century.The cinematography is beyond exceptional and the score is simply inspired. This is hands down the best movie every made without a single female actress (barring a 3 second scene off the coast of Brazil).Obviously the novels provide more backstory and much more nautical detail (so much to the point of being tedious) but the film approaches the tale from a completely different perspective. This is a work of art. This is what CGI should be used for in modern films.