Master and Commander

(Peter Weir, US 2003, 138 min., 35mm)

“When your character is called master and commander, you better be a take-charge guy.” This bon mot begins Jack Garner’s 2003 review of one of his favorites of that year. He credits veteran director Peter Weir (Dead Poets Society, The Truman Show) and a peak Russell Crowe performance for its success. Based on the first and tenth novels in Patrick O’Brian’s historical seafaring adventure yarns, the film finds Captain Jack Aubrey assigned to the HMS Surprise during the Napoleonic Wars and tasked with tracking and defeating the French ship Acheron, which has been crippling the British whaling fleet. Around the tip of South America and into the Pacific, the Surprise stalks her superior prey, refitting at sea after an early defeat. This film sings on 35mm, with Weir’s beautiful vistas spanning the screen and the digital soundtrack immersing the audience in the raging battles.