Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World 2003

In April 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars, H.M.S. Surprise, a British frigate, is under the command of Captain Jack Aubrey. Aubrey and the Surprises current orders are to track and capture or destroy a French privateer named Acheron. The Acheron is currently in the Atlantic off South America headed toward the Pacific in order to extend Napoleons reach of the wars. This task will be a difficult one as Aubrey quickly learns in an initial battle with the Acheron that it is a bigger and faster ship than the Surprise, which puts the Surprise at a disadvantage. Aubreys single-mindedness in this seemingly impossible pursuit puts him at odds with the Surprises doctor and naturalist, Stephen Maturin, who is also Aubreys most trusted advisor on board and closest friend. Facing other internal obstacles which have resulted in what they consider a string of bad luck, Aubrey ultimately uses Maturins scientific exploits to figure out a way to achieve his and the ships seemingly impossible goal.