Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World: Surprise attack

[@josephagundez5336]

I randomly showed this movie in my World History class a few years ago after my students did two full days of state testing. They were exhausted and we were wrapping up our Napoleonic Wars unit. I put it on thinking none of them would watch it, but it would at least be some background noise while they worked on missing assignments and it was relevent to our unit. ALL of my students were glued to the screen, not a phone in sight, just fully invested in the story of Jack Aubrey and the HMS Surprise. I was happy to learn that one of my students picked up the first two books while out shopping at Barnes & Noble with his mom and by the time he graduated last year he read the entire series.

[@PatienceWithAnimals-be6uc]

Teachers like you truly alter the course of students entire lives!!! :)

[@kevinclarkson7036]

Me too - the entire series

[@jonathangarrison]

That's teaching, Mr. Pullings. My God, that's teaching!

[@ozzyphil74]

It's a brilliant series too. Got me interested in sailing

[@robertf3479]

@@ozzyphil74 This series and the earlier "Hornblower" series by C.S. Forrester got me hooked into naval history. I first read "Captain Horatio Hornblower" some 60 years ago and then started the "Master and Commander" series right after I started my own Navy career. This movie deserves a well written and performed sequel.

[@drunkweebmarine9492]

This movie deserved so many awards. It’s a masterpiece

[@BaileysMariner]

It was up against Return of the King at the Oscars so didn't stand a chance.

[@drunkweebmarine9492]

@@BaileysMariner oh I know sadly

[@philip8551]

ITS A MASTAPIECE

[@markus30000]

And also a commanderpiece!

[@BlazeTheGamer1]

I guess you could say it really is the master and commander of the genre!

[@hunterm4188]

“Straight at them Mr. Moet” “Straight at them sir” Sends chills down your back

[@RachelMckinit]

The definition of indefatigable!

[@Rasbiff]

Mowett can't wait to get into close action.

[@robbiereilly]

I love how Mr. Mowett at first is shocked by the command, then realizes, no, this is lucky Jack. Straight at 'em, indeed.

[@mansah707]

there wont be another masterpiece like this one. words arent enough to praise the camera work , sound and the naval battle accuracy. always amazed and in awe. hats off to Peter Wier.

[@DenKHK]

I completely agree with you but for the opening scene I have just one major gripe - the camera angle of the view of the Acheron during the close fight. The vignetting suggests it's through the telescopes on the Surprise, but we see the Acheron almost bow-on while firing. Should've either done away with the vignette, so it looks like a normal movie audience's view, or taken from a realistic angle (like when observing Surprise's shot bounce off Acheron and Acheron returns fire at the quarterdeck)

[@mansah707]

@@DenKHK woah.. didnt think about that at all. but good thought and comment. thanks!

[@TaZ101SAGA]

@@DenKHK Ha, I thought I was the only one who ever noticed that.

[@STIAVI80R]

Most underrated and unawarded movie in my cinematic experience of 41 years. Deserved and still deserves a sequel

[@Mr_Dumpty]

Exactly! I still watch this film every now and then, as I did a few days ago again haha. Easily in my top five list but certainly an underappreciated film.

[@SS4Luxray]

Sadly this film flopped at the box office. It was released at the same time as Return of the King and every award it was nominated for and lost went to RotK. Also, it was released just a few months after Curse of the Black Pearl. Crowe has said he’d return for a sequel. But sadly, the film only has a small fan base and I don’t think a studio would risk $150-200M on building practical ships or even CGI chips, especially after the strikes last year.

[@adamalexander4883]

@@SS4LuxrayInstead we’ll get Fast and Furious 42 or Saw 23. Formulaic, generic trash that attempts nothing original and takes zero risks, green-lit by greedy producers whose primary concern is not making good movies, but rather wringing as many pennies out of moviegoers as possible in order to appease shareholders.

[@robertf3479]

@@SS4Luxray That's unfortunate. The "HMS Surprise" is still afloat in San Diego, I have a screensaver of her passing USS Ronald Reagan that I've displayed on my computer at work with people commenting on how good the "Photo Shop" was. It ain't photo shopped and can still be found on Google.

