Author Topic: Master and Commander  (Read 1806 times)

Offline Sandman

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Master and Commander
« on: May 04, 2004, 01:27:33 PM »
I just watched the DVD this weekend. Excellent movie.

I'm interested in reading the books, but I had no idea there were so many. Any recommendations on which books to start with?

TIA
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Offline Yeager

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« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2004, 01:36:05 PM »
Yes, just saw it on DV.  Really fantastic film making.
Dont know much about the book(s) but would be interested as well for sure.
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Offline Steve

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« Reply #2 on: May 04, 2004, 01:40:35 PM »
That's funny Sandman, I rented this DVD for my first viewing this weekend as well.  I love the ship scenes.  I thought the way they showed damage from the projectiles was really well done... things like wounds from splinters.. the path the ball traveled... etc.
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Offline Sandman

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« Reply #3 on: May 04, 2004, 01:44:01 PM »
Yeah... I'm betting the books are pretty high on detail as well. Having been in the Navy, it might be interesting. Many of the traditions are still practiced even today.

Aubrey-Maturin Series
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Offline Curval

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« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2004, 01:52:03 PM »
The books are actually a tough read unless you are really into the ships of that era and enjoy the author's writing style.

I have been trying to get through the original "Master and Commander", but there is something about the way in which the guy writes that makes me loose interest.  He jumps around so much it is hard to keep track.
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Offline gofaster

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« Reply #5 on: May 04, 2004, 02:26:06 PM »
You should've seen it in the theatres. :D  Nothing at home can match the wide-screen and big speakers and no neighbors yelling at you to turn it down because the cannons are too loud.

The M&C can be read in chronological order.  I haven't read any of the books (yet) because I have a couple of other books I'm working my way through, such as "Life Before The Mast", which is a collection of memoirs from sailors and naval officers from the age of sail (including Nelson's letters about the Battle of the Nile).

Offline Pooh21

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« Reply #6 on: May 04, 2004, 03:09:51 PM »
Read the book it rocks, though I love that period almost as much as I enjoy ww2 air combat. I didnt get to see it in the theaters :mad:  and I just got back from the video store where they have 34 copies,all gone.
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Offline 214thCavalier

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« Reply #7 on: May 04, 2004, 04:32:57 PM »
Good film, its also small enough to get a very high quality "backup" on DVD.

Offline capt. apathy

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« Reply #8 on: May 04, 2004, 04:46:15 PM »
great film, I really enjoyed it.

some great sea scenes.  and I've always had a draw to the old tall-ships.

I'm almost embarassed to admit it but the "lesser of two weavels" scene struck me as funny as hell, too.

Offline Otto

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« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2004, 04:59:11 PM »
I saw it in a Theater with Stadium Seating and 'Uber' sound.  It was 'four stars'.   I'm a sailor and the ship handling was first rate.

 Even my girlfriend liked it :)

Offline Saurdaukar

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« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2004, 05:09:28 PM »
Great flick.

Thanks for the link to the books - now all we have to wait for is that Burning Sea (or something?) game.

Offline takeda

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« Reply #11 on: May 04, 2004, 05:10:50 PM »
I saw the movie on DVD 4 weeks ago, I loved it.
I particularly loved the ending, even made a point of looking for the violin-as-guitar piece they play. (Boccherini's "La musica notturna delle Strade di Madrid")

Since then I have devoured 10 Aubrey-Maturin novels, 5  Hornblower ones, 2 of Dudley Pope's Ramage and one about the Bounty mutiny (yes, my gf is quite pissed about "this silly ship fever" by now)

And yeah. O'Brien is a bit hard to read, the sailing jargon, the 18th century jargon,  the plethora of weird bird names, the sometimes convoluted phrasing.... Still very very nice reading.

I look forward to go visit HMS Victory this summer, if I can trick my poor girlfriend into it.

Offline Toad

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« Reply #12 on: May 04, 2004, 05:47:39 PM »
I think this is the "time line" ordering of the books:

Master And Commander
 1970
 
 Post Captain
 1972
   
      H.M.S. Surprise
 1973
   
      The Mauritius Command
 1977
     
      Desolation Island
 1978
     
      The Fortune Of War
 1979
   
   
      The Surgeon's Mate
 1980
   
   
      The Ionian Mission
 1981
 
   
      Treason's Harbour
 1983
 
   
      The Far Side Of The World
 1984
 
   
      The Reverse Of The Medal
 1986
 
   
      The Letter Of Marque
 1988
 
   
      The Thirteen-Gun Salute
 1980
 
   
      The Nutmeg Of Consolation
 1991
 
   
      Clarissa Oakes
 1992
 
   
      The Wine Dark Sea
 1993
 
   
      The Commodore
 1994
 
   
      The Yellow Admiral
 1996
 
 

I read them all back in the later 90's. Some are better than others but I felt the wistful sadness when I had finished the series; I did enjoy the ride. I'll probably reread them all someday.
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Offline mudder

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« Reply #13 on: May 04, 2004, 06:13:38 PM »
I've read them all. The history and detail in the books is amazing and quit a bit of humor. Of cource the main characters in the movie were a bit thinly drawn. My brother, who is a much more voracious reader than me could'nt get through the first book. One of his main complaint was the fact that every time Jack was ashore in England he was an embarising screw up. :) Really I think there was to much detail for him to slog through.

Offline Yeager

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« Reply #14 on: May 04, 2004, 08:09:42 PM »
Why does sandman have a conservative beating the snot out of a liberal as his avatar?


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