Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2004) Russell Crowe Captain Jack Aubrey Paul Bettany Dr Stephen Maturin Billy Boyd Barrett Bonden, Coxswain James D Arcy 1st Lt Thomas Pullings Lee Ingleby Hollom, Midshipman George Innes Joe Plaice, Able Seaman Mark Lewis Jones Mr Hogg, Whaler Chris Larkin Captain Howard, Royal Marines Richard McCabe Mr Higgins, Surgeon's Mate Robert Pugh Mr Allen, Master David Threlfall Preserved Killick, Captain's Steward Max Pirkis Blakeney, Midshipman Edward Woodall 2nd Lt William Mowett Ian Mercer Mr Hollar, Boatswain Max Benitz Calamy John Desantis Padeen, Loblolly Boy Patrick Gallagher Awkward Davies, Able Seaman Jack Randall Boyle, Midshipman Richard Pates Williamson, Midshipman Tony Dolan Mr Lamb, Carpenter Bryan Dick Joseph Nagle, Carpenter's Mate Joseph Morgan William Warley, Cpt of Mizzentop William Mannering Faster Doudle, Able Seaman Directed by: Peter Weir Produced by: Alan B. Curtiss, Samuel Goldwyn Jr, Peter Weir 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. ========== During the Napoleonic Wars, a British frigate, HMS Surprise, and a much larger French warship, the Acheron, with greater fire power, stalk each other off of the coast of South America. Russell Crowe brings great intensity to the role of Captain Jack Aubrey. Lucky Jack, as he is referred to by his crew, is well regarded by his men, who trust him implicitly, even after the first devastating battle and an apparent personal vendetta against the French captain. While the naval battle sequences are quite fantastic, the film is successful because director Weir chose to build the story to get to know the men who are locked aboard the tight quarters of a small ship and how they interact everyday. The officers and the mates are well-known by the time the final battle comes. Paul Bettany offers a strong performance as the surgeon and naturalist who balances the violence of his chosen life with the quiet demeanor of the scientist. He is the captain's friend and confidant, the two frequently playing violin and cello duets together. The horrors of the injuries from the war are frequently implied, but vividly depicted in the reactions of the characters. ========== The year is 1805. Europe has fallen to Napoleon, and only the Royal Navy stands in his way to total victory. Off the cost of South America, a new conflict is brewing. Captain Jack "Lucky Jack" Aubrey (Russel Crowe) of the Man-of-War HMS Surprise is under orders to sink or capture the French privateer Acheron, which has been deployed to the region. After seven weeks of uneventful sailing, the Acheron strikes first, all but crippling the Surprise in an engagement in which Aubrey realizes his enemy's ship is nautically superior to his own. Along with his close friend and confidant Stephan Maturin (Paul Bettany) who also happens to be the ship's surgeon, Aubrey is now faced with the choice of retreating to England and admitting defeat or remaining at the Acheron's mercy. Aubrey must now do the impossible if he is to survive, repair his ship, catch up to his enemy and defeat the Acheron--somehow.