[@donarthiazi2443]

It wasn't at all underrated 😂😂

[@steelhammer103]

I love the opening sequence of how the light of the cannon barrage is shown though the fog, and then followed up by the rumbles of the cannons, and then the momentary pause before cannonballs hit ship. I can watch that sequence over and over again.

[@brutusbarnabus8098]

The first salvo was grape shot, my brudda, used to take out personnel. Aubrey knew it which is why he told everyone to get down.

[@waynemongo]

Lovely bit o' grape

[@Rasbiff]

​​​​@@brutusbarnabus8098 that was not grapeshot, it is regular round shot, it's too far away for grape. If you pause the video at the right place you can see the round balls flying just above deck. The crew lays down because round shot is deadly as fuck too and the Acheron fires along the length of the Surprise, which has a potential of causing many causalities. Fortunately, Surprise takes the salvo straight to the bow which is a very sturdy part of the ship. That's why this salvo does do comparatively little damage compared to the broadsides delivered later in this scene which go right into the starboard side of the Surprise and takes out Tom and several gun crews.

[@andywhysall6744]

Bearing in mind that Acheron's view of Surprise is as good as the view the other way that we see, it's a miracle that any of Acheron's first broadside hit Surprise at all. But even two or three good hits from her main battery could have dome epic damage to Surprise. I enjoy looking out for shredded anachronistic plywood that appears as battle damage... But it's such a good movie I can forgive it anything. You might be disappointed learn that the real Acheron was a British bomb ship (big mortar and a few light guns) converted from a merchantman. Was burned after she and HMS Arrow put up a bit of an epic fight to prevent two French heavy frigates capturing their convoy.

[@johnredcorn2476]

​@@Rasbiff read somewhere the real killer was the wood splinters where the shot hit it. Much like how modern hesh rounds work

[@ISAF_Ace]

Not only does this sequence show an understanding of age of sail naval combat, but it also demonstrates its understanding of French and British firing tactics. French crews aimed high to kill officers and take down the masts reducing maneuverability, British crews aimed close to the waterline to cause flooding and dwindle return fire.

[@TheLostArchives1]

W understanding

[@neoxyte]

British crews also focused low in an effort to kill men. Their focus was not sinking ships as it's pretty hard to sink a wooden ship. Their focus was killing crew in an effort to disable ships or force the enemy to surrender.

[@fablucia]

Damn, I didnt know that. Valuable insight, thanks a lot for sharing!

[@levowen]

In the end to defeat the Acheron, Captain Aubrey must bend and adapt his own rules and ideas of naval warfare. Aiming high as opposed to aiming low in the first fight, disguising themselves as a whaler to draw the enemy closer and symbolically, he tells the crew no saluting after flogging a seamen for not saluting earlier. Not standing on tradition in this case appeared to be the lesser of two "weevils"

[@doublehelix5486]

@@neoxyte A wooden ship was good prize money - too wasteful to sink. And as far as I recall - Captain Aubrey was good at it.

[@spitfire4sergi]

Someday and mark my words: I’m going come back to this comment and say it finally happened… Somebody is going to have a Hollywood budget and make a Trafalgar movie with this quality. Hopefully in my lifetime!

[@Jjrmtv]

yes!

[@wyvern4248]

But who will be chosen to play Lord Nelson?

[@THE-BUNKEN-DRUM]

​@@wyvern4248: I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they tried to put some black "LBGQT...." woman in the role.

[@rodrikofharlaw6848]

@Documentary Detective III He's ignoring the battle stuff for a bunch of drama with napoleon's s*** wife. It'll be weak.

[@rodrikofharlaw6848]

@Documentary Detective III Jeez kingdom of heaven came out almost 20 years ago. What a world.

[@soldat2501]

2:13 I could watch that scene forever. It’s like an old oil painting. Amazing period in human existence. Such a beautiful and deadly way to make war.

[@dietcoke759]

Amazing shot. Would like to see them firing even closer in boarding hook distance

[@alexraptor7137]

Oh god yes! I mean the carnage of that kind of warfare was horrific, from the injuries to the infections that followed, if you were lucky, or unlucky enough to survive. But there is undeniably a certain majesty and awe-inspiring sight, to see too immovable tall titans, pummel away at each other, belching smoke and fire, as if each gunport was a gateway to hell itself. The ships themselves, finely crafted labors of love, some even adorned with ornamentation and sculptures by some of the most skilled artists of their time, though this was more true for vessels built in the 17th and 18th centuries.

