Hardy har har:
How Nelson would have fared if he had been subject to modern health and safety regulations.
While we're talking tall-ships, there's something I've often wondered. Apart, that is, from why the toilet was at the front. You know, with the splash back, streaking, smearing, stench and all that. Anyhoo, I've always wondered whether or not modern day swabbies on say, New Endeavour, armed with their ipods, GPS's, fresh limes and toilet paper, are allowed to shimmy up into the mizzen-fore-top-royal-spankers. Well, are they?
Hello! Dropping in by way of Tim Blair...hailing from the US, Texas here...caught your comments per Master and Commander before the movie came out. Was wondering what your thoughts are since then? Were you disappointed? I thought Crowe did a fine job as Aubrey, although I probably percieve Jack to be a bit less gruff and serious when with Stephen...and Bettany got the personality of Maturin down if not the looks. I am a convert to the Patrick O'Brian books by way of the actor who played Bonden, however; and I know there has been universal disappointment with how Weir cast the coxswain.
Best regards!
Posted by: Sharon Ferguson | 02 November 2004 at 08:10
G'day, Sharon, surprised you'd remember a post from a year ago, but no doubt glad you did. Cheers.
Anyhoo, onto the film.
I though the film was fantastic. Doubtless Weir realised it's hopeless trying to get all the stuff from a novel into a film, so instead took as much detail from one or two condensed episodes. It was a wonderful looking film, great sound and soundtrack and the storyline he picked from the book tight as a drum with amazing detail.
My only quibble would be that he sought to deliver some of the music, I'm thinking here about the bit at the end, as some kind of rock and roll filmclip. Pretty trite.
I also think that having it set entirely at sea meant that Weir didn't delve too deeply into Maturin's character which is much more ruthless that displayed in the film.
And as I said before, the best bits from the books are those on land.
Hopefully if there's a sequel it will live up to the original, which, as it happens, I watched on DVD a few months later and sat through again without looking at the time or making one pause.
What was wrong with the coxwain?
Posted by: Tony.T | 02 November 2004 at 10:51