Welcome to the September meeting of the Risky Regencies Jane Austen Movie Club!
(And I apologize for our last-minute cancellation last month — I’ll blame it on my cat, as soon as I think how.)
Today, we’re discussing the feature film MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD.
Have you seen it?
If so, what did you think?
For those of you who’ve read some or all of the O’Brian books, did the movie satisfy you? Annoy you? How?
For those who aren’t familiar with the Aubrey/Maturin books, how did the movie work for you? Did it make sense?
To aid the discussion, the major credits follow, with some “you may have seen this actor before in this” in italics…
DIRECTOR: Peter Weir
SCREENPLAY: Peter Weir and John Collee
Based on the novels of Patrick O’Brian
CAST:
Russell Crowe: Capt. Jack Aubrey
Paul Bettany: Dr. Stephen Maturin, Surgeon
Bettany will play Lord Melbourne in the upcoming THE YOUNG VICTORIA. He was also Prince William of Orange in SHARPE’S WATERLOO.
James D’Arcy: 1st Lt. Tom Pullings
Does the handsome first lieutenant look familiar? James D’Arcy played Tom Bertram in the most recent MANSFIELD PARK adaptation, and Nicholas Nickleby for television in 2001.
Edward Woodall: 2nd Lt. William Mowett
Woodall played Robert Martin in the Gwyneth Paltrow EMMA.
Chris Larkin: Capt. Howard, Royal Marines
Max Pirkis: Blakeney, Midshipman
Jack Randall: Boyle, Midshipman
Max Benitz: Calamy, Midshipman
Lee Ingleby: Hollom, Midshipman
Richard Pates: Williamson, Midshipman
Robert Pugh: Mr. Allen, Master
Richard McCabe: Mr. Higgins, Surgeon’s Mate
McCabe also played a naval man in the Root/Hinds PERSUASION — he was Captain Benwick. He was also Mr. Brocklehurst in the 2006 JANE EYRE, and will appear as Sir James Hare in the upcoming THE DUCHESS.
Ian Mercer: Mr. Hollar, Boatswain
Tony Dolan: Mr. Lamb, Carpenter
David Threlfall: Preserved Killick, Captain’s Steward
Billy Boyd: Barrett Bonden, Coxswain
Boyd, of course, was Pippin in the LORD OF THE RINGS movies.
Bryan Dick: Joseph Nagle, Carpenter’s Mate
Joseph Morgan: William Warley, Cpt. of Mizzentop
Morgan was William Price in the recent MANSFIELD PARK.
George Innes: Joe Plaice, Able Seaman
William Mannering: Faster Doudle, Able Seaman
Patrick Gallagher: Awkward Davies, Able Seaman
Alex Palmer: Nehemiah Slade, Able Seaman
Mark Lewis Jones: Mr. Hogg, Whaler
John DeSantis: Padeen, Loblolly Boy
Ousmane Thiam: Black Bill, Killick’s Mate
Thierry Segall: French Captain
So . . . what did you think???
All answers welcome!
Cara
Cara King, who isn’t even master and commander of her cat