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June 02, 2006
This ship is England!
I finally got around to watching Master and Commander, starring Russell Crowe as the Napoleonic-era Captain Jack Aubrey of the HMS Surprise.
I'm not sure why it took me so long to see it, given my love of military history in general, and my service in the navy, but it was better than I'd hoped. Australian director Peter Weir has put as detailed and accurate an account of life in His Majesty's navy as we're ever likely to see, with incredible attention to detail. The monotony and hardship of 18th-century service aboard ship is balanced by the terror of enormous seas, cannon balls smashing through oak and limbs, sailors sweating and cursing in cramped gundecks, struggling to reload as smoke burns their lungs and blood slicks the decks.
The story is set in 1805; England is at war with Napoleon, and HMS Surprise is engaged in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the French frigate Acheron. More heavily armed and armored than its English counterpart, the French ship provides an uncharacteristically potent threat to the men of His Majesty's fleet.
Russell Crowe, a favorite since his portrayal as a violent 1950s-era detective in L.A. Confidential, is superb as the ship's captain, the very picture of what is an effective leader of men. His friend and confidante in the film is the ship's doctor, portrayed by Paul Bettany -- currently the albino killer monk in the DaVinci Code. The two men are radically different -- one a man of action, a master seaman and tactician, the other a man of science, a naturalist and philosopher. The depiction of their friendship is subtle and superb, as they play duets on the cello and violin, debating and arguing to pass the time during the long voyage.
I'm always bothered by actors who fake it when shown playing musical instruments, and Crowe looked like he was really playing the violin in these scenes; I later read that he had learned for the role, saying that the violin was the hardest thing he'd done for any film role.
Modern audiences unfamiliar with the era will undoubtedly be shocked by the youth of the junior officers, the youngest about 13, but many of England's finest naval commanders began their careers at sea as young boys, making the modern practice of referring to young adults as "kids" even more repellent.
The stress of maintaining military discipline, a necessary distance from the crew, is relieved by raucous dinners in the Captain's Quarters, where gentlemen may tell tall tales and offer toasts:
"To wives and sweethearts; may they never meet!"
Captain Aubrey offers a rousing speech to his crew before the final battle.
Right lads, now, I know there's not a faint heart among you, and I know you're as anxious as I am to get into close action. But we must bring them right up beside us before we spring this trap. That will test our nerve, and discipline will count just as much as courage.
The Acheron is a tough nut to crack ... more than twice our guns, more than twice our numbers, and they will sell their lives dearly.
[...]
Gun crews, you must run out and tie down in double quick time. With the rear wheels removed, you've gained elevation. and without recoil, there'll be no chance for re-load, so gun captains, that gives you one shot from the lardboard battery ... one shot only. You'll fire for her mainmast. Much will depend on your accuracy ... however ... even crippled, she will still be dangerous, like a wounded beast.
Captain Howard and the marines will sweep their weather deck with swivel gun and musket fire from the tops. They'll try and even the odds for us before we board. They mean to take us as a prize.
And we are worth more to them undamaged. Their greed ... will be their downfall. England is under threat of invasion, and though we be on the far side of the world, this ship is our home. This ship is England. So it's every hand to his rope or gun, quick's the word and sharp's the action. After all... surprise is on our side.
From the quiet beauty of the Galapagos Islands to the awful brutality of battle, this film is one of the best I've seen. The quiet moments are as impressive as the action scenes, and the realization that these men traveled so far and survived -- triumphed in their wooden ships is awe inspiring.
Do yourself a favor, though -- watch it on a big screen.
In an age when crossing the globe takes mere hours, and the definition of hardship has become lack of a signal for your cell phone, Master and Commander is a bracing reminder of the courage and sacrifice that was celebrated the world over.
Posted by Mike Lief at June 2, 2006 07:47 AM
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Comments
David Mamet said, on the occasion of Patrick O'Brian's death, "And I will not say I cried at his death, but I will not say I did not."
