Hello, all. Today, we move from the swords and sandals epics to films in the age of Napoleonic tactics. Yay for gunpowder! The first film in this particular “phase” of this quasi series is an adaptation from one of a series of books by Patrick O’ Brian – the so-called “Aubrey-Maturin series” – and it’s a really good one. The movie, not the book [which gets so bogged down in nautical terminology that even “ring knockers” from Annapolis might find it tedious]. It’s MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD, and the trailer is below:
Full disclosure time: When I first saw this movie, I thought it was a bore. I actually listened to an interview between Russell Crowe and Mankow, and after the interview was over, Mankow said he thought it was a boring film. I would later watch it with my grandfather, who served in the Navy in WWII and was a fan of sailing his whole life, and he said he thought it was a bore. So, why am I recommending to all of you VQ folks a film that’s so boring? Because… it isn’t. Granted, it takes its time, but despite a somewhat deliberate pace – including a part in the second act set in the Galapagos [shot on location, which is a cool nugget of trivia] that does drag the film a bit – it is an absolutely rock solid film. I’d go so far as to say that it’s great.
So, after a brief introduction to all the little nuances of a warship of this age [and, yes, Navy folks, it’s got the bells!], the film quickly introduces all the main players… and really doesn’t take long in introducing the catalyst that moves the film’s plot. To wit, Captain Jack Aubrey [played by Russell Crowe] commands the HMS Surprise, which is attacked by a ship that is “out of [her] class,” the Acheron. In the film, it’s a French ship… in the book, it’s an American ship [I believe that the book was set during the War of 1812], but American audiences probably wouldn’t care to see a British ship take down a bunch of “bad” American sailors, so, voila! The French are the baddies!
Not only is the Surprise having to overcome the fact that it’s up against a bigger, badder ship, but the weather [they actually shot during a hurricane to get more vivid imagery for a certain scene in the film] and, in a somewhat overlong sub-plot, issues between members of the crew and an officer. It does allow for the film to talk about Scripture, at least [The Book of Jonah, specifically], so there’s that… but it does plod along in this part. Nevertheless, the entire film is a game of cat and mouse, with the captain of each ship trying to gain the advantage – to have “the weather gauge,” as it’s said in the film – and thereby win the day. It really is great stuff, a newer film that feels like an older epic. There’s no shortage of superb acting, most notably from Crowe and Paul Bettany [teaming up with his A BEAUTIFUL MIND co-star again, this time portraying the ship’s doctor], who, incidentally, actually played the instruments they’re portrayed as playing in the film. It’s just little things like that that show how much artisanship went into this movie, and I don’t just say that because one of my cinematic pet peeves is a scene depicting someone playing an instrument that they’re clearly not playing.
For anyone who likes war flicks set on the high seas, this one is a can’t-miss movie. It might not have cleaned up during the awards season, but it was nominated for a fair few Oscars, and for good reason; it’s a great flick. Even if it takes you two viewings to appreciate it, it’s worth both. Enjoy!
Other films recommended:
[Day 1 - KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (Director's Cut); Day 2 - GLADIATOR; Day 3 - TROY; Day 4 - SPARTACUS; Day 5 - BRAVEHEART]
Full disclosure time: When I first saw this movie, I thought it was a bore. I actually listened to an interview between Russell Crowe and Mankow, and after the interview was over, Mankow said he thought it was a boring film. I would later watch it with my grandfather, who served in the Navy in WWII and was a fan of sailing his whole life, and he said he thought it was a bore. So, why am I recommending to all of you VQ folks a film that’s so boring? Because… it isn’t. Granted, it takes its time, but despite a somewhat deliberate pace – including a part in the second act set in the Galapagos [shot on location, which is a cool nugget of trivia] that does drag the film a bit – it is an absolutely rock solid film. I’d go so far as to say that it’s great.
So, after a brief introduction to all the little nuances of a warship of this age [and, yes, Navy folks, it’s got the bells!], the film quickly introduces all the main players… and really doesn’t take long in introducing the catalyst that moves the film’s plot. To wit, Captain Jack Aubrey [played by Russell Crowe] commands the HMS Surprise, which is attacked by a ship that is “out of [her] class,” the Acheron. In the film, it’s a French ship… in the book, it’s an American ship [I believe that the book was set during the War of 1812], but American audiences probably wouldn’t care to see a British ship take down a bunch of “bad” American sailors, so, voila! The French are the baddies!
Not only is the Surprise having to overcome the fact that it’s up against a bigger, badder ship, but the weather [they actually shot during a hurricane to get more vivid imagery for a certain scene in the film] and, in a somewhat overlong sub-plot, issues between members of the crew and an officer. It does allow for the film to talk about Scripture, at least [The Book of Jonah, specifically], so there’s that… but it does plod along in this part. Nevertheless, the entire film is a game of cat and mouse, with the captain of each ship trying to gain the advantage – to have “the weather gauge,” as it’s said in the film – and thereby win the day. It really is great stuff, a newer film that feels like an older epic. There’s no shortage of superb acting, most notably from Crowe and Paul Bettany [teaming up with his A BEAUTIFUL MIND co-star again, this time portraying the ship’s doctor], who, incidentally, actually played the instruments they’re portrayed as playing in the film. It’s just little things like that that show how much artisanship went into this movie, and I don’t just say that because one of my cinematic pet peeves is a scene depicting someone playing an instrument that they’re clearly not playing.
For anyone who likes war flicks set on the high seas, this one is a can’t-miss movie. It might not have cleaned up during the awards season, but it was nominated for a fair few Oscars, and for good reason; it’s a great flick. Even if it takes you two viewings to appreciate it, it’s worth both. Enjoy!
Other films recommended:
[Day 1 - KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (Director's Cut); Day 2 - GLADIATOR; Day 3 - TROY; Day 4 - SPARTACUS; Day 5 - BRAVEHEART]
