4K Blu-ray Review: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

The Film

Directed by Peter Weir in 2003, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the world is based on the Patrick O'Brian books about maritime captain Jack "Lucky Jack" Aubrey, who battled against enemies of the crown during the Napoleonic wars. Part historic epic, part boys own adventure, it is one of the finest adventure films ever made, one that only gets better as time passes.

Today, it's unfairly treated like a "dad movie" or something aging film fans talk about without any other merit to its name. But I dare anyone to pick up Weir's exquisite adventure and not be riveted within minutes by the meticulous detail, incredible atmosphere, and superlative performances from everyone involved.

Aubrey (Russell Crowe), is the captain of the Acheron, an aging Man of War now hunting French military vessels far, far from home. His best friend, Stephen (Paul Bettany), serves as the ship's doctor and Aubrey's moral compass. Their conflicting views of the world – Aubrey the strict naval man with little vision beyond war, Stephen the naturalist fond of discovery rather than combat – serve as the backbone of the narrative.

When the Acheron is ambushed by a new French ship and left adrift, Aubrey must lead his men to safety and discover a way to face this new form of naval warfare if he's to ever return home.

From there, Master and Commander takes its time before it jumps back into action. Instead, we learn more of the men serving on the ship, witness the natural beauty of the far reaches of our planet, and debate the contradictions of men claiming to not seek glory yet be hounded by that desire in their dreams. All the time, the ghost of the ship that nearly sank them haunts every waking moment. There's an unspoken understanding the world is changing around the Acheron, and nobody is prepared for what's to come.

Weir's brilliant direction is unhurried and richly constructed. Every minute feels lived-in and real. This is a film that looks and sounds like a documentray, despite embracing the romanticism of adventure stories of this genre. O'Brian's books are, despite great historical accuracy, celebrations of discovery. They're real only as far as drama allows them to be.

And yet Weir, who so presciently directed The Truman Show just a few years prior to this, refuses to succumb to colonialist fantasies or ugly stereotyping. Through Stephen, he voices concern over blind conquest and reminds us that the Acheron, despite sailing uncharted waters to them, is never the first to arrive. This world is old beyond measure, and we're only passing through.

It is a miraculous film of epic proportion that feels intimate and humane. A poetic and thrilling adventure tale that will stand the test of time.

Video

Shot on 35mm in some of the most beautiful vistas in the world, Master and Commander looks sublime on 4K. The transfer keeps all of the highlights and deep shadows of the original film presentation, but also includes a fantastic Dolby Vision and HDR10 expansion to the mix.

Highlights are gorgeous throughout, especially in truly difficult scenes where the camera travels across the entire ship, starting from the bowels and climbing high into the masts. Check out, for example, the opening shot of Russell Crowe arriving on deck. We start off with a close-up of his swords, pull out to reveal the bustling crew as they prepare the ship for battle, and lead all the way into a brisk, foggy day on the deck.

The picture quality keeps everything sharp, and the HDR reveals exquisite detail in the inner workings of the ship. By the time we're on deck, you can count the fine detail in the grain of wood or the knotted ropes. When battle kicks off, everything from smoke to debris is crystal clear.

I've seen Master and Commander over a dozen times in the theaters. This is as close to that experience as I can imagine at home. It is perfect.

Audio

For years, the DVD of Master and Commander was a demo disc for impeccable sound presentation. Then, the Blu-ray took its place. Now, the 4K is the best way to experience the immaculate soundscape of Peter Weir's incredible film.

Any scene is demo-worthy, but look no further than the opening sequence where we're introduced to the Acheron. The whistling wind, creaking bow, clucking animals, straining ropes, each fill the speakers with depth and richness. It feels like you're on the ship in person.

To date, there isn't a single film that provides as flawless an aural experience as Master and Commander, and the Dolby Atmos fix finally rises to the occasion to provide the best possible version of this at home.

If you really want to give your system a run for its money, skip right to the final ship battle at the end and be amazed by the cannon fire, sound of sails unfurling, and clanging of swords. It's beautiful chaos, and you can even pick out details that were imperceptable before in any other format beyond a theatrical screening.

This is the best audio presentation of the year to date, and an incredible addition to the film catalog of any fan who cares for high quality Atmos mixes.

Extras

My old DVD copy of Master and Commander is still unbeaten in the extras department, which is downright shameful. None of the legacy material, including expansive documentaries or commentaries, have made it to this long-awaited anniversary disc. Instead, we get a few measely cut scenes – without context or commentary – and some half-baked press kit materials that must not have licensing fees attached to them.

Surely a title like this, with such a pedigree to its name, would deserve better?

Overall

Master and Commander is one of the best films ever made, and its 4K presentation lives up to expectations in the technical department. As an update to the 2008 Blu-ray, it is a grandiose win in every way, except for the extras, which are a downright slap in the face for fans.

While it's unlikely we'll see an updated version or a collectors edition any time soon, one can only hope that one day the studio will remember how much work went into this picture, and how it's important for preservation to celebrate that by documenting it for future generations.