The acclaimed 2003 film, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, captivated audiences with its immersive depiction of naval battles during the Napoleonic Wars and stellar performances, notably from Russell Crowe. Following its highly anticipated 4K Blu-ray launch in the US last month, many fans found it difficult to secure a copy due to rapid sell-outs on Amazon. For those still hoping to add it to their collection, Amazon has once again made the Master and Commander Limited Edition Steelbook available for order.
While Amazon currently shows the recently released Steelbook Edition as `temporarily out of stock,` customers can still place an order, and the item will be shipped as soon as new inventory arrives.
This Steelbook Edition marks the sole 4K Blu-ray release available in the US. Although a region-free standard edition with a slipcover was released in Europe, it is typically sold by third-party sellers in the US at a significantly higher price than the $40 Steelbook Edition.
About the Master and Commander 4K Steelbook Edition
The Limited Edition Steelbook for Master and Commander showcases impressive artwork, featuring Russell Crowe`s character, Captain Jack Aubrey, alongside his ship, the HMS Surprise, on the front cover. The back cover boasts a compass motif, complemented by a subtle maritime cartography background. Inside, the artwork depicts Aubrey gazing out at the ocean.
This release offers a native 4K remaster (2160p) derived from the original camera negative, enhanced with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos support. The two-disc set includes both 4K UHD and 1080p Blu-ray versions of the film, along with a voucher for the digital edition via Movies Anywhere.
Bonus features include deleted scenes, a historical trivia track, and a unique pop-up map illustrating Aubrey`s ship`s journey throughout the movie.
It`s worth noting that the original DVD release of Master and Commander included a broader array of special features that were never transferred to subsequent standard Blu-ray editions. This two-disc DVD edition has long been out of print and can be quite expensive to acquire now. Nevertheless, for enthusiasts looking for an extensive deep dive into the film, it serves as an excellent companion piece, containing several in-depth documentaries.
The Enduring Legacy of Master and Commander
Decades after its initial release, Master and Commander continues to impress. The film is a loose adaptation of Patrick O`Brien`s renowned historical fiction series, chronicling Captain Aubrey`s relentless pursuit of the formidable French privateer, Acheron, a vessel threatening Britain`s naval dominance. Aubrey, torn between his duty and his deep friendship with ship`s surgeon Dr. Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany), embarks on this challenging chase.
Similar to several other historical films from the early 2000s, Master and Commander achieved an elevated sense of authenticity. Naval warfare films were uncommon at the time, and this movie stood out for its period-accurate costumes and language. Filming notably took place on an actual ship, the HMS Rose, and a specially constructed full-scale replica housed within a massive tank at Baja Studios in Mexico.
Other Ridley Scott Films in 4K
Fans of Russell Crowe might also be interested in the Amazon-exclusive Gladiator 2-Movie Steelbook Collection, currently available for $68. Crowe starred in the original Gladiator (2000), while Paul Mescal takes the lead in the anticipated 2024 sequel. Both films were directed by Ridley Scott. Here`s a look at some of the Gladiator 4K Blu-ray editions available on Amazon:
- Gladiator 2-Movie Steelbook Collection — $68 | Amazon Exclusive
- Gladiator (Standard 4K Blu-ray) — $18.63
- Gladiator/Braveheart 2-Movie Collection (4K Blu-ray) — $25
- Gladiator II Steelbook Edition — $35
- Gladiator II (Standard 4K Blu-ray) — $30
Another notable Ridley Scott film to explore is Kingdom of Heaven, which has also received a recent 4K restoration. This Director`s Cut significantly expands on the theatrical version with a wealth of additional content. While the Steelbook Edition of Kingdom of Heaven`s Director`s Cut remains difficult to find in stock, a region-free 4K standard edition is available.
Set during the Crusades, Kingdom of Heaven follows Balian (Orlando Bloom) as he accompanies his father, Baron Godfrey (Liam Neeson), on their journey to Jerusalem, aiming to reclaim it from the forces of the Ayyubid Sultan Saladin.