Master and Commander is a 2003 epic historical epic, directed and co-written by Peter Weir. It is an adaptation of three books from Patrick O’Brian’s 20-book Aubrey-Maturin series, which covers Jack Aubrey’s naval career. The film opens with the frigate HMS Surprise, commanded by “lucky Jack,” Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe), being ordered to pursue a powerful French privateer, the Acheron and to “sink, burn or take her a prize.” Off the coast of Brazil the hunt is well underway, but the Acheron ambushes them in a fog bank, causing heavy damage. the Surprise’s guns are unable to penetrate the Frenchman’s hull, forcing the British vessel to retreat into the fog and make repairs.
Captain Aubrey flatly denies returning to a port to repair and refit the ship, instead opting to continue the pursuit. Acheron once again catches them, but thanks to the darkness and a cunning decoy, the British frigate escapes once again. Aubrey deduces that the Frenchman is heading for the Galapagos Islands, where Britain’s wailing fleet is based, making ti a rich prize for France. On the way, Aubrey friend and the ship’s Doctor, Steven Maturin, is severely wounded, and Aubrey must choose between continuing the chase and landing in the island to save Maturin. The Doctor is saved and the crew enjoys a rest in the sun, but Maturin spots Acheron whilst walking and informs Aubrey at once. They plan a brutally effective scheme to allow them to get close enough to damage and board the French ship, disguising themselves as a whaling vessel.
The scheme works, leading to a lethal and chaotic melee aboard the Acheron, which is eventually a triumph for the British but not before many are killed. The Acheron is sent back to port with a prize crew aboard whilst the Surprise returns to the Galapagos Islands so Maturin can continue his studies of the creatures there. However he inadvertently reveals that the French surrender was false, and the Surprise heads off in pursuit once again.
The film was a commercial success and is hailed as a realistic depiction of naval warfare of the period. It was hoped it might spwn additional films based on the novel series, although sadly these have yet to materialize.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World Pictures & Wallpapers
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