Naval Historian Breaks Down 'Master and Commander' Movie | Deep Dives 

It merely had the misfortune to come out around the same time as Lord of the Rings lol

​@@Blisterdude123LotR was why it didn't do great for awards, in the box office it had to compete with Pirates of the Caribbean, which let's be honest is much more fun

It actually did okay, but not enough for the planned sequels!

There's a few already on M&C, like History Buffs for instance. I devour ones on this film ravenously

I have the DVD which I like to rewatch occassionally

Patrick O'Brien would've been proud, I feel

The adversary was American...O'Brien may have understood box office dynamics

I have a few quibbles. a/Russel Crowes fighting style is so ill suited to fighting aboard an 18th century man-of-war that he would never have survived long enough to make captain (or commander or whatever rank he has during this movie). Usually the officers had their sword in their right hand and a pistol in their left hand (which they also used as a club and a shield once they had fired it). B/ The ship surgeon would never be part of the boarding party. He would be busy amputating arms and legs in the sick bay. Having the surgeon take part in the combat is truly Bridgerton level historic inaccuracy. c/ The final ship battle the English crew fire at the French ships masts/sails/rigging, which is the French naval fighting style, and the French crew aim for the English ships hull, which is the English naval fighting style.

It uses a historical setting with historical accuracy to get a fictional story out

@@lilith3953In O'Brian's novels there is very little that is "usual" about the way Jack Aubrey fights. Maturin - the surgeon - was a crack shot and swordsman, so it's entirely plausible that he would have joined such a desperate fight as this. And the film makes much play of the Acheron's superiority in firepower and its reinforced hull, so a surprise disabling blow at the masts was likely the only winning strategy against such overwhelming odds.

They also don’t use loud music during the fighting, brings one much closer to the men

They also show the practice of bouncing cannonballs off waves to get greater distance. The French are doing that right at the start

Wdym diversity? The whole crew bar one are white males

@@SeminarioMAE as in you had sailors from all over the world.

@@SeminarioMAE Aren't all matelots lgbt characters?

😂😂 99% of wives don't appreciate the quality of this movie 😂

She's what we lubbers call a "keeper".

“Surprise is on our side.”

Jack would be very proud of that pun. XD

I do the same thing with this movie. My favorite film of all time is The Patriot, though. I have no idea how many times I've watched that movie but it's easily in the hundreds.

So true a blessing it wasn't ruined by a rushed sequel

If you are a reader that likes naval warfare during the Age of Sail, I strongly suggest the entire "Aubrey and Maturin" series by O'Brian. 20 odd books with these same characters.

@@TheJohn8765 I'm a fan of the Hornblower books by Forester

❤

I also think a sequel would've been difficult to pull off with a time-line that made sense, because they took stuff from all the books regardless of order. For example, Master and Commander is the first book but you can see Pullings already has the facial scar that he gets in the 8th book.

So simple yet so funny.

"He who would make a pun would pick a pocket!"

I wish english was my first language because I didn't fully get that one

​@@benoitbergeron8858It's true, I recently watched a Czech translation of the film and waited eagerly for the joke... Could they do it?... NO! "The Navy always chooses the smaller of two beetles,"?!!!!? I nearly cried! For the writer of the comment, the two beetle larvae are known as weevils; it is a play on words as in " To choose the lesser of two evils". Hope that helps :-)

To the lesser of two weevils!!

Very cool.

How interesting!

You learn something new every day.

I am the world’s #2 surround sound expert and I’ve never heard this.

@@The_ZeroLine I'm the world's #1 expert. This is why you'll always be #2 pal.

My favorite part is where the boy realizes one sailor doesn't know his left from right and rephrases it as "your starboard hand". A born leader ❤

@birchlover3377 is that the same scene where he is trying to sow up the bag holding his friends body, and then he turns to the older sailor and says he needs help because he's only got one arm. Such a good movie.

​@@mikeyloveshousemusicno, but that was another powerful scene! If I remember correctly the dialogue I mentioned was at the beginning of the battle scene where his friend is killed.

