Naval Historian Breaks Down 'Master and Commander' Movie | Deep Dives

[@vars280287]

This film could have easily be over 6 hours long and I still would have loved every minute of it.

[@garyf2636]

Completely agree. A masterpiece of epic proportions.

[@bryanphillips341]

Das Boot!

[@joshwelbaum]

Me too 😁

[@andygossard4293]

It could have become a fantastic HBO 6 hour series

[@DingoNovember]

Yes! I’d love that too!

[@fettfan91]

I'm so glad this movie is getting some appreciation. It was not a box office success but is easily one of the most accurate and well-written period war films of its decade.

[@Blisterdude123]

It merely had the misfortune to come out around the same time as Lord of the Rings lol

[@joejohnson8789]

​@@Blisterdude123LotR was why it didn't do great for awards, in the box office it had to compete with Pirates of the Caribbean, which let's be honest is much more fun

[@etherealtb6021]

It actually did okay, but not enough for the planned sequels!

[@briancolwill3071]

There's a few already on M&C, like History Buffs for instance. I devour ones on this film ravenously

[@stuartmcpherson1921]

I have the DVD which I like to rewatch occassionally

[@AndyBestHP]

Saw this at the cinema not knowing anything about it, literally was walking by the theatre on a day off and went in on a whim, and it was one of the greatest things I have ever seen on a big screen. Towering achievement.

[@starfishsystems]

Those were good times, weren't they?

[@OldSlimJolo]

Dude I was just randomly thinking of this film again today, I've not seen it since the year it came out but it's literally remained with me as such a stand out, unique film in a way I've never seen movies try to really create an atmosphere for.

[@cyqry]

I worked in a cinema a few years ago and our manager asked us what our favourite movie was when we were first hired, got it printed on our name tags. Kind of wish that I was allowed to put on movies for ourselves as I would have loved to see this on the big screen with a properly equipped cinema audio setup.

[@Dominian1]

I agree. I went in with a friend and we literally knew nothing about it other than the poster and who Russel Crowe was from Gladiator. Absolut achievement in cinema.

[@somewheredec]

So sad it didn't do well enough to at least get a sequel from the books as well.

[@PercivalC]

As someone who absolutely and dearly loves this film, I am always so proud and happy to see what a strong community of fellow fans this film has gathered, who share the same passions and reasons for loving this masterpiece of a movie!

[@Dominian1]

It's a great film, but some people just aren't into three hour epics of a single ship's fate during a meaningless mission during the Napoleonic era; well, some people I can do without.

[@1977ajax]

I've worked on a great many feature films, some of which were very good, but the regret of my 50 year career is just missing out on this one! A masterpiece if there ever was one.

[@jonofthehill]

Somehow I feel the lack of a sequel makes this film just that much more special. Leaving you on a cliffhanger like that makes the story really stick with you, keeps it in your mind. One of my favorite films, glad to see that it is incredibly accurate.

[@AnimalStomper]

So true a blessing it wasn't ruined by a rushed sequel

[@TheJohn8765]

If you are a reader that likes naval warfare during the Age of Sail, I strongly suggest the entire "Aubrey and Maturin" series by O'Brian. 20 odd books with these same characters.

[@Dymodeus1]

@@TheJohn8765 I'm a fan of the Hornblower books by Forester

[@Snuffy03]

❤

[@m.h.7364]

I also think a sequel would've been difficult to pull off with a time-line that made sense, because they took stuff from all the books regardless of order. For example, Master and Commander is the first book but you can see Pullings already has the facial scar that he gets in the 8th book.

[@FelixstoweFoamForge]

"One must always choose the lesser of two weevils"......Nothing more need be said, fantastic adaptation of a fantastic series of books.

[@24934637]

So simple yet so funny.

[@tobyw9573]

"He who would make a pun would pick a pocket!"

[@benoitbergeron8858]

I wish english was my first language because I didn't fully get that one

[@kevinroche3334]

​@@benoitbergeron8858It's true, I recently watched a Czech translation of the film and waited eagerly for the joke... Could they do it?... NO! "The Navy always chooses the smaller of two beetles,"?!!!!? I nearly cried! For the writer of the comment, the two beetle larvae are known as weevils; it is a play on words as in " To choose the lesser of two evils". Hope that helps :-)

[@caelestigladii]

To the lesser of two weevils!!

[@swordmonkey6635]

It's a very rare movie where experts can watch it and have very little to quibble about. Master and Commander is a masterpiece of detail and accuracy.

[@cleverusername9369]

Patrick O'Brien would've been proud, I feel

[@blankrobber]

The adversary was American...O'Brien may have understood box office dynamics

[@lilith3953]

I have a few quibbles. a/Russel Crowes fighting style is so ill suited to fighting aboard an 18th century man-of-war that he would never have survived long enough to make captain (or commander or whatever rank he has during this movie). Usually the officers had their sword in their right hand and a pistol in their left hand (which they also used as a club and a shield once they had fired it). B/ The ship surgeon would never be part of the boarding party. He would be busy amputating arms and legs in the sick bay. Having the surgeon take part in the combat is truly Bridgerton level historic inaccuracy. c/ The final ship battle the English crew fire at the French ships masts/sails/rigging, which is the French naval fighting style, and the French crew aim for the English ships hull, which is the English naval fighting style.

[@ConnarKent]

It uses a historical setting with historical accuracy to get a fictional story out

[@gibbonsdp]

@@lilith3953In O'Brian's novels there is very little that is "usual" about the way Jack Aubrey fights. Maturin - the surgeon - was a crack shot and swordsman, so it's entirely plausible that he would have joined such a desperate fight as this. And the film makes much play of the Acheron's superiority in firepower and its reinforced hull, so a surprise disabling blow at the masts was likely the only winning strategy against such overwhelming odds.

[@Mr.Stricken]

My grandfather brought the dvd over for me and him to watch a year after the movie came out. He knew I loved watching the lord of the rings movies and their epic battles. He popped the dvd in the tv and said, “ now this is how it really was back then.” That pretty much kick started my admiration and fixation with history. Love yah Pap!