[@forrestgumball]

Can only be competitive with WW2 air battles in terms of once in an eternity types of moments

[@johnh6065]

Just my two cents but gotta go with aboukir bay. still get nelson, and get the chase, the false reports, the correct reports, the run down, the full moon battle just as picturesque as hollywood could ask for, and nelson's own words amid the floating debris, hundreds dead and wounded, and the captured prizes "victory is not a storng enough word for such a scene."

[@wulfheort8021]

@@forrestgumball That's subjective though. I am most fascinated by tank warfare, but ships from the age of sails firing broadside to broadside at each other is the most awesome looking thing in warfare of all time.

[@kelleymcbride4633]

This movie gets better every time I watch it. Great Sunday afternoon rainy day movie. Adventure, loyalty, honor, discipline, hard work, friendship and sacrifice this movie has it all!

[@wulfheort8021]

A movie with a wonderful storyline, character arcs and even historical accuracy. My heart is satisfied.

[@matthewishunting]

The sound design in this movie is a character in itself. Bravo work

[@itsallgoodman4108]

Perfect film to test your new home theater sound system with

[@KingdaToro]

Probably the best ever. This is THE SCENE for demonstrating your sound system!

[@deadreckoning6288]

This opening scene in the theater was one of the most impressive Ive ever experienced.

[@shauntbarry]

20 years old and still looks fresh as a daisy.. Such an underrated movie

[@donarthiazi2443]

Oh please 🙄, this film won Academy Awards... nominated for 10 different ones. Received 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Ebert gave it 4 stars out of 4... but then everything that's ever been done is either _"underrated"_ or _"criminally underrated"_ on KZbin 😂😂

[@kjgoebel7098]

Astounding! A filmmaker who understands that sound doesn't travel instantaneously. I've seen that in maybe one other movie ever.

[@teldrah]

The Coen brothers also understand this. Towards the end of True Grit, we see Cogburn fire his revolver in the distance and hear the shot a moment later. But I agree, it's a rare thing to see.

[@kjgoebel7098]

@@teldrah Hmmmm, I want to watch that movie now, just for that. I do like the Coen brothers, except that their movies tend to be incredibly depressing. How depressing is True Grit, on a scale of The Hudsucker Proxy to The Man Who Wasn't There?

[@donarthiazi2443]

When Tom Selleck plays a sharpshooter in _Quigley Down Under_ and fires his rifle

[@TesGon]

Haven't watched this movie for about 5 years....damn. I started to tear up a little just from this scene. How bloddy good it was.

[@niklasdanielson2728]

Watched this movie more times than I could count, same thing with this scene and yet it was only now I noticed there's a cow in the background at 2:09. The attention to detail in this film is incredible...

[@briantaylor9285]

Love this movie. Had it on DVD and watched it at least 6 times lol. Most accurate Age of Sail movie to date.

[@iantait309]

6 times, is that all!

[@briantaylor9285]

@@iantait309 lol

[@bbd468]

Such an Incredible Movie! Damn shame it didn't get the recognition it deserves.

[@EnoVarma]

In a way, but it certainly was noticed, with 10 Academy Award nominations (two wins).

[@MattMeier]

It just happened to come out the same year as Pirates of the Caribbean and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

[@TheSilvercue]

One of the best films ever made. Under rated despite Oscars.

[@donarthiazi2443]

Nothing underrated about this film 🙄

[@Redman147]

I wished this movie came out before PofC, but it is what it is. This movie was such a masterclass in tradition ship on ship warfare.

[@XxowendanxX]

Consider this the day that you ALMOST captured Captain Jack Sparrow! ☠️ 🏴‍☠️ 🦜

[@robbiereilly]

This film brings tears to my eyes it's so good. I feel every single frame of it is outstanding. My only regret is that there wasn't a sequel. The ending begged for it. So glad Peter Weir made this film. His work, always hauntingly beautiful, is inspired and never cliche.

[@hellhound47bravo3]

I like that the captain, when he saw one of the midshipmen still down on the deck, just pulls him up and gives a simple correction. Give the issue as much attention as needed, and drive on.

