I remember seeing this in the theater when it came out and just marveling that A.) I was seeing a seemingly accurate depiction of 17th century sailing life; and B.) that the movie was more a snapshot of time for the story than usually seen on screen.
I cannot quite describe B, other than to say that every time I see this film, I wish it were considerably longer (meaning I love every minute of watching it). I had tried to read one of Patrick O’Brien’s novels years ago only to find it long winded and dull. But this movie holds me at perfect attention and literally glued to the screen.
Yet throughout it all, I never get the sense that I have seen a traditional movie composed of different acts. Instead, I come back to the analogy of a snap shot in time. I think the only other movie that I ever experienced this with was Pulp Fiction, and that was only with the first viewing.
I began writing this as an appreciation to the film, but now find myself fixated on that ‘snap shot’ quality. I love the film and wonder if anyone can recommend a movie with that same quality.
When I was watching the film the first time, a slow realization began to dawn on me, though it was one that was tough to swallow at first.
The realization was that this was, quite simply, the best sea-faring movie ever made. Better than the various Bounty incarnations. Better than the various Flynn & Fairbanks swashbucklers. Better than the Hornblower films I’d seen. Even better than some of the underrated Melville adaptations over time.
Its capture of period, detail, characterization, adventure, all in a non-pandering manner, was amazing to witness, and its genuine affection to the subject matter (in all its variety: maritime, class, scientific) was absolutely lovely to behold. Good humor, well-earned emotion, magnificent music and production values, and flawless acting. I can’t think of any genre that is so entrenched in film history that has had the “Best” of emerge in just the last few years, but M&C is a remarkable exception.
I think Peter Weir’s a terrific director, but even I didn’t expect something so mature, flavorful, rousing, and memorable as this was. I’ve never read the books so I can’t speak to how “faithful” the movie is to the source material, but as a cinematic achievement, it is a true gem.
I loved it too. It had a non-flashy sense of authenticity that few big-budget movies have. Of course the cost of production meant it was a mediocre film, commercially speaking.
There are about 15 minutes of very nice extra footage on the DVD set, including a long sequence named something like “Shipboard Life”.
This movie introduced me to the books, which I came to love. There are rumors of a second movie, by the way - Crowe is supposedly considering a script.
All the talk of authenticity sounds as though one were describing the books. I just began reading Master and Commander for the four hundredth time or so yesterday.
I… see. Never mind then. My seconds shall call upon you presently.
Seriously though - if the novel you read was Master & Commander, try reading POB again, but start with Desolation Island. You’re already familiar with the characters, and it’s the first full time sailing adventure novel, and has a closer feel to the movie. And you’ll recognize some of the the plots from the movie as well.
Plots from the movie? The film combined the novels Master and Commander and The Far Side of the World.
Unless I am mistaken, the Wiki article on the novel FSotW seems to confuse the film and the novel. They weren’t pursuing an American frigate in the novel, were they?
You’re right, there are no actual plot elements from Desolation Island in the movie. Though the movie borrows from several novels.
In the FSotW novel they were pursuing the Norfolk, an American frigate sent to destroy British whalers in the Pacific. It was set during the war of 1812. Interestingly, in the novel they never actually see the Norfolk, until they come upon its wrecked, sunken hull.
The Archeron from the movie had elements of the Cacafuego (M&C), the Norfolk from FSotW, and the Waakzaamheid from Desolation Island.
Fun trivia: FSoTW is based on the Royal Navy’s persuit of the USS Essex (and later another warship the Amerians outfitted from a siezed British whaling vessel, the Little Essex). The Essex sailed from the East Coast (well, the only coast) of the US, around Cape Horn, and up into the Pacific, where she made a menace of herself to the British whaling fleets operating there. She ended up being captured and put into service with the Royal Navy as the HMS Essex
A good time to read the series again. My memory is colored by Aubrey running like hell from American frigates. HMS Surprise was older and much smaller than the new heavy American frigates.
Since they used the first and tenth novels from the twenty book series, I figured it was a one shot deal.
By golly, they didn’t have Diana at all, did they?
My favorite scene is the escape from Boston, and I can’t see that without Diana.
“I suppose we shall leave sometime today.”
