However, when Surprise reaches the Galápagos, they recover the survivors of a whaling ship destroyed by Acheron. The ship's surgeon, Stephen Maturin, is interested in the islands' unique flora and fauna, and Aubrey promises his friend several days' exploration time. Shortly afterward, Acheron again ambushes Surprise, but Aubrey slips away in the night by using a decoy raft and ship's lamps.įollowing the privateer south, Surprise rounds Cape Horn and heads to the Galápagos Islands, where Aubrey is convinced that Acheron will prey on Britain's whaling fleet. Midshipman Blakeney has his arm amputated due to injuries sustained in battle. Aubrey responds that Acheron must not be allowed to plunder the British whaling fleet and orders Surprise refitted at sea, rather than a lengthy return to port for repairs. Aubrey's officers tell him that Surprise is no match for Acheron, and that they should abandon the chase. The ship's boats tow Surprise into a fog bank to evade pursuit. Acheron ambushes Surprise off the coast of Brazil, causing heavy damage while remaining undamaged by the British guns.

In June 2021, a prequel film was announced to be in active development.ĭuring the Napoleonic Wars, Captain Jack Aubrey of HMS Surprise is ordered to intercept the French privateer Acheron. It won Best Cinematography and Best Sound Editing, but the rest of the categories were swept by The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

At the 76th Academy Awards, the film was nominated for 10 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. The film was critically well received and garnered Weir the BAFTA Award for Best Direction. It was a moderate success at the box office, grossing $212 million worldwide. The film, which cost $150 million to make, was a co-production of 20th Century Fox, Miramax Films, Universal Pictures, and Samuel Goldwyn Films, and released on November 14, 2003. Filming took place on the open sea, on replica ships in the water tanks of Baja Studios, and on the Galápagos Islands. The film was a personal project of Fox executive Tom Rothman, who recruited Weir to helm the project. The film stars Russell Crowe as Aubrey, captain in the Royal Navy, and Paul Bettany as Dr.

The film's plot and characters are adapted from three novels in author Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey–Maturin series, which includes 20 completed novels of Jack Aubrey's naval career. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a 2003 American epic period war- drama film co-written, produced and directed by Peter Weir, set during the Napoleonic Wars.

Commander thorn and fox