The Bottom Line
"Master and Commander" may not have been the overwhelming box office success the filmmakers were hoping it would be, however the movie was a critical success, earning 10 Academy Award nominations (a large accomplishment in a year filled with big-budget epic motion pictures). The Collector's Edition 2-Disc set lives up to its title - it's a truly worthy addition to any DVD collection.
Pros
- Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany
- You couldn't ask for a better collection of bonus material
- The DVD release loses nothing of the movie's beauty
Cons
- None worth noting
Description
- "In the Wake of O'Brian" - Peter Weir discusses adapting O'Brian's work for the big screen
- "The Hundred Days" - A one hour in-depth look at the making of the movie
- "Cinematic Phasmids" - The art and craft of visual deception as used in "Master and Commander"
- "Sound Design" - Researching the noises of the era, plus an interactive cannon demonstration
- "HBO First Look" - HBO takes a look at the filming of "Master and Commander"
- Six Deleted Scenes
- Multi-Camera Shooting - Three scenes with various camera angles to choose from
- Still Galleries and 3 trailers
- 28 page collectible booklet
Guide Review - "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" Collector's Edition DVD Review
Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany reunite for director Peter Weir's adaptation of "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World." Crowe stars as Captain 'Lucky' Jack Aubrey, the commander of a British frigate locked in a cat and mouse chase with a speedier French warship. Paul Bettany co-stars as Dr. Stephen Maturin, the ship's surgeon and naturalist. Shot at sea and packed with action, "Master and Commander" succeeds in combining the story of a battle between warring countries and the story of a friendship between two very different men without compromising either storyline.
As if the beauty of the movie wasn't enough, the Collector's Edition of "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" on DVD features a veritable treasure trove of behind the scenes features. The "Hundred Days" feature is particularly entertaining, with director Peter Weir walking viewers through the step-by-step process of making the film.