Lord Blakeney. The actor who played him was 13 at the time. My favourite scene was when Capt Aubrey gave him his personalised copy of Admiral Nelson's book, pointing out that the beloved admiral had also lost an arm in battle. In the scene you mention, after they blast a hole into the Acherons gundeck, he says "We must board them! Arm yourselves! Follow me!" and then jumps through the hole. One of the best characters (although Killick holds a special place "which it will be ready when it's ready")

Favorite scene for me as well! “ WE MUST BOARD THEM!” Goosebumps every time

It beat out Return of the King for Best Cinematography.

@@ladyzapzap9514 Damn right, I remember seeing it in theatres as a kid, such a good movie. Its like the gold standard of historical movies as far as getting it accurate and right.

I swear i remember this is the same exact words from cinema buffs. 😂

Mine two wish they made more

Same here

Same here … alongside Waterloo and Gettysburg … the movie introduced me to the books so I will forever be indebted to the creative team behind this film …

Yep, it sucks that Peter Weir quit directing before he made any sequels. One of the best directors ever.

It’s one of the most perfect movies ever made.

FYI, Richard O'Brian wrote under the name of Patrick O'Brian. Just hoping it adds clarity incase someone wants to get into this fantastic series of books following Aubrey and Maturin.

@@nevar108 Thanks. I was having a senior moment after recently rewatching Rocky Horror Picture Show (Richard O'Brien).

@@IntrospectorGeneral You were correct calling him Richard O'Brian. He was born Richard Patrick O'Brian, he writes under his middle name first.

@@nevar108 For what it's worth, he was actually born Richard Patrick Russ; O'Brian was the name he chose to use in later life.

As Ex-RAN myself this hit very close to home for me aswell. Takes me back to sea.

You do know that in the original novel American sailors were the enemy?

Yes. That was a time when both British and French navies thought they could prey on American shipping with impunity. They were wrong.​@@B-A-L

@@B-A-L How is that relevant? Where do you think we inherited our Naval customs? Now we have the fiercest Navy in history. Thank you Britain.

Most world militaries are absolutely lousy with traditions. I guess we can credit it to how long our species has been killing each other in a systematic manner.

If it was made today Aubrey would be a black woman 😂

​@@lilrawri8446😂

Holds up better than 99% of movies today. Not just period movies. A testament to film.

@@combatwombat2134 I definitely agree!

@@lilrawri8446 Trans black woman

I would have to say, i was lucky enough to see it in the theater and that was quite an experience. I hope you get to see it at someones home theater or a re-screening somewhere.

Yep, I always crank this on my home theater subs

Went to sea it 3 times in the cinema it was pretty good

I saw it in the cinema and it was so good I went back the same week to see it again. The only film I've ever done that for.

It was amazing. I got a little seasick during the storm scene.

One of the greatest lines in literature.

Said the bear... is always one that sticks with me. Such a good reveal. 😂

I’ve never read them. Any good?

"Stephen, your sloth, he is eating my hat." "So he is, too."

​@@alexweeks3359difficult to read for most readers id say but gets easier as you go... Well worth the effort though simply the best age of sail saga ever put to paper :)

There is no Captain Sparrow in this movie.

I visited The Rose in San Diego! As a history major who loved this era, it was a real treat!

How fortunate - I'm so jealous. (I'm also afraid of heights.)

​@@dougearnest7590 plenty of work to do on deck. We also didn't have safety harnesses when we were aloft, truly one hand for yourself and one for the ship.

I was onboard her just last month. Sadly she’s looking a little rough but the museum does what they can.

@@sirboomsalot4902 she's 50 years old. Honestly I'm surprised she's lasted this long.

I literally pick up a new historical detail every time I watch it, absolutely love it

It is ironic that the movie has become a model of depicting male bonding, with no female lead characters, though the book it is based on has more female characters at sea than any of the other books😊.

​@Zajuts149 watch Disney if you want woke!

