Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a 2003 film directed by Peter Weir, starring Russell Crowe as Jack Aubrey, with Paul Bettany as Stephen Maturin and released by 20th Century Fox, Miramax Films and Universal Studios. It is adapted from three novels in the Aubrey–Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian. The film was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Academy Award for Best Picture, and won in two categories, Best Cinematography and Sound Effects Editing.

The film takes place in 1805, during the Napoleonic Wars. Captain Aubrey of HM Frigate Surprise is ordered to pursue the French privateer Acheron and "burn, sink, or take her a prize." As the film opens, Surprise midshipman Hollom briefly spies a dark shape in a fog bank. After some uncertainty and hesitation, the call to beat to quarters is given, and Surprise is attacked by Acheron. The British warship is heavily damaged, while its own shots do not penetrate Acheron's hull. The Surprise crew uses the ship's boats to tow the ship into the fog, where it evades its pursuer. Aubrey learns from a crewman who saw the Acheron built in America that it is heavier and faster than Surprise, and the senior officers consider the ship out of their class. Aubrey notes that such a ship could tip the balance of power in Napoleon's favor and orders a refit at sea and pursuit of Acheron, rather than return to port for repairs. When Acheron again ambushes Surprise, Aubrey slips away in the night by using a decoy. Following the privateer south, Surprise rounds Cape Horn. In the high winds the topmast breaks, throwing a popular crewman into the water; Aubrey is forced to leave the man to his fate lest the wreckage sink Surprise. The ship heads to the Galapagos Islands, where Aubrey is sure Acheron will prey on Britain's whaling fleet. The ship's doctor, Maturin, is interested in the islands' ecosystem, and Aubrey promises his friend several days' exploration time. When Surprise reaches the Galapagos they recover the survivors of a whaling ship destroyed by Acheron. Realizing the ship is close, Aubrey hastily pursues the privateer. Maturin feels that Aubrey is going back on his word, and is following Acheron more out of pride than duty. During their pursuit, Surprise is becalmed. The heat and lack of water lead the crew to believe there is a Jonah aboard—someone bringing the ship bad luck. Hollom is singled out as the source of the bad luck; one crewman openly insults Hollom and is flogged. Hollom later commits suicide by jumping into the ocean clutching a cannon ball. After a memorial service, the wind picks up and the pursuit continues. When one of the ship's Marines attempts to shoot down an albatross, he accidentally hits Maturin. The surgeon's mate informs Aubrey that the bullet and a piece of cloth it took with it must be removed, but the operation should be performed on solid ground. Despite closing on Acheron, Aubrey turns around and takes the doctor back to the Galapagos. Maturin performs surgery on himself using a mirror. Giving up the pursuit of the privateer, Aubrey grants Maturin the chance to explore the island and gather specimens before they head for home. On crossing the island looking for a species of flightless cormorant, the doctor discovers Acheron. Abandoning most of his specimens to make it back quickly, Maturin warns Aubrey, and Surprise readies for battle. Due to Acheron's sturdy hull, the Surprise must get in close to deal damage. After observing the camouflage ability of one of Maturin's animals—a stick insect—Aubrey is inspired to disguise Surprise as a whaling ship; he hopes the French, in their greed, would close to capture the ship rather than destroy it. The French take the bait and the frigate pulls alongside of Surprise, which retaliates with a volley of cannon fire, destroying the French ship's mainmast. Aubrey leads boarding parties across the wreckage, engaging in fierce hand-to-hand combat before the ship is captured. Looking for Acheron's captain, Aubrey is directed to the sickbay, where the French doctor tells him the captain is dead and offers Aubrey the captain's sword. Acheron and Surprise are repaired; while Surprise will remain in the Galapagos, the captured Acheron is to be taken to Valparaíso. As Acheron sails away, Maturin mentions a French crewman told him that their doctor had died months ago. Realizing Acheron's captain deceived him by dressing as the doctor, Aubrey gives the order to beat to quarters and escort the Acheron to Valparaíso. Maturin is again denied the chance to explore the Galapagos. Aubrey wryly notes that since the bird Maturin seeks is flightless, "it's not going anywhere", and the two play a selection of Luigi Boccherini as the crew assumes battle stations.