[@luisorellana9194]

When life gets hard only remember: Hold your position, courage now!

[@timesthree5757]

Hold fast

[@JPOGers]

1:28 This is how you do subtle comedy in a serious historical action film by the way

[@codyking4848]

Pretty good depiction of what naval combat must have been like in the age of sail. The massive amounts of wooden splinters flying everywhere caused more injuries and deaths than any cannonball ever could. The sound of the cannonfire and shot whizzing through the air really was something in the theatre. Awesome movie.

[@floatingplanet]

This movie is an absolute blast to watch with surround sound lol

[@aliasunknown7476]

Once the wheel is shot away, the officer directs men to man the tiller located on the orlop deck below the waterline. The tiller is what the wheel controls to turn the rudder. Unfortunately they discover a portion of the rudder also shot away rendering the ship essentially dead in the water.

[@forlorndream1400]

If you liked the movie I'd suggest reading the books. There's a whole series of them and everyone is fantastic.

[@teldrah]

Reading a copy of 'Master and Commander' I inherited from my late grandfather right now, such an amazingly detailed book.

[@michaeljmobley]

An underrated classic. So well done.

[@Revkor]

not only did the achoron have more guns, 44 for maybe 32 but they were heavier guns. And with surprise and wind on their side it's only by Jack's quick thinking they idn't surrender

[@deepdungeon8465]

I think the guns were made by Americans. They're Guns in Warships even tho not 2nd or 1st rate could rival even the First Rates Man'O Wars. Truly, Murican Guns. 😂

[@filmfacts2]

😔My favorite scene in the film comes right at the beginning. Hollom, the unlucky one, is on guard and suspects he has seen an enemy ship, but is not sure. The director Peter Weir did a really great job of implementing this

[@stevemeyer4765]

I quite like James D'Arcy / Pullings in everything hes been in. Its a wonder he never took off as a Leading Man. He has the look and the acting chops.

[@zovoth]

Wish they made sequels to this excellent film

[@bubba4198]

Movies like this are so fondly remembered because there are no sequels

[@zovoth]

@@bubba4198 That is true for most films, but certain Aliens, Terminator 2 and even Ghostbusters Afterlife are all worthy sequels

[@dietcoke759]

There is reportedly a prequel in the works.

[@zovoth]

@@dietcoke759 Cool jelly beans! Thanks for letting us know! I shall watch and drink diet coke with great anticipation when that day arrives

[@georgeofhamilton]

It’s too late to make sequels because these actors have gotten too old.

[@amvlabs5339]

0:16 i LOVE that shot of the ship just forcing through the canon shot

[@barbarossa1983]

Absolutely amazing underrated film

[@RifetOkic]

2:06 ON THE UP-ROLL…. FIREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@davidcarruthers5850]

Thats called a REAL Naval Battle....

[@songsmith31a]

To find this film made in this "space/fantasy" age was brilliant - as was the film itself.

[@watch-Dominion-2018]

Best nautical movie ever Best Russell Crowe movie Best movie of 2003, even better than Return of the King

[@grahamhodge8313]

I never tire of watching this movie and don't understand why it has not attracted greater approbation.

[@adamalexander4883]

I adore this movie. 21 years later, it holds up perfectly. It’s an absolute crime of cinema that no further films were ever made.

[@morpheusspirit6609]

An excellent movie!! The battle scenes are great. Also good acting.

[@VRichardsn]

What a fantastic scene.

[@quack_stack]

Someone who's seen combat once told me that getting shot at is like a piece of rebar materializing above your head. I can't imagine what that feels like when it's a goddamn cannon ball.

[@bitparity]

I haven't seen combat, but the first time I understood suppressing fire was playing close quarters paintball. When you feel a hallway filled at close range with heavy projectiles, suddenly you understand "right, not that way."

[@J_C_CH]

The image of the fog suddenly lighting up as the Acheron fires it's cannons has been seared into my brain for twenty years.

[@sethleger6105]

2:36 gotta love to see the tri color fly 🇫🇷

[@itsallgoodman4108]

My ancestors routed your ancestors at Waterloo. Just remember that each time you want think that flag is better than any other

[@sethleger6105]

@@itsallgoodman4108 last time I remembered the French military has won more than the British military buddy. Even today their military is the most powerful in Europe.

