The Making of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

by Tom McGregor

Book Overview

Peter Weir's astonishing film brings Patrick O'Brian's world to life, complete with its swashbuckling adventures, brilliantly drawn characterization, romance, and intrigue. It is sure to captivate stalwart enthusiasts of O'Brian's work as well as draw in new fans everywhere. With unique access to the cast and crew, Tom McGregor traces the project, from the actors' boot camp to the filming in the Galapagos Islands and on board a replica ship (in the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393325539
• ISBN13: 9780393325539
• Release Date: October 2003
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.7" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

Essential companion

This is an excellent book which explains the huge amount of work that went into the making of the film Master and Commander. The sheer amount of research and attention to detail revealed by this book greatly enhances the enjoyment of the film.

Making of Master and Commander

Lots of great large pictures and plenty of information. A good book to ad to your collection of movie related books.

Can't Stop Reading It!

My dad loves Master and Commander (and so do I), so I got him this book for Christmas. He loves it and said it was his favorite present this year! He says he's also reading the books by Patrick O'Brian (the author of the books that inspired this movie) and he said he sometimes goes back to this book for reference after reading the novels. This book is divided into sections - stuff about the crew, the doctor, the captain, etc. It has quotes from the actors and stuff about the novels and the author. Well, all I can say is my dad loves this book and is still looking at it from Christmas and I look at it all I can. If you love the Master and Commander movie, you'll love this book!

A Fan's Dream Come True!!!

If you love the O'Brian series and the movie, this book is not only full of colour photos but also contains much information about the movie and its actors. Any interested in the 19th century British Royal Navy will find it intersting, also. A great book!!!

An excellent look behind the scenes

I'm a great fan of O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin novels and of Napoleonic era naval fiction in general, and I looked forward to this film with a certain apprehension. I mean, how could they possibly do justice to O'Brian's extremely detailed world? Would they just crank out a superficial action film? I'm not sure any devotée was entirely pleased with the result, but it was, in fact, a pretty damn good movie. And all the background information and photos in this book help explain why. Peter Weir, the director, was a fanatic on accurate historical detail, including small items you never see on camera (but the crew knows they're there). He kept the entire cast together for the full five months of filming at the big tank in Baja, the same way a ship's crew would be together every day of their lives. And he instituted hierarchy (with Russell Crowe at the top, naturally) even during the "boot camp" phase at the beginning of the project. And on and on. A fascinating look behind the scenes and into the minds of all the people responsible for the film. I winced every time they talked about the "cannon," though.