The film captures the essence of the Patrick O'Brien novels as well as being the most authentic piece of 19th century ship warfare action ever seen. The characterisation, storyline and pace are as good as cinema gets. The script explores leadership issues, relationships and duty in subtle ways, fitting in to the main theme of hunting down a French frigate more powerful and with much greater firepower. Zoology, entomology and baroque music are all featured, as well as surgery and philosophy. The scenes of rounding Cape Horn were filmed on a vessel doing just that that and bring home the everyday hazards that all seamen faced in the early 1800s. All rounded off with some memorable music, some of it actually played by Russell Crowe who learned the violin for the part. I can't praise the creativity, skill and special effects that went into this film too highly.