[@artlover1477]

And a rather large one at that!

[@harryselwind]

@@sethleger6105 Last time I remembered, military included navy and air force as well as army, buddy. That puts the French a very poor second. Indeed, in the greatest conflict in history, France surrendered after just six weeks. Britain was there from the beginning to the end, including a year when it stood alone with the both the USSR and the USA remaining neutral, buddy.

[@crusaderade-]

​@itsallgoodman4108 The French can't keep their immigrants at bay, but it's nice seeing them flee once again. If you think about about nautical dominance just think about Horiotio Nelson and there's an island full of them 😉 with or without your immigrants (because the French are worse than UK now) blu blu blue 😂

[@ahmedshaharyarejaz9886]

This must have been the most terrifying form of warfare for participants in its time.

[@fiedag]

Watched it again last Sunday for possibly the 8th time and my enjoyment of it only increases. I have just resolved to reread the series.

[@l_______5]

They do a great job with the atmosphere in this movie. The Acheron flashing its guns in the fog looks like a demon with fiery eyes, and the drum that accompany the appearance of the ship really conveys the dread the British crew is most likely feeling.

[@margonca17]

The sound editing is amazing!!

[@Masada1911]

I think this movie got an oscar for it actually

[@jonsmitt9769]

I’d love to see a sequel covering the battle of Quiberon Bay. Fleet battle during a storm among rocks.

[@vonhellfinger7540]

A Masterpiece of Cinema as relevant then is it is now or even in a thousand years time.

[@lettherebelamp5102]

“0:50 Stand tall on the quarter deck son, all of us.” Damn that’s too tough.

[@kerrinmorgan7887]

love Captain Jack's second wind at the end.

[@PavelDGromnic]

I'm on my third time through the twenty volumes. It's like a long symphony, and never a note should be missed. I can't either recommend or praise it enough. It's not the battle scenes nor the politics that have drawn me, but Jack and Stephen. The history lessons are interesting enough, but the real drama is in their friendship, their common travails, and their faith in one another. If you read it, you will find, as I know I have, better men there than here.

[@ThePapawhisky]

A truly great movie. When I was a young officer, I would watch this movie for the great examples of leadership.

[@davidmurray5399]

A lighter, smaller ship would have to work towards a stern or bow rake, if possible. it's lighter armament could be reloaded faster and put more rounds into the enemy. Later in the Napoleonic era, smaller vessels would have a pair of carronades, which would have lethal firepower in close engagements. Skill in sail-handling and manning the ship would often be the decisive factor in a running fight.

[@bascxx2]

THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER MADE.

[@CorekBleedingHollow]

On the uprow! FIRE!!

[@KingdaToro]

Uproll. The ship rolls side to side, so you want to fire on either the uproll or downroll. Firing on the uproll makes you more likely to hit the rigging, it's what you do if you want to capture the ship. Firing on the downroll makes you more likely to hit the hull, it's what you do if you want to sink her.

[@chrisbarker9852]

when i first watched this film i was not impressed, then i watched it again and it is a masterpiece.

[@MarkPaipoKelly]

Bettany is a SUPERB actor

[@acolytesun]

This movie was perfect.

[@thanglongnguyenvu3815]

Showing the chaos inside the ship was really cool. I'm glad it's not some back and forth cannon shooting.

[@jonny-b4954]

0:45 Imagine sharpshooting from a fuckin mast of a ship on a rolling, foggy sea. Hahaha 2:08 Poor oxen. Such a fantastic movie

[@steveoh9285]

What a magnificent film, shame they didn’t do a sequel.

[@edwardmartin4169]

Muy buena película

[@camrenwick]

Fantastic film

[@matlam3894]

Chef d'oeuvre absolu!

[@cdub4693]

A Masterpiece

[@DrawnInk1]

Such a great movie

[@Christianevanwhite]

Very underrated movie.

[@jektonoporkins5025]

I remember watching this scene as a teenager and the thing this scene taught me was that in naval combat there was no option of retreat. If you were a soldier in a land battle and your unit got routed, you could just make for the trees and save your own skin. That wasn't the case in the navy. Your options were fight, die, or surrender, in that order.

