The Making of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World [Hardcover]

Tom McGregor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 14, 2003

The fascinating story behind one of the most highly anticipated movies to come out of Hollywood in recent years. 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 same studio where Titanic was filmed). With exclusive photographs and interviews with key members of the cast, including Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany (A Beautiful Mind), and director Peter Weir (Dead Poets' Society, Green Card, The Truman Show), this book records the painstaking work of the crew and stars in making the film as historically accurate as possible, from replicating the uniforms of Nelson's navy to bringing the gun deck of the Surprise incredibly to life. Exclusive behind-the-scenes insight and information on the history of the project are dazzlingly showcased in this unique companion, featuring the same high production standards and imagination as the film itself.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (October 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393058654
• ISBN-13: 978-0393058659
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,999,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't Stop Reading It!, March 20, 2007

By 

Book Lover "Rachel" (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Making of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (Paperback)

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!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent look behind the scenes, November 18, 2005

By 

Michael K. Smith (South Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Making of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (Paperback)

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.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fan's Dream Come True!!!, June 26, 2006

By 

Dan "DSG" (Pontotoc, Ms USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Making of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (Paperback)

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!!!