Posted by: LT at June 2, 2006 09:19 AM
That's an excellent Mamet tribute and makes you wonder why these books aren't required reading in school... adventure, sacrifice, consequences and courage. Patrick O'Brian writes what people can feel. The movie version also sounds excellent.
Posted by: Vermont Neighbor at June 2, 2006 12:01 PM
This film won't win any awards at the International Peace Film Festival. I can't understand why either in film or in history, OOAL finds the greatest moments of Western civilization to involve violence and bloodshed. I'm sick of the rest of the world seeing the United States as some war machine. In our film our politics and our literature, America should portray the face of peace at every turn. I am proud to say that I have never held a real gun. I have never hurt an animal. I have never been in a fight or even pushed another person. OOAL may question my manliness. I am a MAN. I am a man of PEACE. Instead of thinking about the glory of war, let us sit down together, break bread, talk, and relish in the beauty of life. Let's learn to talk out our problems. Let's learn to understand our neighbors instead of building walls to keep them out or arming ourselves to kill them. Think about that OOAL. You need to redefine your world view, open your eyes, and smell the roses. The world is not such a scary place if you open up your heart and stop looking at people who look and speak differently as threats. Oh yes, I am just a little off topic again. It's late and I'm still enjoying a slight party buzz. Night night.
Posted by: Sbarro at June 4, 2006 01:33 AM
("You need to redefine your world view, open your eyes, and smell the roses.")
Definitely take time to smell the roses ... after the napalm clears.
Posted by: Vermont Neighbor at June 4, 2006 12:03 PM
And if the US is some war machine, how do you see terrorists? Because while you're dreaming, they're planning.
I admire your anti-war view for the hope it generates. But realistically, the Muslim reactionaries have made non-violence a totally outdated concept. If the Dems don't provide a specific plan for 2008, they won't get the vote. It's not enough to say, Stop.
Posted by: Vermont Neighbor at June 5, 2006 09:56 AM
Hey Sbarro - I missed you. Too much partying?
OOAL stops to smell the flowers -- just look at the beautiful pictures in the latest post. He's downright in touch with his... Oh nevermind. You wouldn't get it, but this world really doesn't have a whole lot of use for men who "sit down together, break bread, talk, and relish in the beauty of life," or "learn to talk out our problems," but don't do anything to distinguish themselves from the women in their lives.
We need people who can take pretty pictures, yet can still understand that understanding your neighbors might mean building walls to keep them out and protect us from them.
I invite you to go to your local courthouse for one full week and watch how well that works. Then maybe you will understand there are people in this world that are just evil and for whom all the talking in the world will not change.
By the way: Do you have leather shoes or a leather belt? Have you ever eaten jello? I can guarantee that any animal slaughtered to make it was treated less humanely than the bird I might shoot for my dinner. At least it got to fly free it's entire life. Can you say the same about the animal that was used for your purposes?
And you never answered my query before -- you're pro abortion (aka "pro choice"), right?
Posted by: Thin Ice at June 5, 2006 11:14 AM
That's an interesting post Thin Ice! I'm going to pick on your choice of words but compliment you on the overall message. Nagging is my divine right.
Actually, men can distinguish themselves from the women in their lives not by taking on the authoritative decision-making roles. Everyone would agree, that part of functioning society should be done by all competent, qualified people regardless of race/gender.
Men are great when they're talky and demonstrative. And it's true, it is important to achieve something in life if mostly to bring in that old aphrodisiac, Power.
I read a two-part article in the Guardian on Sean Penn in which they focused on his hidden emotions, while talking about all his expressions of emotion from childhood till now. A real paradox ... and a really interesting blend of strength and weakness.
Posted by: Vermont Neighbor at June 5, 2006 07:51 PM
Sbarro, how nice that you have never held a real gun. How nice that you don't have to since so many brave and fine folks have been willing to learn how to use them to fight for and protect your life, your property, your rights.
On this the 62nd anniversary of D Day, I say Thank Heavens there were brave men willing to overcome their fear and do what needed to be done to crush the maddog bullies of the 20th century.
I wonder if we have the same resolve today?
Posted by: Leni at June 6, 2006 11:23 AM