Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (M) PRESENTED IN 35MM FILM

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World at The Revival House Perth

In 1805, during the Napoleonic Wars, Captain "Lucky" Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) commands HMS Surprise, a British frigate patrolling the South American coast. When the Surprise encounters the Acheron—a French privateer that's larger, faster, and more heavily armed—Aubrey's ship suffers devastating damage in a surprise attack. Despite the overwhelming odds and the concerns of his closest friend, ship's surgeon and naturalist Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany), Aubrey becomes obsessed with hunting down and capturing the superior enemy vessel. The pursuit takes them from the coast of Brazil around Cape Horn to the Galápagos Islands, testing the crew's loyalty, the ship's endurance, and Aubrey's leadership as he must balance his duty to the Crown with the welfare of his men. In the age of wooden ships and iron men, success demands both tactical brilliance and the willingness to risk everything.

Director Peter Weir crafts an intimate epic that brings Patrick O'Brian's beloved novels to life with meticulous historical authenticity and emotional depth. The 2003 film eschews typical action movie bombast for a more meditative approach to naval warfare, where battles are sudden, brutal, and decided by discipline and seamanship. Crowe and Bettany's friendship anchors the film—their debates about duty versus science, war versus enlightenment, provide philosophical weight alongside the spectacular seafaring sequences. Russell Boyd's cinematography captures both the majesty and terror of the open ocean, while the production design recreates life aboard a man-of-war with extraordinary detail. The supporting cast of sailors feels lived-in and authentic, and Iva Davies' score incorporates period-appropriate music including Boccherini and Vaughan Williams. This is historical cinema at its finest—thrilling, thoughtful, and deeply human.

Original format and audio experience of this film faithfully reproduced by The Revival House. Presented in 35mm film unless noted otherwise.

When: Wednesday, March 4th at 7:30PM
Where: The Revival House at the Como Theatre
Rating: M (Medium level violence, Low level coarse language)

Choose the lesser of two weevils—experience Weir's masterful naval epic where every detail of Age of Sail warfare comes alive in 35mm film.

Presented by: The Revival House Perth