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Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Adventure · Drama · War · 2003

After an abrupt and violent encounter with a French warship inflicts severe damage upon his ship, a captain of the British Royal Navy begins a chase over two oceans to capture or destroy the enemy, though he must weigh his commitment to duty and ferocious pursuit of glory against the safety of his devoted crew, including the ship's thoughtful surgeon, his best friend.

Movie details

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

“The courage to do the impossible lies in the hearts of men.”

2003 Adventure · Drama · War 2h 18m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.2 / 10

Community rating

After an abrupt and violent encounter with a French warship inflicts severe damage upon his ship, a captain of the British Royal Navy begins a chase over two oceans to capture or destroy the enemy, though he must weigh his commitment to duty and ferocious pursuit of glory against the safety of his devoted crew, including the ship's thoughtful surgeon, his best friend.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Midway

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Action · 1976

This war drama depicts the U.S. and Japanese forces in the naval Battle of Midway, which became a turning point for Americans during World War II.

Britannic

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Greyhound

Greyhound

War · 2020

A first-time captain leads a convoy of allied ships carrying thousands of soldiers across the treacherous waters of the "Black Pit" to the front lines of WWII. With no air cover protection for 5 days, the captain and his convoy must battle the surrounding enemy Nazi U-boats in order to give the allies a chance to win the war.

Mutiny on the Bounty

Mutiny on the Bounty

Adventure · 1935

Fletcher Christian successfully leads a revolt against the ruthless Captain Bligh on the HMS Bounty. However, Bligh returns one year later, hell bent on revenge.

Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N.

Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N.

Adventure · 1951

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Hornblower: Mutiny

Hornblower: Mutiny

War · 2001

Hornblower and his comrades come under the command of a revered but mentally unstable captain and are forced to mutiny in order to save their ship, the HMS Renown.

Hornblower: The Frogs and the Lobsters

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War · 1999

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Wake of the Red Witch

Wake of the Red Witch

Adventure · 1948

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They Were Expendable

They Were Expendable

Drama · 1945

After a demonstration of new PT boats, Navy brass are still unconvinced of their viability in combat, leaving Lt. "Rusty" Ryan frustrated. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, however, Ryan and his buddy Lt. Brickley are told they can finally take their squadron into battle. The PT boats quickly prove their worth, successfully shooting down Japanese planes, relaying messages between islands, and picking off a multitude of enemy ships.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Peter Weir

Written by

Peter Weir · John Collee

Russell Crowe

Russell Crowe

Captain Jack Aubrey

Paul Bettany

Paul Bettany

Dr. Stephen Maturin

James D'Arcy

James D'Arcy

1st Lt. Thomas Pullings

Robert Pugh

Robert Pugh

Mr. Allen, Master

David Threlfall

David Threlfall

Preserved Killick, Captain's Steward

Lee Ingleby

Lee Ingleby

Midshipman Hollom

Max Pirkis

Max Pirkis

Midshipman Blakeney

Court is in session

Put Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.