--- title: "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/master-and-commander-the-far-side-of-the-world/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/master-and-commander-the-far-side-of-the-world" critics_score: 77 critics_reviews: 9 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003): what the critics said Critics' score 77 from 9 reviews: 7 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics welcome Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World as an intelligent, character-led sea adventure. Praise centres on the detailed shipboard life, the force of the naval battles and Russell Crowe’s authority as Captain Aubrey. Paul Bettany also draws strong notices, with several reviews finding warmth and philosophical depth in the friendship between Aubrey and Dr Maturin. Peter Weir’s attention to daily routines gives the action a convincing setting without, for most critics, overwhelming the story. The reservations concern pace, emotional involvement and how much pleasure survives the seriousness. Several reviews find that the middle stretch slackens, while Empire admires the realism but wants more fun and feeling. Slant Magazine offers the sharpest dissent, finding contrived conflicts and over-edited battles where others see convincing drama and excitement. The spread is chiefly between enthusiastic approval and qualified admiration, with a smaller strand finding the film handsome but dull. ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 14 November 2003. The critic praises the film's exuberant yet intelligent sea adventure that re-creates the British navy world of 1805 with remarkable detail, turning battles into stages for character and personality. He singles out the central friendship between Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin for its philosophical depth and the performances of Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/master-and-commander-the-far-side-of-the-world-2003) ## Evening Standard — Neil Norman Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. Peter Weir's adaptation is a terrific, character-driven Boy's Own adventure with microscopic attention to historical detail and authentic sea battles. The enduring friendship between Aubrey and Maturin provides philosophical heart and moving contemplative moments. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/captain-courageous-7437114.html) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 5 November 2003. The review highlights the film's intimate portrait of life at sea with rich detail and atmosphere, well-acted characters, and a satisfying pursuit story that makes for an old-fashioned but effective adventure romp. Russell Crowe's commanding performance is singled out as central to its appeal. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/master-and-commander-the-far-side-of-the-world/4015869.article) ## Time Out — WH Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). The critic calls the film a rousing adventure with authentic seafaring detail, strong performances from Crowe and Bettany, and effective action and character psychology. A minor complaint is the tension-slackening Galapagos interlude, but overall it is praised as a fine old-fashioned Boy's Own yarn. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/master-and-commander-the-far-side-of-the-world) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 10 November 2003. The review highlights the film's return to realistic naval combat epic set in the Napoleonic Wars, praising its pedigree with Peter Weir directing and Russell Crowe starring. It emphasizes the realism of the battle sequences and strong awards potential across multiple categories. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2003/film/awards/master-and-commander-the-far-side-of-the-world-1117895464/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 14 November 2003. The critic lauds Russell Crowe's commanding performance as Capt. Jack Aubrey and the film's extraordinary authenticity and visual detail in re-creating the nautical world. He notes that while it aims for an intelligent epic, it succeeds primarily through its epic action qualities rather than emotional depth. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-nov-14-et-turan14-story.html) ## Empire — Colin Kennedy Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). The film excels in its detailed realism and Russell Crowe's nuanced performance as Captain Jack Aubrey, with an exhilarating opening sea battle standing out. However, the middle section drags like a travelogue and the story lacks sufficient fun or emotional depth. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/master-commander-far-side-world-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Jeremiah Kipp Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 7 November 2003. The critic finds the film overly serious and dull despite strong period detail and Russell Crowe's star power. It criticizes the script for tacked-on conflicts and hyper-edited battles that fail to deliver swashbuckling excitement. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/master-and-commander-the-far-side-of-the-world/) ## The AV Club — Scott Tobias 10 November 2003. The review highlights the film's impressive physical production values and authentic depiction of 19th-century warships. It singles out Russell Crowe's commanding performance as the standout element that elevates the cat-and-mouse naval drama. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/master-and-commander-the-far-side-of-the-world-1798199165) ## The Guardian — Philip French 21 November 2003. Weir has fashioned a crackingly entertaining yarn, perhaps the most purely enjoyable film of the year, with Russell Crowe in an infectiously enjoyable role. The film features superb battle setpieces, authentic period detail, and a thrilling adventure that sags a bit in the middle but delivers breathtaking effects. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2003/nov/21/master-and-commander-the-far-side-of-the-world-review) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Michael Rechtshaffen 14 November 2018. The critic praises Peter Weir and Russell Crowe for delivering a compelling naval epic that balances character motivation with rousing action sequences. The film is noted for its strong adaptation of the source novels and immersive sea-bound storytelling. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/master-commander-far-side-world-review-2003-movie-1152999/) ## The New York Times — A. O. Scott Rating NYT Critic’s Pick. 14 November 2003. The critic calls the film stupendously entertaining and a magnificent demonstration of vigor and precision in adapting Patrick O'Brian's novels. He highlights its celebration of an idea of England and the way it distills the essence of the hero's charisma through sharp command and quick action. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/14/movies/film-review-master-of-the-sea-and-the-french.html) ## Eye for Film — Scott Macdonald Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 6 December 2006. The critic calls it an elegant and handsome action film and a rousing adventure story that credits viewers with intelligence. They single out the strong performances by Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany along with the verisimilitude of the production design and the episodic screenplay. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/master-and-commander-the-far-side-of-the-world-film-review-by-scott-macdonald) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/master-and-commander-the-far-side-of-the-world.md