[@masonics2927]

What an incredible grandfather. He introduced you to a film of pure class. Bless him.

[@Mr.Stricken]

@@masonics2927 one of my fondest memories. I even enjoyed the scenes that didn’t include the battles (which is pretty much 85% of the movie). The dialogue, the music, all the naval jokes. It holds a special place in my heart.

[@masonics2927]

@@Mr.Stricken Interestingly enough, my first time watching this film was yesterday. And my first time coming across it was only a few days prior. I’m shocked this film isn’t spoken about more. It is truly in a category of its own, and it’s difficult to find films of the same quality and feel these days. Hadn’t been that excited during a film in quite some time. You’re spot on with how enjoyable every aspect is.

[@bradschaeffer5736]

One of the most underrated, underappreciated war films ever made!

[@Alex-cw3rz]

One thing Master and Commander does that I have never seen in any other movie, is having sound move slower than light, as shown the French frigate is seen in the distance and you see the flashes of the cannon and then after a delay you hear the sound. It's also the only movie I've seen that has actors of the right age, how crowded the decks were and the diversity (as the navy at the time was actually very diverse), it's the only time I've heard mention the standard practice of loading more than one cannon ball in the gun at a time, having the cannons fly backwards when fired and using the correct terminology throughout the movie.

[@Jaxck77]

They also show the practice of bouncing cannonballs off waves to get greater distance. The French are doing that right at the start

[@boj666]

Wdym diversity? The whole crew bar one are white males

[@Alex-cw3rz]

@@SeminarioMAE as in you had sailors from all over the world.

[@BertPreast]

@@SeminarioMAE Aren't all matelots lgbt characters?

[@24934637]

@@SeminarioMAE Haha, well and truly in the closet!

[@d33b33]

Master and Commander is still used to check the setup of surround sound systems. Filmed on real wooden ships, the rolling creaks that surround the viewer will quickly reveal a poorly placed speaker, or one that is out of phase, or improperly amplified.

[@EvilMAiq]

Very cool.

[@etherealtb6021]

How interesting!

[@BrendenParker-o5v]

You learn something new every day.

[@The_ZeroLine]

I am the world’s #2 surround sound expert and I’ve never heard this.

[@SStoj]

@@The_ZeroLine I'm the world's #1 expert. This is why you'll always be #2 pal.

[@mikeyloveshousemusic]

Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World. One of the best films ever made, when the little blond midshipman says "Follow Me" and leads the men into battle. Epic. Simply Epic. I love that little dude.

[@birchlover3377]

My favorite part is where the boy realizes one sailor doesn't know his left from right and rephrases it as "your starboard hand". A born leader ❤

[@mikeyloveshousemusic]

@birchlover3377 is that the same scene where he is trying to sow up the bag holding his friends body, and then he turns to the older sailor and says he needs help because he's only got one arm. Such a good movie.

[@birchlover3377]

​@@mikeyloveshousemusicno, but that was another powerful scene! If I remember correctly the dialogue I mentioned was at the beginning of the battle scene where his friend is killed.

[@ray.shoesmith]

Lord Blakeney. The actor who played him was 13 at the time. My favourite scene was when Capt Aubrey gave him his personalised copy of Admiral Nelson's book, pointing out that the beloved admiral had also lost an arm in battle. In the scene you mention, after they blast a hole into the Acherons gundeck, he says "We must board them! Arm yourselves! Follow me!" and then jumps through the hole. One of the best characters (although Killick holds a special place "which it will be ready when it's ready")

[@kylew7930]

Favorite scene for me as well! “ WE MUST BOARD THEM!” Goosebumps every time

[@slipperynoodle20]

Absolutely the finest depiction of naval combat in the Napoleonic era. The 20 book series written by Patrick O'Brian is a treasure. I've read it twice and will probably read it again. You did a commendable job of fleshing out the details of the film.

[@Cherokeelion]

Im a naval nerd too and Ive read them all as well!

[@tsims7638]

Even as a high schooler watching this movie, no experience with ships, I could feel the authenticity from start to end. Criminally underrated movie!

[@juliemcneely7727]

First of all, it's gratifying to see a high schooler in this day and age so interested in history. I'm 62 and developed my love for history in high school. While not something I pursued as a career, it has been my avocation ever since. 2nd, yay you for being interested in watching a movie like this at your age...in this day and age. This is one of my favorite movies. The cast was excellent as were the special effects. Another great historical movie you might be interested in is "Glory". It's about the first black regiment formed by the Union Army during the Civil War. Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman & Denzel. Keep on with the history. It will amaze you what the human race was up to to get us to this point. Good luck!

[@imperialbricks4217]

@@juliemcneely7727same I’m a young history buff and absolutely fell in love with this movie the first time my dad watched it with me, such an incredible depiction of napoleonic naval warfare.

[@juliemcneely7727]

@@imperialbricks4217 That's great! History is kind of like a warm blanket that envelopes you whenever you're reading or watching it. Especially if it's really well made, like this movie was!

[@HartmutJagerArt]

- Hmm, well, "a warm blanket'"is hardly an accurate description of all the bloodshed and horrors in all of histories insane wars !

[@daleferrier3050]

Practically every frame in this film is like a painting. Not only is it fantastically true to the history, it’s also a masterclass in cinematography.

[@ladyzapzap9514]

It beat out Return of the King for Best Cinematography.

[@pilsplease7561]

@@ladyzapzap9514 Damn right, I remember seeing it in theatres as a kid, such a good movie. Its like the gold standard of historical movies as far as getting it accurate and right.

[@caelestigladii]

I swear i remember this is the same exact words from cinema buffs. 😂

[@sarahhhh775]

Two scenes stand out as paintings, the sick bay tableau in the first battle and a rosy cheeked Callamy at the table in the talk of Nelson as a portrait. My favourite film.. So many things to admire.