[@nemo99nemo83]

But the Surprise retreats several times in this movie :D

[@alexshank1414]

This should have a minute before this scene starts. The sounding of the bell gives their position/advantage away.

[@mark.8949]

Just the bell? They beat drums to quarters a minute or two before the bell..you don't think the French heard that?

[@Pavia1525]

Wooden Ships and Iron Men

[@everettmadsen4265]

Does anyone know what Mr. Mowett says at 2:32?

[@patricktracy1966]

Something about the tiller, then he orders someone to "collect these wounded".

[@eddy6892]

Mowett is ordering relieving tackles to be placed on the tiller. When the pair of tackles is hooked to the tiller they helped in steering when the wheel or tiller rope was shot away.

[@everettmadsen4265]

@@eddy6892 Thanks!

[@Rasbiff]

"Relieving tackles on the tiller! You men, collect these wounded!"

[@Ally.Cat.252]

😂 lol that dude “damage report if you please!”

[@Bantam1980]

So good - the attention to historical detail is amazing

[@d53101]

Always disappointed there never was a sequel done.

[@CaffeinePanda]

What I would give to have a 4K release of this movie. It was shot on film so it's technically possible, it would just need enough demand for the studio to think it's worthwhile...I can dream.

[@fabiofilardi7736]

Adoro esse filme

[@lettherebelamp5102]

Any other year this film would have swept the Oscars. Just their bad luck they went up against Return of the King

[@jayjay-bz3rr]

I love this movie

[@rodritchison1995]

The Acheron was a computer generated model of 'the Constitution.' 44 guns, 24 pounder frigate. Truly "out of our class."

[@michaelkovacic2608]

The red paint scheme was extremely beautiful

[@azed1685]

“Hold your positions” -Mr Hollum was a G

[@yatsumleung8618]

1:05 Old salty sailor Mr Joe Plaice. He's kind of important 1:40 Cannon shot wiped out the gun crew. Gun deck commander Lieutenant Pulling knocked out. 1:45 Midshipman Hollum was unhurt though. It became a cause of tension in the plot. 1:52 Midshipman (leter Ensign) Calamy asked Midshipman Blakeney to get the captain to take over the gun deck 2:19 Shots from Surprise bounced off Acheron's hull 2:28 Mizzenmast top sail collapsed and broke Midshipman Blakeney's arm. Stray pulley broke Joe Plaice's skull (the guy who had HOLD FAST tattooed on his fingers. He survived this and the surgery after) 2:32 Sub-Lieutenant Mowatt maintaining order on deck 2:40 Captain knew something was off. Passed command to Midshipman Calamy, before getting a concussion.

[@kingmany1]

@2:07 is just such a pump!

[@alnavarijo2100]

Hello sea lovers ...in high school , read the book " two yrs before the mask" i imagine some of those British sailors were forced to serve in the Brit navy... step lively mates...😊😊😊

[@sanmar6292]

I used this Scene to test out Sound Setups

[@ronsutherland4025]

How would they ever carry enough spare boards on the ship to repair all that damage?

[@whiteknightcat]

What makes you think they'd repair battle damage? As long as she floated and was able to return home, the damage was for the shipyard to deal with.

[@medsavir1751]

Good movie..I like so much🔔

[@bacilluscereus1299]

Rum, bum and the lash. According to Winston Churchill

[@joecorcilles2231]

Mr. Mowett is an excellent comnat leader

[@GK1976A]

Such a good film. I will never sell my copy on DVD.

[@alalder1533]

I would recommend the Patrick O'Brian novels on which this film is based. They're a fascinating portrayal of life in the Royal Navy in the 19th century and based largely on fact. Whilst this film is a compilation of 'snatches' from O'Brian's series of novels (there are eighteen Aubrey/Maturin novels and they'll keep you reading for months) the film and this sequence does them justice.

[@jacktattis]

I think someone should have a look at Sir Edward Pellew

[@zhuangsaur227]

Now if the Archeron were an Ironclad .... 😮

[@hiddenfromhistory100]

Vive la revolution!

[@samanthab1923]

Loved the cook. Leave the swords! Grab the bloody silver 😆 all that whinging never anything you can dance to

[@cliffordwilson2700]

hold fast.thats discipline