Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

Plot Summary

In April 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars, H.M.S. Surprise, a British frigate, is under the command of Captain Jack Aubrey. Aubrey and the Surprise's current orders are to track and capture or destroy a French privateer named Acheron. The Acheron is currently in the Atlantic off South America headed toward the Pacific in order to extend Napoleon's reach of the wars. This task will be a difficult one as Aubrey quickly learns in an initial battle with the Acheron that it is a bigger and faster ship than the Surprise, which puts the Surprise at a disadvantage. Aubrey's single-mindedness in this seemingly impossible pursuit puts him at odds with the Surprise's doctor and naturalist, Stephen Maturin, who is also Aubrey's most trusted advisor on board and closest friend. Facing other internal obstacles which have resulted in what they consider a string of bad luck, Aubrey ultimately uses Maturin's scientific exploits to figure out a way to achieve his and the ship's seemingly impossible goal.

Notice: This text may contain spoilers.

Release Date

Also Known As (A.K.A.)

Certification

Sensitive content guide

Awards

BAFTA Awards (2004)

BAFTA Film Award 2004

Nominated

Best Film

Samuel Goldwyn Jr. Peter Weir Duncan Henderson

BAFTA Film Award 2004

Nominated

Best Cinematography

Russell Boyd

BAFTA Film Award 2004

Winner

Best Costume Design

Wendy Stites

BAFTA Film Award 2004

Winner

Best Production Design

William Sandell

BAFTA Film Award 2004

Nominated

Best Achievement in Special Visual Effects

Stefen Fangmeier Nathan McGuinness Robert Stromberg Daniel Sudick

BAFTA Film Award 2004

Winner

Best Sound

Richard King Doug Hemphill Paul Massey Art Rochester

Academy Awards, USA (2004)

Oscar 2004

Nominated

Best Picture

Samuel Goldwyn Jr. Peter Weir Duncan Henderson

Oscar 2004

Nominated

Best Costume Design

Wendy Stites

Oscar 2004

Nominated

Best Art Direction-Set Decoration

William Sandell Robert Gould

Oscar 2004

Winner

Best Sound Editing

Richard King

Oscar 2004

Nominated

Best Film Editing

Lee Smith

Oscar 2004

Winner

Best Cinematography

Russell Boyd

Oscar 2004

Nominated

Best Visual Effects

Daniel Sudick Stefen Fangmeier Nathan McGuinness Robert Stromberg

Oscar 2004

Nominated

Best Sound Mixing

Paul Massey Doug Hemphill Art Rochester

Oscar 2004

Nominated

Best Makeup

Edouard F. Henriques Yolanda Toussieng

Golden Globes, USA (2004)

Golden Globe 2004

Nominated

Best Motion Picture - Drama