[@MarisaPaola-um5yb]

Russell Boyd, cinematographer, director Peter Weir, great team.🐨

[@douglasiles2024]

Whenever I'm watching this movie and my wife happens to walk by, she'll say "Oh, again? What a surprise.", with emphasis on the word surprise, because she even knows the name of the ship because of me watching it so many times.

[@colinthomas5462]

😂😂 99% of wives don't appreciate the quality of this movie 😂

[@dougearnest7590]

She's what we lubbers call a "keeper".

[@georgeofhamilton]

“Surprise is on our side.”

[@thegriffin88]

Jack would be very proud of that pun. XD

[@xlDysenterylx]

I do the same thing with this movie. My favorite film of all time is The Patriot, though. I have no idea how many times I've watched that movie but it's easily in the hundreds.

[@IntrospectorGeneral]

Peter Weir, who directed and co-wrote the script for Master and Commander was renowned for his thorough planning and control of his movies, including finding talented collaborators. The visual tone is substantially due to cinematographer Russell Boyd who frequently worked with Weir over a 30 year period and won an Academy Award for this film. Sound Designer Richard King and Weir searched the Richard O'Brian novels for sound descriptions to include, found collectors with authentic cannons and recorded firing, cannonballs in flight, and striking wooden targets, and used classic sound eefects techniques to create a range of rigging sounds. The soundscape of the movie was assembled like a musical composition. King also won an Academy Award for sound editing for this movie.

[@nevar108]

FYI, Richard O'Brian wrote under the name of Patrick O'Brian. Just hoping it adds clarity incase someone wants to get into this fantastic series of books following Aubrey and Maturin.

[@IntrospectorGeneral]

@@nevar108 Thanks. I was having a senior moment after recently rewatching Rocky Horror Picture Show (Richard O'Brien).

[@nevar108]

@@IntrospectorGeneral You were correct calling him Richard O'Brian. He was born Richard Patrick O'Brian, he writes under his middle name first.

[@ornfeavalinor3214]

@@nevar108 For what it's worth, he was actually born Richard Patrick Russ; O'Brian was the name he chose to use in later life.

[@shirleymental4189]

Also the casting director wanted 'non modern' Looking face's for the background actors.

[@litmeister]

Master & Commander is an abdolute gem. One of the most under appreciated movies ever

[@LucJenson]

My father served in the Royal Navy abord the HMS Chieftain during the Suez. We had the good fortune to have a home theatre and man... this film was our favourite. This was on screen just as often as Star Wars was. The surround sound experience for this film cannot be expressed in a way that would rival experiencing it. Just phenomenal. It's good to see this film get the respect it deserves. This is one of the many reasons I pursued history as a profession. It still stands as the movie I reckon may be the most historically accurate large-format film to exist to this day. Thanks for putting this video together!

[@BwInNewJersey]

As a former American Sailor I have always been amazed at how much of this movie resonates with my experience in the modern Navy. The bells, routine, morale, hierarchy, jargon, leadership, tradition its all there.

[@mandoperthstacker]

As Ex-RAN myself this hit very close to home for me aswell. Takes me back to sea.

[@B-A-L]

You do know that in the original novel American sailors were the enemy?

[@Snuffy03]

Yes. That was a time when both British and French navies thought they could prey on American shipping with impunity. They were wrong.​@@B-A-L

[@BwInNewJersey]

@@B-A-L How is that relevant? Where do you think we inherited our Naval customs? Now we have the fiercest Navy in history. Thank you Britain.

[@zenhydra]

Most world militaries are absolutely lousy with traditions. I guess we can credit it to how long our species has been killing each other in a systematic manner.

[@maryb3909]

One of my favorite movies of all time.

[@KernowGB]

Mine two wish they made more

[@giselematthews7949]

Same here

[@tedbosquez19]

Same here … alongside Waterloo and Gettysburg … the movie introduced me to the books so I will forever be indebted to the creative team behind this film …

[@matthewweng8483]

Yep, it sucks that Peter Weir quit directing before he made any sequels. One of the best directors ever.

[@t_k_blitz4837]

It’s one of the most perfect movies ever made.

[@silmarian]

The doctor telling the midshipman he’d never seen a braver patient gets me every time

[@cronocide]

For me it's when Aubrey gives that midshipman the book.

[@silmarian]

@@cronocide Yeah. He’s so uncomfortable but trying so hard.

[@boardgames9950]

Goddamn. Tearing up just thinking about it. Saw this in the theater and wear it as a badge of honor. I am still angry decades later that sequels were not made.

[@CaptainCraigKWMRZ]

I've been a Merchant Marine and Underwater Archeologist since 1987. I love this movie and feel that it portrays life in that era onboard fairly accurately. Well done.

[@HartmutJagerArt]

- ...fairly? It could not be more brutally realistic !

[@nerva-]

I always liked the irony of how suddenly the wind picks up at the end of Hollom's funeral - clearly implying some sort of debt had been paid, but it also raised the question of whether it was Hollom removing his bad luck from the ship or the crew regretting their persecution of him that ended the curse. I always liked the way Hollom's "indecision" and "cowardice" were subtly depicted by the movie as actually being objectively rational responses to his situations - for half a second while panning his telescope at the horizon he sees the shadow of a ship, not long enough to have any confidence in what he thought he might have seen, so he's indecisive, and then he's ordered to rescue men stranded far out on a spar in a dangerous storm, but the men couldn't be saved, if he tried to crawl out to them he'd have snapped the spar earlier than it did and would have simply ended up dying with the men he was supposed to save. If he'd been "reckless" rather than "rational" he would have beat-to-quarters 30 seconds earlier, and would have died with the others at sea - but he had to live after his decisions while the other men died.

[@Andrew-mp9hu]

Ooh I know this is going to be a banger of a video! Such an awesome movie. Hard to believe it’s 21 years old. Holds up better than 99% of historical period movies today.

[@birchlover3377]

​@lilrawri8446😂

[@combatwombat2134]

Holds up better than 99% of movies today. Not just period movies. A testament to film.

[@Andrew-mp9hu]

@@combatwombat2134 I definitely agree!

