Post by Taxigirl on Nov 28, 2003 10:23:27 GMT
Russell Crowe stars as a courageous British sea captain in the film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, which is released in the UK on Friday.
Given their devoted readership, it was only a matter of time before someone tried to bring Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey nautical books to the big screen.
For Master and Commander, two of the multi-volume series have been spliced together.
With an Australian directing and a New Zealander starring as this most English of heroes, purists may have their fears.
But they are unfounded. Master and Commander is a fantastically entertaining, intelligent, grown-up adventure film that never lets its audience down.
The story centres on the Holmes and Watson-styled relationship between Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) and Dr Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany) on HMS Surprise.
The action takes place as they pursue the French ship Acheron around South America during the Napoleonic Wars.
It is an old-fashioned, goodies versus baddies adventure, refreshingly free of post-modern ironic twists or tinkering, and largely set in the prison-like, female-free atmosphere of a ship at war.
Director Peter Weir has previously dealt with the pressures of life under fire (Gallipoli) and in confined spaces (The Truman Show) - and here he brilliantly conveys the claustrophobia and chaos of life before and during battle.
Oscar contender
The film looks utterly convincing - particularly the storm sequences. The dialogue rings true and the soundtrack certainly adds to the atmosphere.
The only instantly recognisable name in a uniformly excellent cast is Crowe, who is in his element and very convincing as a leader of men.
Expect Oscar nominations for this rousing adventure - and hope for sequels. With many more books still unfilmed, this is unlikely to be the last we see of Jack Aubrey.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is released in the UK on Friday.