@user-hq8bh1rw1y you do realise that the source material has women aboard? It is a major plot point. Captain Aubrey hates having women aboard ship since it causes tension, and in most books, there are no women aboard ship. They chose to make a movie of the book with most women aboard, and even a chapter with a Polynesian craft crewed by only women. Get back when you pass basic reading comprehension.

@Zajuts149 having females in the film would have added nothing to the film,and as for the film being a "model depicting male bonding"that smacks more of a modern cry for feminism that it does for depicting a historical take on naval warfare,as I said if you want woke,stick with Disney.

I love in San Diego. Are you telling me that H.M.S. Suprise us here in San Diego and I can go there to tour the vessel?? I don't believe yoh.

​@@mikeyloveshousemusic it's at the maritime museum downtown next to the Star of India.

Same here. It was around the Pirates movies and was overshadowed by LotR at the Academy Awards. It was years before I saw it and have been singing praises ever since

Didn't they?! They had worked together before in "A Beautiful Mind" a couple years earlier, but these characters had an extremely close and intimate relationship. Real companions

@@highcountrydelatite20.5. 21 is hard to read because it just stops abruptly sucks he couldent finish.

I envy you, getting to watch it for the first time =). It is such a great film. If you enjoy the film there is a whole series of books the film is based on you will probably like if you like the film.

Such captures of larger ships by considerably smaller ones did happen, the Spanish 32 gun frigate El Gamo being taken by the brig HMS Speedy, 14 guns, on the 6th of May, 1801. HMS Speedy being captained by Lord Cochrane who used a similar ruse to that seen in the film, raising an American flag when challenged by El Gamo. This allowed HMS Speedy to get in close, effectively under the guns of the El Gamo before raising British colours and opening fire. So, unusual, but it did happen.

Thomas Cochrane.

And I double checked it on Google, and still messed up. Thanks!

Love the score! Ralph Vaughan Williams, Bach, Boccherini

Cochrane was real gangster in the stuff he pulled. Easily the greatest single captain in british history as far as raw achievements.

Thank you for sharing this I never knew! Now I gotta go out and get all 20 books!

Peter Weir had committed in principle to make a sequel before starting work on this movie although he was not really interested and his experience was that a sequel would be unlikely . He combined elements of several books to make Master and Commander a complete story but added the final twist to provide a link to a sequel. The movie made a profit but not the megaprofit of other franchises like X-Men, Pirates of the Carribean, and Spiderman so the sequel never happened. Peter Weir has never made a movie with a sequel and had the experience of studios wasting time with sequel projects they were never going to make.

I cannot imagine that a sequel could be better or at the same level of perfection of this film. ❤ I have only seen that happen once - “Bladerunner” and “Bladerunner 2049.”

To me, the late 90’s and early 00’s were kind of a golden era of movies. Through Saving Private Ryan to Master and Commander, and more, there were some great movies made. Makes one wonder how we degenerated into the state of movies now.

​@@CaveWyattagreed

Yes absolutely, this great movie and LOTR 's all at the same time!!

yes even to this day officers are taught to speak a certain way

Officers were not taught to be “above” the crew. They were taught over many years to be able to lead (know everybody’s job), navigate, tactically “fight the ship”, fight one on one, plus over time - develop combat strategy, and obviously, show discipline, fairness, and courage. They were taught to earn respect and show respect. Not all young officers made it to earning the respect of the crew, and were not leaders. They were put ashore and often, discharged. “Midshipmen” is the rank they held until they were commissioned by the King or Queen. They berthed apart, but many had rather humble origins in society. Becoming an officer brought them up in social standing, so yes, they were taught how to speak politely, to dine properly, and to serve others. They were often the de facto ambassadors of the “Crown” while abroad. This film is wonderful in that it brings all of these elements to life. I loved my career in the Navy, under HRH Queen Elizabeth II. I finished as a senior officer and held command of a ship prior to retirement, I write this so you know I am not writing fiction.