[@The_Reality_Filter]

@lilrawri8446 Trans black woman

[@lilith3953]

@lilrawri8446 Well there was a black woman dressed up as a man uncovered in the British navy during that time, but she was a noncommissioned officer, not a Captain. There was also at least one black captain in Britan's navy in the 18th Century.

[@alancaraway6023]

I’m currently re-reading the entire series, so this is a welcome “Surprise”! I still think my favorite lines (from the books) are “Jack you have debauched my sloth!”

[@PatrickDunning]

One of the greatest lines in literature.

[@megan14.85]

Said the bear... is always one that sticks with me. Such a good reveal. 😂

[@alexweeks3359]

I’ve never read them. Any good?

[@JustWandering]

"Stephen, your sloth, he is eating my hat." "So he is, too."

[@fonkyman]

​@@alexweeks3359difficult to read for most readers id say but gets easier as you go... Well worth the effort though simply the best age of sail saga ever put to paper :)

[@swampyankee]

I had the pleasure of crewing aboard this vessel when she was named the (HMS) Rose the summer of 1979. At that time the Rose had no engines and we sailed on and off anchor as well as sailing her to the dock in New Bedford, MA. We had a crew of about 20. Of course Captain Richard Bailey being in command was key.

[@etherealtb6021]

I visited The Rose in San Diego! As a history major who loved this era, it was a real treat!

[@dougearnest7590]

How fortunate - I'm so jealous. (I'm also afraid of heights.)

[@swampyankee]

​@@dougearnest7590 plenty of work to do on deck. We also didn't have safety harnesses when we were aloft, truly one hand for yourself and one for the ship.

[@sirboomsalot4902]

I was onboard her just last month. Sadly she’s looking a little rough but the museum does what they can.

[@swampyankee]

@@sirboomsalot4902 she's 50 years old. Honestly I'm surprised she's lasted this long.

[@stevejette2329]

Sailed a 150' barkentine around the Pacific in 1973. Hawaii, Tahiti, Mexico. This is my most-respected movie ever for the detail, camera work, personnel ... Having a camera on a rolling ship, especially in weather ... or GOING AROUND THE HORN ??? Impossible. So even the parts that were computer-generated were great showing us what no almost camera ever could.

[@kdw75]

I wasn't really interested in that movie from what I saw in previews, but ended up watching it one day and absolutely loved it. The cast, acting and atmosphere just pulled me in.

[@themr_wilson]

Same here. It was around the Pirates movies and was overshadowed by LotR at the Academy Awards. It was years before I saw it and have been singing praises ever since

[@Arete37]

Russell Crowe has never made a bad movie.

[@livethefuture2492]

Very glad to see you return to do a full review of this gem of a movie! Its one of my absolute favourites, and absolutely deserves a dedicated deep dive in itself! I very much like the sound of 'deep dives'. I would love to see more in depth reviews and breakdowns on individual movies, especially on some of the Great classics like Master and Commander is rightfully so.

[@anon17472]

That maybe 15 year old midshipman calling "steady" to his gun crew while splinters and shrapnel explode around them always gets me. They were hard men

[@Alex-cw3rz]

The sound design of this movie is absolutely amazing it's such a shame I never saw it in cinemas that would be one amazing experience

[@jons8607]

I would have to say, i was lucky enough to see it in the theater and that was quite an experience. I hope you get to see it at someones home theater or a re-screening somewhere.

[@PUBHEAD1]

Yep, I always crank this on my home theater subs

[@snotgobblerific]

Went to sea it 3 times in the cinema it was pretty good

[@doglover31418]

I saw it in the cinema and it was so good I went back the same week to see it again. The only film I've ever done that for.

[@hillaryw9288]

It was amazing. I got a little seasick during the storm scene.

[@multiple_oranges]

Dan's enthusiasm for the movies he reviews is so infectious! I love watching them. This is such a tremendous film.

[@blackletter2591]

The meeting between Jack and the miserable Hollum highlighted the great casting. Jack is exhorting Hollum to display what should be his native authority, and Hollum looking at Jack, knows he will never measure up, never have that same inner authority. The two actors play this beautifully.

[@bennyc409]

Probably my favourite film of all time. As well as one of my favourite series of books. And the film does a remarkable job of staying true to the novels, whilst also making itself into its own entity. Just brilliant.

[@clayp6415]

Not sure if Dan Snow sees or is made aware of any of the comments, but thank you for your expert knowledge and pure passion for history. You make it incredibly interesting to watch these videos and i'm sure there are many who feel the same. Cheers

[@RichardBirdsall]

The audio book series narrated by Patrick Tull is as close to perfection as I'll ever experience in this world. Do yourself the biggest favor and give book one a shot, it'll start you on a journey around the world with characters deeper than any you've read before, and prepare to laugh and catch your breath while you can! When I first bought the books on actual cassette tape, I thought a historical naval fiction story sounded like the worst thing I could think of. But it was long, I was poor, and I needed something to help me through an all nighter. By the end of the first cassette, I was racing to the radio to flip it over and keep the story going without pause. I've listened to hundreds of books and narrators, but this shines above all of them. It changed my life, no hyperbole, and my son has the series to thank for this many names haha!

[@pdmacguire]

Thank you for saying that. He was a wonderfully talented man who loved his pranks. One of his best jokes was getting Werner Klemperer to grab my ass in the men's toilet one day we were boozing in the bar at Player's Club. I got him back...

[@RichardBirdsall]

That's brilliant you not only were acquainted with such a brilliant man, but have a story I would tell at every family get together! That anecdote feels like there's much more to tell about it haha!

[@Urizen777]

This film is a masterpiece. One of the rare few films I can watch again and again, without ever being bored. No other naval movie managed to immerse you as a viewer so much that you begin to feel as a part of the crew. And the fact that they didn't shy away from using proper ship terms of the time, instead of opting to modernize them for the "stupid" audience adds a lot to that immersive experience.

[@joyfulzero853]

Being a devoted reader of Patrick O'Brian's books, I'm so pleased they made such a real effort for authenticity in the film. The outstanding thing for me was putting across just how crowded these ships of war were. There was essentially, no privacy for anyone, below the captain!

