I saw it Friday afternoon in a big movie theater with real big screen.
Only on the big screen will this movie come alive.

While I think that the dramatic storry was not tight and intense like a good
drama should be, I thought that the movie was a bit like a fantastic
non-fictional reportage, where the dramatic story becomes somewhat
invissible and not so coherent as usual in Hollywood.

I thought that it was the most realistic description of naval history that I
have seen. Seen in this context the (almost) lack of traditional dramatic
storry becomes a strength and not a weaknes.

Also I think it was the best "sailship-picture" I have seen.

So for anyone with an interest in historic sailing ships or naval history, I
think this is a real great movie - but I will also warn against draging a
not-so-interested partner to the show.

Peter S/Y Anicula

A few comments below:

"Bobsprit" skrev i en meddelelse
...
Master and Commander was very weak. There's no bloody villain! No
conflict!
It's overproduced, underwritten with no real focus. The French ship never
has
ANY character.

I think that one does not always know the enimy well in real life?

Aubrey may as well be battling a big wave....but even that would
be more interesting. Beyond the poor script, other aspects of the film
were
okay. Crowe failed to impress me as a boat captain, mumbling half of his
lines
and over-acting with others. Peter Wier's direction is not suited for a
film of
this type.

The battle scenes are big but not cohesive in the least. He has no
control over 3 dimensional film space during action sequences, unless they
are
very linear and contained as in Witness or Fearless. The final engagement
makes
little or no sense at all.

Probably a bit like real life, dont you think ?

In two scenes you could see HUGE black fenders on deck, clearly set for
raft-ups for the camera barge. Very dangerous. And finally, no sharks are
used
in the film!
Clearly...I'm quite dissapointed.

To avoid dissapointment...among other greats...

Moby Dick (Huston version)
Dead Calm
The Sea Wolf (Curtiz version)
Mutiny on the Bounty (With Charles Laughton-probably still the best)

RB