The review discusses the film adaptation of Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey novels, highlighting the contrasting themes of power and violence versus friendship and the natural world. It also delves into the historical context and the author's personal connection to the series, comparing it to Jane Austen's perspectives.
The reviewer was deeply moved by Peter Weir's film adaptation of Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey novels, particularly the way it juxtaposes the brutal realities of naval power and violence with the more humane values of friendship and appreciation for the natural world. The film's realistic portrayal of naval life and its historical accuracy are praised, as are the performances of Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany. The reviewer also reflects on the historical context of the film and its release post-9/11, as well as the author's personal connection to the series. Additionally, the review touches on Jane Austen's views on naval heroes and the moral complexities of the time.
Quick quotes
The worship necessarily blind to reality of violence on behalf of securing power (and with it wealth, privilege, status, the ceremonies of admiration), and on the other, the realization this demands death, maiming, torture
It’s this: it combines utterly incompatible feelings (Robert Graves wrote about this regarding verse): on the one hand, the worship necessarily blind to reality of violence on behalf of securing power (and with it wealth, privilege, status, the ceremonies of admiration), and on the other, the realization this demands death, maiming, torture
I’ve also looked up on my Eighteenth Century World at Yahoo list to see if there was any commentary on the film in 2003 when I saw it with Yvette.