[@modestlyneutral]

I’ve never seen it, but you’ve convinced me that I need to seek Master and Commander out. As another poster highlighted, Dan’s genuine passion for both this historical period and movie shines through. This deep dive contains so many interesting historical facts. Thank you, Dan. You’re very talented.

[@kakashitrapnell]

I envy you, getting to watch it for the first time =). It is such a great film. If you enjoy the film there is a whole series of books the film is based on you will probably like if you like the film.

[@DCo-g6q]

It is an outstanding movie!!! Highly recommended!! Not only all the battles but the relationships, is one of the best friendship movies I’ve seen and all families with boys should see it as well! You are in for such a treat, I envy you!

[@thisguyaintfunny1881]

Been waiting for this! Such an underrated movie, shadowed by other big movie releases. Thank you so much Dan and History Hit crew ;)

[@surfeit5910]

This movie gives me chills and tears all at once. It's one of the all-time best out there!

[@KareemHarper]

Dan Snow is awesome! I can listen to him talk about history all day. The passion shines through.

[@koori3085]

This movie is exceptional, from its accuracy to the portrayal of the characters! Great review!

[@lawrencewestby9229]

O'Brian's books are so very rich in descriptive detail and period language. Thankfully, Weir and Collee were willing to include much of that detail in their screenplay. It also helped that the production was able to obtain an accurate replica frigate, HMS Rose, to play the part of HMS Surprise.

[@charlestaylor8566]

Try Dewey Lambden’s books , I found them much better than O Brian’s 😊

[@cleverusername9369]

34:52 I've always loved this little callback to the first battle scene, Captain Aubrey notices and heaves the midshipman to his feet once again.

[@CaveWyatt]

I got to tour the Surprise, maybe 15 years ago, while visiting my cousin in San Diego. I had already been a big fan of the books and then the movie and it was a real thrill. The biggest “surprise” for me was how small the ship seemed. It would have taken brass intestines to sail in that boat across the Atlantic. Another part of the excursion was touring a Russian submarine, but that’s for a different episode of History Hits.

[@mikeyloveshousemusic]

I love in San Diego. Are you telling me that H.M.S. Suprise us here in San Diego and I can go there to tour the vessel?? I don't believe yoh.

[@BebopBeachBum]

​@@mikeyloveshousemusic it's at the maritime museum downtown next to the Star of India.

[@Arete37]

When I was a child I saw a replica of Columbus' ship Santa Maria in Spain. I still remember how small it was, like a fishing boat.

[@adamb8317]

To be fair Brigs are very small even compared to frigates of the time and really were mostly meant to take the enemy’s shipping and not necessarily their warships. Crazy enough Lord Cochran took the 32 gun Spanish frigate El Gamo with his 14 gun Brig HMS Speedy. The book is essentially a fictionalized retelling of that action, but the movie pulls from multiple books in the series hence the differences.

[@Mark_The_Chemist]

There was also examples of the crew showing respect to a midshipman. My favorite is during the preparations for the final battle, Blakney is telling the crew to tie a black strip of cloth to their right upper arm so they can tell friend from foe. He is pointing it out to one crewman in particular "this arm your starboard arm." The crewman jokes with him, "is that the arm you got or the arm you don't got?" Blakney just says, "oy, that's a bad cheek Davies." I thought it was striking how Hollum was disliked so much, but the crew respected and were comfortable enough with Blakney to cut up with him.

[@ToastAndJellyfish]

That was such a great scene. Blakeney was perfect at what Aubrey told Hollum to do, and Hollum was never able to pull off (first because it wasn’t in his nature and then because, well): don’t make friends with the foremast jacks, but don’t be a tyrant. He maintained his authority with the reprimand but didn't punish when it wasn’t warranted. It makes Blakeney asking Davies for help sewing Calamy up later hit that much harder.

[@topazadam]

Absolutley sublime, keep em coming!

[@garyobrian3597]

Dan is so at home with this movie you can see the passion as he describes the scenes

[@ravenfeader]

I love authentic movies like this , details are superbly done and the writing is brilliant and the acting is top notch .

[@fign66]

One of my favorite movies and book series of all time. Such an interesting time period.

[@joribremer5260]

This need some sort of sequel :) pretty accurate , and the chemistry between Crowe and Bettany is fantastic, playing of eachother brilliantly :)

[@themr_wilson]

Didn't they?! They had worked together before in "A Beautiful Mind" a couple years earlier, but these characters had an extremely close and intimate relationship. Real companions

[@iamvoxo9550]

One of my favorite movies of all time. Thank you for reassuring me on the implied accuracy as well.

[@FreeFallingAir]

It will forever be one of my favorites. Felt like I stepped aboard watching in theaters, I pretty much had the theater to myself, it was magical

[@TheGooseyGooseMan]

The minute History Hit began the Deep Dive reviews of films, I knew Master and Commander would be on the list. Couldn't be happier. One of the best examples that proves historical accuracy can elevate a film to greatness. Also a great film of wholesome male bonding and comradeship that is badly needed these days with all the toxicity on KZbin. Please let me know that Das Boot is on the list of upcoming episodes, even if just for the pun.

[@birchlover3377]

I literally pick up a new historical detail every time I watch it, absolutely love it

[@Zajuts149]

It is ironic that the movie has become a model of depicting male bonding, with no female lead characters, though the book it is based on has more female characters at sea than any of the other books😊.

[@GeorgeMorgan-w9y]

​@Zajuts149 watch Disney if you want woke!

[@Zajuts149]

@user-hq8bh1rw1y you do realise that the source material has women aboard? It is a major plot point. Captain Aubrey hates having women aboard ship since it causes tension, and in most books, there are no women aboard ship. They chose to make a movie of the book with most women aboard, and even a chapter with a Polynesian craft crewed by only women. Get back when you pass basic reading comprehension.

