Max Benitz was in attendance at 20th Century Fox’s San Diego Premiere of “Master and Commander,” taking in all the hoopla and looking a little bit like a deer caught in the headlights. After the initial shock of walking down the red carpet wore off, Benitz seemed more at ease and ready to talk about working on this epic drama based on the Patrick O’Brian novels and directed by Peter Weir.
MAX BENITZ (Midshipman Calamy):
Tell me a little bit about your character ‘Calamy’ and what he does in “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the Sea.”
He’s sort of a miniature Jack Aubrey, which is Russell Crowe’s part. He’s young and very much under the influence of Aubrey.
So Calamy is on the ship to learn the ropes?
Yes, he’s being trained on the job. Rather than doing school, he’s on a ship. From the age of 12, my character is 17, he’s been on board a ship for five years, not staying on land very often. The ship is really his home and pretty much all he knows.
And you shot most of your scenes on the boat?
On the boat in the tank where they shot “Titanic.” It’s a big swimming pool (laughing). The live shots with the ship there (pointing to the ship docked behind him) were done from when we’d sail out of Ensenada each morning and then get the shot, and then sail back, which was a lot of fun. We were out of sight of land for a lot of the time, helicopters going around with cameras underneath – it was quite an experience.
Did you have any problems with motion sickness?
No, I wasn’t actually ill. The weirdest thing is when you get back on land, I found. [I had] a little bit of land-sickness. But on the sea, we were all given patches and tablets and those bands that you wear around your wrist – all sorts of things - so I didn’t, luckily, get ill. I think a lot of people were ill. One of the actors was so ill, he was actually ill in his top hat, which is quite funny.
What type of training did you do for this film?
The training wasn’t too intense. We learned a lot in a very short period of time. We learned everything from how to handle monkeys and parrots, right through to how to fire cannons. It was very varied.
What was harder - learning how to handle a monkey or firing a cannon?
I think it would have to be the monkey. They were cool. The animals were brilliant. They were very well-trained.
What was the most difficult scene for you to do?
The storm was quite fun and quite difficult. We were wet for two weeks, basically. You turn up, get wet, go home. That was pretty much what the days were for two weeks. It was a lot of fun.
What’s it like working with Russell Crowe?
Great. Just watching him on the set is an education in itself because he’s such an experienced and talented actor. He’s got a lot to teach me.
And working with Paul Bettany?
My character didn’t work with him too much. He’s a very funny guy. When we both would have time off, if Paul was around he’d have us all in fits of laughter. He’s very witty and very quick.
What was it like shooting this film?
It was a lot of fun. It was quite intense. None of us went back to England during it so we spent six months away from home and family. It was a lot of fun, but there were times when some of us were missing home. Because there were 25 English actors out there we got behind each other, and really supported each other and had a great time.
Russell Crowe organized some rugby games for the cast and crew. Did you play during your free time?
I have two left feet and two left hands as well, so I cannot play at all for love nor money. I didn’t really do the rugby thing, to be honest.
What’s your next project?
College, I think, will probably be my next project.
College then back to acting, or are you not sure if you’re going to continue with acting?
I think maybe some acting and some college.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Interview with Russell Crowe (Capt. Jack Aubrey)
Interview with Paul Bettany (Dr. Stephen Maturin)
"Master and Commander" Photo Gallery, Trailer, Cast List, and News
