Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World


After an abrupt and violent encounter with a French warship inflicts severe damage upon his ship, a captain of the British Royal Navy begins a chase over two oceans to capture or destroy the enemy, though he must weigh his commitment to duty and ferocious pursuit of glory against the safety of his devoted crew, including the ship's thoughtful surgeon, his best friend.
This flick flew well under my radar for many years but utterly floored me with its fantastic historical accuracy, pacing, and realistic combat. It invites comparisons to Das Boot, but manages to be more entertaining without compromising on realism in the process. It earns its runtime and keeps viewers engaged throughout. What a stunner!