[@GeorgeMorgan-w9y]

@Zajuts149 having females in the film would have added nothing to the film,and as for the film being a "model depicting male bonding"that smacks more of a modern cry for feminism that it does for depicting a historical take on naval warfare,as I said if you want woke,stick with Disney.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

12:43 they based a lot of the way the storm interacted with the ship off of a film called Around Cape Horn filmed by Irving Johnson in 1929, who sailed on a tall ship transporting cargo. The film is on youtube and it is a fascinating watch

[@yannickawan3394]

Thank you, I have been looking for this, I remember having seen footage of what looks like a P-liner sailing around Cap Horn with someone going overboard and left behind, been looking for it since, I wonder if it is this!

[@schiz0phren1c]

Also delighted that they showed Maturin to be a deadly swordsman/fighter, as his character in the books had been "out"(IE in a duel) scores of times at college(Trinity College, Dublin),where being in literally scores and up to HUNDREDS of duels was the norm at this time period...crazy bitta business!.

[@pjmorgan]

Master and Commander is a staggeringly effective portrayal of naval warfare in the Napoleonic era. I remember seeing it late at night in the cinema and being a bit tired - five minutes in and I was bolt upright in my seat, glued to every piece of action on screen!

[@Dr._Nope]

One of my favorite movies all time, hands down! Absolutely brilliant film!

[@timsimms65707]

I read the Aubrey/Maturin series and loved it, then I saw the movie and was not disappointed. Master and Commander is a masterpiece and will stand the test of time.

[@MartinDurden]

Dan you are probably one of my favourite history pundits, keep up the good work my man

[@Zeedox]

I love that Dan, the historian, acknowledges what a FEAT of moviemaking it is to depict these scenes. Too many experts forget that it's crews of real people that try to make the movies to the best of their efforts, and of course have to consider the safety of the actors first. Great breakdown, and I love that we're focusing on what it did WELL, first and foremost.

[@everettmadsen4265]

This criminally underrated masterpiece is my second favorite movie of all time (after the one on my shirt in the picture). It's just about as close to perfect as a film gets.

[@josephgreeley5569]

I'm also a naval historian, and I'm glad to see this movie getting some love. While it's not a great adaptation of the books per se, I found it a fairly accurate representation of life in the Royal Navy at the time. My biggest complaint really is that the name 'Master and Commander' makes no sense. As you are aware, a 'Master and Commander' is a senior lieutenant given command of his own ship-almost always one that's too small to be rated. In the movie, Jack Aubrey is a Post Captain, hence no longer a Master and Commander. I'm also a little unsure that a 28 gun frigate like HMS Surprise could take on the USS Constitution and win, even if she's flying French colours and has a French crew. For those who don't know, the Acheron is based on the Constitution, even to the extent of 'being built in Boston'. When the sailors came in with the model to show Aubrey, I recognized those lines immediately. I grew up in Brookline MA as a child and I spent many MANY happy hours aboard Old Ironsides. The sailors acting as guides must have groaned when they saw me coming because I knew more about the ship that most of them. One of my very favorite details in this movie is the bows on shot of the Surprise as she's rounding Cape Horn. If you look carefully there's a sailor with his slops (trousers) around his ankles using the 'seat of ease' in the beakhead. I almost fell out of my seat laughing when I saw that.

[@gwtpictgwtpict4214]

Such captures of larger ships by considerably smaller ones did happen, the Spanish 32 gun frigate El Gamo being taken by the brig HMS Speedy, 14 guns, on the 6th of May, 1801. HMS Speedy being captained by Lord Cochrane who used a similar ruse to that seen in the film, raising an American flag when challenged by El Gamo. This allowed HMS Speedy to get in close, effectively under the guns of the El Gamo before raising British colours and opening fire. So, unusual, but it did happen.

[@adamb8317]

@@gwtpictgwtpict4214in fact the book Master and Commander has a sequence where they disguise the ship, even repainting it in order to get in close to the Spanish frigate which they damage and capture. It was what inspired this part of the movie, and was in fact based on the historical event you mention so it is not far fetched based on the daring and audacity of this ships crew.

[@95HH]

It's called Master and Commander because this was intended to be a series, and so was named for the first book in the series. In Master and Commander (the book), Aubrey is indeed a senior lieutenant given command of a sloop. The film is based (weirdly) on the *tenth* book in the series, The Far Side of the World (hence the movie's subtitle), by which time Aubrey is a Post Captain. Probably because it's a simpler, but more exciting plot that also doesn't need much of the context from the prior novels. So yeah, something of an artefact title given the series never continued, though I guess it would always have been a bit odd as Aubrey becomes Post Captain at the end of the first book - so the title really does only ever apply to its namesake book. In TFSOTW, the ship Suprise is contending with is the USS Norfolk, supposedly based on the USS Essex which is a smaller frigate than USS Constitution. The film swapped the books American antagonists for French to appeal to the US audience, keeping the ship as being American built as a nod to the book. Presumably the Acheron is based on the Constitution because there was more reference to build the scale model and set off. While Acheron may look like Constitution, I think some suspension of disbelief is required and you're supposed to assume it's a lesser armed ship.

[@95HH]

@@gwtpictgwtpict4214 In the books, Aubrey is heavily based on Lord Cochrane. The event you mention is depicted almost verbatim in the first book. The HMS Sophie that Aubrey is commissioned "Master and Commander" of is a fictionalised version of HMS Speedy.

[@tobyw9573]

Author Patrick O'Brian was a masterful and well researched writer, I cannot rec his 20-book series enough! Tragic that the movies could not have been extended.

[@Marti14141]

@@highcountrydelatite20.5. 21 is hard to read because it just stops abruptly sucks he couldent finish.

[@FutureMythology]

The in-depth examination of naval history and its portrayal in cinema is both insightful and engaging. Kudos to the team for delivering such a fascinating and educational experience!

[@grantbartlett8261]

I love how passionate Dan Snow is in the narration of this period of history, this is truely excellent content.

[@pbrig4298]

Tremendous film; one of my very favorite. Very faithful, I think, to the essence and spirit of the Patrick O'Brian series. Such a shame there wasn't a sequel! Excellent and interesting review here; thank you.

