June 23rd     
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World**        
(US 2003)   
Twentieth Century Fox/Universal/Miramax. 138m. Panavision

The HMS Surprise sails for the Brazilian coast to intercept a French privateer ship intent upon escalating the Napoleonic wars.
Entertaining shipboard adventure pretending to be something more serious, with the testosterone of Russell Crowe instead of the onetime dignified authority of Jack Hawkins. The director makes the pauses for reflection on life and nature on the Galapagos at least watchable and not too slack, in between a stylish and stark Saving Private Ryan-style begging and ending battle.

Written by: Peter Weir, John Collee, based on the novels by Patrick O'Brien.
Producers: Samuel Goldwyn Jnr, Duncan Henderson, Peter Weir.
Director: Peter Weir.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, James D'Arcy, Lee Ingleby, Robert Pugh, Billy Boyd, David Threlfall, Edwards Woodall.
Photography: Russell Boyd.
Music: Iva Davies, Christopher Gordon, Richard Tognetti (and Vaughan Williams).
Editing: Lee Smith.

Preceded by:
Momma Don't Allow*
(GB 1955.  BFI Experimental Film Fund. 22m. bw; Earthy but energetic drama documentary from two noted future British filmmakers; w, d: Karel Reisz, Tony Richardson; s: Chris Barber Jazz Band, and others.)