Movies

Why ‘Master and Commander’ Drowned in Piracy’s Shadow

BBG News

In November 2003, the historical war drama “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” hit theaters, radiating an air of grandeur. Helmed by acclaimed director Peter Weir and featuring a ready Russell Crowe, the movie was immediately recognized as a strong candidate for major awards upon its release. Additionally, “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” was designed to kickstart a series of films.

Although the critically acclaimed film received 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Picture, its franchise aspirations were dashed due to lower-than-expected box office earnings. As talk about a prequel continues, let’s revisit Crowe and Weir’s masterpiece, which earned a unique place in history as one of the most impressive opening films in a film series that ultimately never came to be.

‘Master and Commander’ Turns Oceans into Battlefields

In the era of the Napoleonic Wars, the film “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” showcases one of Russell Crowe’s standout roles as Captain Jack Aubrey, commander of the British frigate HMS Surprise. In a gripping opening sequence, the Surprise is viciously attacked by its longtime adversary, the powerful French warship Acheron, near the Brazilian coast, inflicting severe damage upon it. Seeking safety in a fog bank, the battered Aubrey receives orders to return to port. Despite this, the resolute Aubrey, determined to thwart the advance of Acheron towards the British whaling fleet, commands repairs to be carried out on the Surprise at sea itself. This daring decision leads to another ambush by Acheron, forcing Aubrey and his crew to seek refuge in the Galápagos Islands.

In the initial scenes, Aubrey is portrayed as a strong yet empathetic and authentic leader, displaying both the humility characteristic of history’s most renowned military figures and the relentless drive typical of warlords. The movie, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, skillfully sets the stage for this exploration by meticulously depicting the geography and physical environment of the British navy in a vivid and immersive manner. As a result, it offers an intriguing examination of behaviors and personalities, particularly focusing on Aubrey’s dynamic with his ship’s unconventional surgeon, Stephen Maturin, played by Paul Bettany.

As it may appear that our contrasting traits put us at odds, my friend and I forge a winning alliance through the harmonious blend of our unique qualities. Much like how Aubrey’s unorthodox strategies save his ship from perilous situations, Maturin – who shares a passion for avian and insect life over warfare – demonstrates remarkable skill by performing brain surgery on board the Surprise. With a coin, he seals the hole in his conscious patient’s brain, showcasing an unparalleled blend of resourcefulness and precision.

‘Master and Commander’ Is Based On a Series of Popular Novels

The movie “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” is adapted from Patrick O’Brian’s cherished Aubrey-Maturin book series, consisting of 20 novels. The storyline predominantly follows the 10th novel in the series, “The Far Side of the World,” while also drawing inspiration from “Master and Commander” and the fifth novel, “Desolation Island.

In 2009, Russell Crowe mentioned he was discussing roles for a sequel to Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, which was planned to be adapted from the 11th book in the Aubrey-Maturin series titled The Reverse of the Medal, originally published in 1986. It wasn’t until June 2021 that a prequel was announced, with the news that it would focus solely on the events depicted in the first novel, where a young Jack Aubrey forges his bond with naval surgeon Stephen Maturin upon receiving his first command.

‘Master and Commander’ Was Overshadowed by ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’

The main reason given for why the movie “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” didn’t become a series is largely due to its disappointing box office earnings. However, Russell Crowe has suggested that the influence of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films, particularly the first one, “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” which premiered in theaters four months prior to the release of “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” may have played a role in preventing the franchise from taking off.

In contrast to Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, which made $212 million at the global box office, with a production cost of $150 million, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl raked in over $650 million. During an interview with GQ in 2024, Crowe admitted that the launch of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl significantly dampened public interest for another sea-faring blockbuster film, thus effectively hindering the prospects of a sequel for Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. In stark contrast, the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise, consisting of five movies over 14 years, has earned more than $4.5 billion at the global box office. At present, you can rent Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World on Prime Video and Apple TV.

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2025-04-23 06:02

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