[@cw7422]

Great video. I was an officer in the US Navy. Saw some very heavy seas in the NW Pacific. Also the first ship I was on was the USS Oklahoma City. She had teak decks that were holy stoned every morning.

[@jonathanramos8414]

Navy beds ugh

[@jess1234-b3t]

I remember 20 years ago seeing the battle scene played in a dark room behind one of the actual sails from HMS Victory used during the battle of Trafalgar, cannon ball holes and all, at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Do they still have that? It was an amazing installation.

[@wheatnblue2419]

Thanks for the appreciation for this film. I do wish there had been a sequel.

[@adam1ooo]

Love watching historians and people with knowledge on a subject talk with wish passion and enthusiasm it makes these watches so much more fun to watch, could watch Dan Snow all day!

[@DJMarcO138]

I watch this movie every chance I get. It's up there with Band of Brothers, Die Hard, A New Hope, and Raiders of the Lost Ark. No matter what part of the movie is on when I catch it, I'll just finish watching. So good!

[@PaulSchofield-p6b]

Great post Dan and an excellent movie. Growing up in Ireland in the 70s in Kilkenny surrounded by history and in troubled times, I am glad to still be around to view your History Hit videos, to re-visit so much of what I learned at school just through books and limited pictures at the time. What it would have been like to have the KZbin content available today, back then for my education. The hope that young people today learn from history, understand how life was and has improved. People today don't know what it was like to be cold all the time on these sailing ships, salt water burned into their skin, the clothes on their backs made from cotton, wool, flax or leather, rotting off their backs and leaving their homes in the UK for a couple of years in some cases. Different times, tough times, in some ways better times and exciting times. Too many people today are wrapped up in cotton wool !

[@HartmutJagerArt]

Different time, different problems, just as we have (no cotton wool) problems today !

[@Alex-cw3rz]

Such an amazing masterpiece of a movie and so underrated!

[@Ulfhednir9]

Another fact about the midshipman is that the officers were not to socialize (ie sing) with the crew as they needed to be seen as above the common crew.

[@AverageAlien]

yes even to this day officers are taught to speak a certain way

[@doogleticker5183]

Officers were not taught to be “above” the crew. They were taught over many years to be able to lead (know everybody’s job), navigate, tactically “fight the ship”, fight one on one, plus over time - develop combat strategy, and obviously, show discipline, fairness, and courage. They were taught to earn respect and show respect. Not all young officers made it to earning the respect of the crew, and were not leaders. They were put ashore and often, discharged. “Midshipmen” is the rank they held until they were commissioned by the King or Queen. They berthed apart, but many had rather humble origins in society. Becoming an officer brought them up in social standing, so yes, they were taught how to speak politely, to dine properly, and to serve others. They were often the de facto ambassadors of the “Crown” while abroad. This film is wonderful in that it brings all of these elements to life. I loved my career in the Navy, under HRH Queen Elizabeth II. I finished as a senior officer and held command of a ship prior to retirement, I write this so you know I am not writing fiction.

[@Ulfhednir9]

@doogleticker5183 things have changed alot since the olden days. Most captains demanded and expected respect which is not to say that many didn't deserve it, as you say they were masters of men and to help with that image at the time they had to appear to be above the common crew man and their fore no fraternizing with them, hence the separate officers mess hall. FYI I've worked on merchant navy (not as grand as your station and respect to you but I'm not making it up either).

[@doogleticker5183]

@@Ulfhednir9-The merchant navy is not the military, and that's fine. I respect all who deserve it, and the merchant marine certainly does! My point is that naval officers and petty officers know the difference between being "above" and having a "leadership" role, from the ranks of leading seaman to the Admirals. The backbone of any ship's crew is those senior chief petty officers and petty officers. That was drilled into our heads as middies. And reinforced with experience. Officers need excellent NCOs to get on with their own work. The men also learn that fraternization is not about officers being above them. All it takes is one deployment to get that idea out of their noggins. That's not to say ALL officers learn their place - this causes evident problems, but as I mentioned, they tend not to get very far in their careers. The RN has strong traditions that have lasted centuries, including developing leaders. Nobility was never a guarantee of progression, so "above" (socially?) is not how it worked or works. There were three messes, and the Commanding Officer was a guest in the officer's mess. Naval personnel are segregated but not inherently superior to other men (no blue blood). Senior officers got to that rank primarily due to hard work, talent, and leadership skills. And you cannot lead without earning respect and demanding it in the rare cases that it is not given, usually by one person. That is true for the NCOs as well. Executive Officers (1st mate) are responsible for all the personnel and their comportment. They are aided by the ship's Senior Chief Petty Officer (the Cox'n). It's a system that has worked in the past and present. Now, you may disagree. You can cite the organization of armies; their organizational culture is different, and I'm no expert. But I'll hold fast that the RN, at least, has not radically changed. I may be wrong: who knows what woke cancel culture has done to institutions. From what I know, the men and women of the Navy are as fine as they ever have been. Fair winds and following seas.

[@Ulfhednir9]

@doogleticker5183 Of course, I don't refer to the modern RN as I have little experience in that regard outside the RNZ merchant navy and sea scouts. What I refer to is napoleonic navys which has changed in many respects. I believe they reviewed and changed the no socialize with the rank and file after the bounty mutiny but I'm not 100% sure if that is when it happened. The fact officers have their own separate mess halls and finer meals is reminiscent of the segregation. Ofcourse many of the other proud traditions remain untouched by time and even back then Britannia ruled the waves for good reason so I'd never doubt nor insult the officers nor crew of that time whom evidently were more than exemplary in their duties. It is no insult to say back then their was a few minor cultural differences such as this as well as a few others ie the use of young boys on a warship, keel hauling and striking with the 9 tails. May the wind always be on your back :)

[@user-kf9mx5yz1f]

Lovely summary - one thing that you could have mentioned around Hollom is that the crew saw him as a 'Jonah' - someone who brought misfortune onto the vessel. Sailors were (and still are) a very superstitious bunch and having someone who is perceived as being unlucky can cause the crew to turn against them.

