Master & Commander: The Far Side of the Blu-ray

An Exhaustive Guide to the Epic Maritime Adventure on Blu-ray

Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) is an acclaimed historical epic maritime adventure film directed by Peter Weir and starring Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, and Billy Boyd. The film is based on the Aubrey–Maturin series of novels by Patrick O'Brian.

Blu-ray Release

The film was released on Blu-ray on September 19, 2006, by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. The Blu-ray includes the following features:

• Director's Cut: A longer version of the film with approximately 10 minutes of additional footage.
• Commentary by Director Peter Weir: An in-depth commentary with Weir discussing the film's production, characters, and themes.
• Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes: Several featurettes exploring the film's development, production design, cinematography, and music.
• Deleted Scenes: A selection of deleted scenes with optional commentary by Weir.
• Storyboard-to-Film Comparisons: A comparison of storyboard panels with corresponding scenes from the film.
• Photo Gallery: A collection of still photographs from the film's production.

The Film

Master & Commander tells the story of Captain Jack Aubrey (Crowe) and his ship, the HMS Surprise, during the Napoleonic Wars. Aubrey is a fearless and skilled captain, but he is also reckless and arrogant. When his ship is damaged in battle, he sails to the Galapagos Islands for repairs. Along the way, he encounters the French warship Acheron, commanded by Captain Duvall (Bettany).

The two ships fight a fierce battle, and Aubrey is victorious. However, his ship is severely damaged, and he is forced to leave many of his men behind. Aubrey and his crew eventually return home, but they are haunted by the memory of the battle.

Master & Commander is a visually stunning and emotionally powerful film. Weir's direction is masterful, and the performances by Crowe and Bettany are superb. The film was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Box Office Performance

Master & Commander grossed $211.7 million worldwide, against a production budget of $105 million. The film was a box office success, but it did not meet the expectations of the studio. The film's performance was likely affected by its length (182 minutes) and its lack of overt action.

Critical Reception

Master & Commander received critical acclaim. The film was praised for its acting, direction, cinematography, and historical accuracy. It was also praised for its willingness to tackle complex themes such as leadership, duty, and friendship. The film was named one of the year's best films by many critics, and it was nominated for numerous awards.

Blu-ray Sales

Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World has sold over 2.5 million copies on Blu-ray. The film is one of the best-selling Blu-ray titles of all time.

Conclusion

Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World is a classic maritime adventure film. The film's Blu-ray release is a must-have for fans of the film and for Blu-ray collectors.

Additional Information

Tables

Table 1: Blu-ray Editions of Master & Commander

Table 2: Box Office Performance of Master & Commander

Table 3: Critical Reception of Master & Commander

Table 4: Blu-ray Sales of Master & Commander

Tips and Tricks

• Watch the film with the commentary by Director Peter Weir.
• Pay attention to the film's historical accuracy.
• Read the Aubrey-Maturin series of novels.
• Visit the HMS Surprise, which is docked in San Diego.

FAQs

Q: Is Master & Commander worth watching?

A: Yes, Master & Commander is a classic maritime adventure film. It is a visually stunning and emotionally powerful film with superb performances by Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany.

Q: Is Master & Commander historically accurate?

A: Yes, Master & Commander is generally historically accurate. The film's depiction of naval life during the Napoleonic Wars is highly detailed and authentic.

Q: What are the special features on the Blu-ray release of Master & Commander?

A: The Blu-ray release of Master & Commander includes a Director's Cut, Commentary by Director Peter Weir, Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes, Deleted Scenes, Storyboard-to-Film Comparisons, and a Photo Gallery.

Q: What is the running time of Master & Commander?

A: The Director's Cut of Master & Commander has a running time of 182 minutes. The theatrical cut has a running time of 128 minutes.

Q: Who composed the music for Master & Commander?

A: The music for Master & Commander was composed by Iva Davies.

Q: What is the aspect ratio of the Blu-ray release of Master & Commander?

A: The Blu-ray release of Master & Commander has an aspect ratio of 2.35:1.

Q: Is Master & Commander available on streaming services?

A: Yes, Master & Commander is available on streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video and Hulu.