“Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” (2003)
Peter Weir’s Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a film adaptation of many threads from Patrick O’Brian’s popular Aubrey/Maturin series, which my husband G. Grod is about halfway through reading. I’ve seen the film before, and was again impressed. Weir is a skilled director, the cast, led by Russell Crowe and Paul Betanny, is strong, the story compelling, and the photography of life at sea both beautiful and stirring. I haven’t yet read the O’Brian books, though I intend to. I am glad to have seen the movie on its own, so that the books might improve upon it, rather than detract from it, as happens too often if I read the book first.
Movie trivia: Russell Crowe learned to play violin for the film. About 27 miles of rope were used for the ship scenes.The rope was made special for the film, since rope of the time laid left, not right, as modern rope does.
There are a few book-based movies coming out, Revolutionary Road and The Road, and one I just saw, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Once I’d have rushed to read the book first. Now I’m going to try to read the book after. I’ll let you know if the results are promising.
December 29th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
My hubby and I loved this movie - and I was hoping they would make a sequel, but not so far. I haven’t read any of the books yet, though my sister loves them.
December 30th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I don’t think it did well enough to earn a sequel, which is too bad, because it’s really good.
December 31st, 2008 at 7:45 am
i don’t like the books at all. boooooring. the movie scrunches together parts from a few. adds a LOT of drama.