[@aliendrone]

I was so lucky to watch this film in the theatre when it was released ! Marvelous experience!

[@juliamartinshistory]

Brilliant how he navigates through the details of 'Master and Commander'-just like a ship through treacherous waters! Really brings the film to life.

[@garyphisher7375]

Dan's 4 part series "Empire of the Seas", is a superb documentary about the Royal Navy - I cannot recommend it highly enough.

[@idaho_girl]

Dan Snow, a sailor here. When Capt. Sparrow tells his crew to handle the sails in a lubberly way, he is telling them to be sloppy in their work to appear more like a whaling crew instead of a well-trained navy crew. This was one more level to their deception they were trying to pull. And I agree totally that I too so wanted a sequel!! 🙂 Thanks for a great video!

[@baron7755]

There is no Captain Sparrow in this movie.

[@debbylou5729]

No captain Sparrow and what, exactly, would a sequel contain?

[@tobys_transport_videos]

*SCRUB THE DECKS!!!* "Captain Sparrow" was a pirate! The dutiful Captain here is Captain Jack Aubrey. Show some respect or he might have you flogged!

[@garygalt4146]

@@debbylou5729there a 20 book series to choose from. And the follow on book is just as exciting

[@lrmunro]

@@debbylou5729it’s a massive great book series. Plenty of material for any number of sequels.

[@JJBeauregard1]

It's so awesome listening to someone talk about a topic they're genuinely passionate about.

[@petermaerkel9140]

Great commentary, Dan. I'd love to hear your comments about the Hornblower ITV series from 1998 to 2003. How accurate was that series?

[@jackieluckyangel5610]

HMS Surprise is at the San Diego Maritime Museum (along with the Star of India). Beautiful, fascinating ships.

[@AlfredLemieux-te7oc]

I absolutely love this movie. One of my all time favorites. I really wish they had made a sequel. It would have been epic.

[@HartmutJagerArt]

I doubt that because sequels are usually of a much lesser quality than the original first movie !

[@walterwadlow9438]

Thanks!

[@msaligned]

Thank you so much for this! I enjoy all of your videos, but this just became my favorite. When I saw this movie in the theater, I was struck by how realistic it was. Not a naval historian myself, I could only speculate on the realism, but it sold itself well. Those cannonballs smashing through the wood almost hurt to watch. That large tourniquet tightening on that tiny arm...everything was so well done. I'm very pleased to learn that it was as excellent as I had expected.

[@marymiller6637]

Outstanding movie! Very well done! One of my favorite films. I actually got to climb aboard the HMS Surprise (it's really named the Rose) when she was moored in San Diego. A real treat.

[@chit2840]

I did as well wen I was out for my sons graduation from bootcamp in 06. Such a neat treat!

[@richardfox4803]

Should have mentioned that it's based on Patrick O'Brien's 'Master and Commander' series of novels. We haven't had a film sequel, but there are 20 rip roaring novels to binge on. And if you think they are boy's own fantasies: read one of the biographies of Thomas Cochrane.

[@doglover31418]

Thomas Cochrane.

[@richardfox4803]

And I double checked it on Google, and still messed up. Thanks!

[@blankrobber]

Love the score! Ralph Vaughan Williams, Bach, Boccherini

[@pilsplease7561]

Cochrane was real gangster in the stuff he pulled. Easily the greatest single captain in british history as far as raw achievements.

[@dylanstacey3514]

Thank you for sharing this I never knew! Now I gotta go out and get all 20 books!

[@TheJohn8765]

I *adore* this movie. It's basically perfect from script adaptation from the books to camera work to effects to sound design to casting to accuracy to acting. It's a masterpiece.

[@rheasilverstorm6366]

I am not the least bit interested in Napoleonic Era Naval History, yet I've watched this video multiple times. I love hearing Dan speak, it's so clear that he absolutely loves what he's doing. I love watching people talk about what they're passionate about, even if it doesn't interest me. There's just a glow on that person's face that makes me very happy.

[@electricbeaver854]

I am a reenactor in California, and I knew a guy who worked on that movie. They fired cannonballs through pallets with microphones behind them to replicate the sound of cannonballs crashing through the hull of the ship. This is the best movie ever made on combat at that time. Incredible realism. The ship is absolutely beautifully done. I've sailed on a square master ship replicated from that period.the Lady Washington.

[@mynature110]

Fantastic film by a great director but it's Patrick O'Brien's attention to historical detail that gives the film its authenticity. Great score too, Vaughan Williams 'Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis' over the man drowning in the storm is incredibly moving.

[@birchlover3377]

One of a handful of DVDs I held onto, favourite movie of its decade.❤❤❤

[@CaveWyatt]

To me, the late 90’s and early 00’s were kind of a golden era of movies. Through Saving Private Ryan to Master and Commander, and more, there were some great movies made. Makes one wonder how we degenerated into the state of movies now.

[@birchlover3377]

​@@CaveWyattagreed

[@colinthomas5462]

Yes absolutely, this great movie and LOTR 's all at the same time!!

[@DLFlorida]

one of the greatest movies of all time... its crazy to think that this movie never got a sequel while many lesser movies are in their 3rd, 4th iterations

[@HartmutJagerArt]

I think it is better that it got no sequel, because most sequels never reach the level of the first one!

[@gillianr-w8720]

I loved this film and every time it is repeated I watch it again which I will watch again this week. My 2 x great grandfather was enlisted into the Royal Navy aged 9yo about 1818 trained as a carpenter.

[@robertlily3749]

This movie is a masterpiece. I rewatched last year and the thing I was struck by was the strength of the human drama. Yes there is action but this is not an action movie. The focus of the story is the men who constitute the ship. Taika Waititi was once asked what his favorite romantic movie was and he responded "Master and Commander". It's obviously a flippant and humorous response but there is something in that answer.

[@HartmutJagerArt]

...something ? Like What? There is Nothing romantic in any brutal war!

[@Spreadie]

I've seen this film many times, and while likely see it many times more. Superb piece of cinema.