@doogleticker5183 things have changed alot since the olden days. Most captains demanded and expected respect which is not to say that many didn't deserve it, as you say they were masters of men and to help with that image at the time they had to appear to be above the common crew man and their fore no fraternizing with them, hence the separate officers mess hall. FYI I've worked on merchant navy (not as grand as your station and respect to you but I'm not making it up either).

@@Ulfhednir9-The merchant navy is not the military, and that's fine. I respect all who deserve it, and the merchant marine certainly does! My point is that naval officers and petty officers know the difference between being "above" and having a "leadership" role, from the ranks of leading seaman to the Admirals. The backbone of any ship's crew is those senior chief petty officers and petty officers. That was drilled into our heads as middies. And reinforced with experience. Officers need excellent NCOs to get on with their own work. The men also learn that fraternization is not about officers being above them. All it takes is one deployment to get that idea out of their noggins. That's not to say ALL officers learn their place - this causes evident problems, but as I mentioned, they tend not to get very far in their careers. The RN has strong traditions that have lasted centuries, including developing leaders. Nobility was never a guarantee of progression, so "above" (socially?) is not how it worked or works. There were three messes, and the Commanding Officer was a guest in the officer's mess. Naval personnel are segregated but not inherently superior to other men (no blue blood). Senior officers got to that rank primarily due to hard work, talent, and leadership skills. And you cannot lead without earning respect and demanding it in the rare cases that it is not given, usually by one person. That is true for the NCOs as well. Executive Officers (1st mate) are responsible for all the personnel and their comportment. They are aided by the ship's Senior Chief Petty Officer (the Cox'n). It's a system that has worked in the past and present. Now, you may disagree. You can cite the organization of armies; their organizational culture is different, and I'm no expert. But I'll hold fast that the RN, at least, has not radically changed. I may be wrong: who knows what woke cancel culture has done to institutions. From what I know, the men and women of the Navy are as fine as they ever have been. Fair winds and following seas.

@doogleticker5183 Of course, I don't refer to the modern RN as I have little experience in that regard outside the RNZ merchant navy and sea scouts. What I refer to is napoleonic navys which has changed in many respects. I believe they reviewed and changed the no socialize with the rank and file after the bounty mutiny but I'm not 100% sure if that is when it happened. The fact officers have their own separate mess halls and finer meals is reminiscent of the segregation. Ofcourse many of the other proud traditions remain untouched by time and even back then Britannia ruled the waves for good reason so I'd never doubt nor insult the officers nor crew of that time whom evidently were more than exemplary in their duties. It is no insult to say back then their was a few minor cultural differences such as this as well as a few others ie the use of young boys on a warship, keel hauling and striking with the 9 tails. May the wind always be on your back :)

If you read some of the things about the British navy of the time (defender of the slave trade, and systematic r*p*r of enslaved black women, not to mention enabling the exploiting of India) you would probably change your mind - unless your a psychopath.

@@highcountrydelatite You know what , that's a splendid idea - thanks for the idea , I'm going to get the entire series.

It probably wojld be a pain to adapt as he wasn't one for thinking about plot. Most of the books meander like real life so wouldn't work well adapted into a series. This film worked because peter weir knew his stuff backwards. Don't think anyone could do a better job

@@megan14.85 Also, the director would have to continue with having an Aubrey throughout like Crowe. Although Crowe is excellent, he is nothing like the Jack Aubrey of the books. And Maturin is too complex to portray on screen. Then there is the particular humour of )/Brian that would be hard to translate to screen without it becoming farce at times.

I think it's an A- adaption of the characters and series as a whole, rather than a specific novel.

I did as well wen I was out for my sons graduation from bootcamp in 06. Such a neat treat!

No, I don't agree with that. I think this movie said it all.

All of what?! This is based on a series of books - there were many more stories to tell.​@@giselematthews7949

@@giselematthews7949 Plenty of material left in the Aubrey-Maturin series of books. But maybe there's this bitter-sweet realization that as there will not be a sequel, which in a way elevates this one even more. Particularly considering most sequels are disappointing.