I would like to start by saying Bravo! I liked the story, the execution of the story by the actors and the director. Russel Crowe really depicted the Captain well and I thought that the supporting cast were superb. The photography really enhanced the scope of the story, and I must take my hat off to the photographic skills of the photographic director.

One tends to forget that this story is not a high speed chase film with lots of blood and gore however it does have its share, although, the speed of the story is greatly paralleled by the speed at which a sea chase would have happened 200 years ago.

It is great to watch a movie that really gets to the heart of the emotions of the crew of a Man-Of-War vessel, not just making the crew look like the hardest SOB's around.

And to that I take my hat off to the Cast and Crew, as well as the writers and the director and producers of this production.

There is a scene in MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD where the captain of a British Naval ship, circa 1805, debates the difference between duty and passion. Having passed on an opportunity to make wonderful new discoveries in favor of the pursuit of a massive French war ship, the scene manages to make a rather eloquent, yet subtle comment on the nature of man and his place within the world. The beauty of this film is that there are many such moments where the viewer is simultaneously bombarded with thematic musings, exciting action sequences, great acting and historical accuracy to the point where it becomes difficult to take it all in at once.

Those of you looking for something more like Pirates of the Caribbean will be disappointed as this film is short on action and long on character development. There are only two major battle sequences, separated by more than an hour and a half of time. And while they are great; violently realistic and dramatically involving, the real guts of this film lies in the human stories told along the way. The director, Peter Weir, highlights his ability to tell an intimate story amidst a grand backdrop much like he did in The Truman Show. We get to know these men, their strengths and weaknesses and we see how the long and hard voyage plays on their minds over the film's progression. In one scene, a young officer feels the pressure of his men's dismissive stares and decides to end matters in his own way, afraid of what may be in store for him should he stick it out. Weir does a good job at highlighting the many facets of seafaring life.

If you're looking for an intelligent and thought-provoking journey into the life of a 19th Century British Naval Vessell, look no further. Master and Commander has the depth of a good Discovery Channel show and the action worthy of almost any other high-seas adventure that comes to mind.

This is a breathtaking and handsomely story adapted from two of Patrick O'Brian much successful seafaring novels . It starts in the year 1805 , when Europe has been vanquished by Napoleon, and only the British Navy stands in his way to total victory . Nearly the cost of South America, a new conflict is brewing. Captain Jack "Lucky Jack" Aubrey (Russell Crowe) of the Royal Navy commands the HMS Surprise , he fought with Admiral Nelson on Nile and is under orders of British staff to capture the three-masted French privateer Acheron, which has sunk several vessels . Crusing the coast of Brazil on the lookout for enemies and after various weeks of uneventful sailing , the fleeter French privateer lifts off in the fog and hits first under splintering fire , all but crippling the Surprise in an engagement in which Jack realizes his enemy's frigate is nautically superior to his own . Meantime the steadfast Jack Aubrey shares confidences and discussion with his cello-partner , close friend Stephan Maturin (Paul Bettany), a Darwinesque medic aboard . Aubrey is now faced with the choice of going back to Great Britain and admitting defeat or pursue the Acheron . Later on , they stop at Islands Galapagos where discover some extraordinary surprises .

This rousing adventure/war movie is packed with action , psychological studio with interesting human relations, thrills , and impressive maritime battles. The naval battle sequences are quite good , the movie is well developed because it gets to know the seamen who are locked aboard the narrow quarters of a three-masted frigate HMS and how they relationship everyday. The captain , lieutenant ,Midshipmen and sailors are well-known by the time the final battle takes place . Director Weir chose to build the yarn from an intelligent point of view , describing an enjoyable friendship among protagonists and hard conditions about naval way of life with authentic psychology of men at war . The story exudes actual naval life with military discipline, gunpowder , real battles full of heroism and tang of salt . Magnificent duo protagonist and complemented by a string of sterling players as Robert Pugh as the sailing master , James Dárcy as Lieutenant Tom , with special mention to Max Pirkis as the Midshipboy and Lee Ingleby as unfortunate officer . Wonderful cinematography by Russell Boyd reflecting magnificently the marvelous maritime exteriors and wooden interiors . Groundbreaking special effects during maritime storm with giant waves by designer William Sandell who also made the ¨ Perfect Storm¨ . Sensible score with some emotive song and including classic music by Boccerini when the starring are playing violin. The motion picture is stunningly directed by Australian director Peter Weir who achieved several hits (Witness, Gallipoli, The last wave) and some flop (Mosquito coast, The plumber). Rating : Better than average and well worth watching . This excellently mounted flick will appeal to Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany fans .