#3: Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

Starring Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany
Directed by Peter Weir

Anyone who says this movie is boring obviously wasn’t paying attention. There’s action and danger enough to satisfy any movie lover.

Based upon the Aubrey-Maturin novels by Patrick O’Brian, Master and Commander: The Far Side of World takes place during the Napoleonic Wars. The film follows Captain Jack Aubrey and Dr. Stephen Maturin of the H.M.S. Surprise and their quest to capture and “take a prize” the elusive French vessel Acheron. Through the journey, they must endure deadly storms, maddening doldrums and try to stay alive, for while they hunt the Acheron, likewise they are hunted!

It’s hard for me to describe how wonderful this movie is. If I had to pick one word why it’s so amazing, it’d have to be “detail.” Director Peter Weir went all out in describing life on a ship during the Napoleonic Wars, showing how difficult life was for crewmen crammed at close quarters, how important rank and order were aboard the vessel, and how dangerous naval warfare could be.

The detail becomes even more amazing if you’ve read the Aubrey-Maturin novels. If Peter Weir didn’t read the 20-book series, then he obviously had a well-read informant; different instances from all the novels were carefully chosen and placed into the script. They ranged from certain foods the grumbling cook Killick served, to the weevils joke, to a letter from Jack’s love, to a heartfelt story by Jack about the famous Lord Nelson. Characters that were not necessarily in the 10th novel, entitled The Far Side of the World appeared, such as Mr. Lamb, the carpenter. And that brain surgery that Dr. Maturin performed? That was from the first book in the series.

Russell Crowe, did an excellent job portraying “Lucky” Jack Aubrey and Dr. Maturin. Crowe nailed Aubrey's love for the navy and jovial but stubborn attitude, while Bettany likewise hit Maturin's scientific, rather awkward nature spot on. The friendship between the two men was very close one, and although it was tried several times, the two of them never failed to reconcile.

Two more things I would like to point out concerns sound. Firstly, the ambient sound in this moving is absolutely fantastic. I could listen to the title screen on the DVD for hours by itself, hearing the creaking of the ships, the chime of the watch bell and the waves lapping against the hull. Secondly, the music. Iva Davies, Christopher Gordon and Richard Tognetti did a great job not only composing music that suited the nautical theme perfectly, but choosing classical pieces of the time period, such as one of my favorite holiday pieces, the Christmas concerto by Corelli, and A Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis by Ralph Vaughn Williams. Music can make or break a movie, and this music definitely added an authenticity that can’t be beat.
I think I’ve gone on long enough about this movie - make no mistake, I could go on longer. But I think you should see what all the fuss is about and watch it yourself. Do yourself favor and read the books, too.

Favorite Quotes:
“Do you not know that in the service, one must always choose the lesser of two weevils?”
“To wives and sweethearts…may they never meet.”
“I know it sounds absurd, and were it from another man, you'd cry out "Oh, what pitiful stuff" and dismiss it as mere enthusiasm. But with Nelson... you felt your heart glow.”

#2: The Big Country (1958)

Starring Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Charlton Heston, Burl Ives
Directed by William Wyler

The Big Country is not your typical Western. Are there gunfights? Yes. But there’s none of this “get yer stinkin’ carcass outta town or we’re gonna meet at high noon and kill each other” stuff.

Retired sea captain Gregory Peck stars in The Big Country as Jim McKay, a man from New England who’s come out west to marry his fiancée Pat Terrill (Carroll Baker) and meet her father, “the Major.” Because of his values and approach to dealing with difficult situations, McKay puzzles the ranchers and earns only dislike from some of them, including the foreman Steve Leech (Charlton Heston). He soon finds that his fiancee isn’t the girl he remembered, and also finds himself in the midst of a civil war between the Terrills and a neighboring ranch owned by the rough-natured Hannassey clan. The feud is over a watering hole owned by Julie Maragon (Jean Simmons), and both the Terrills and the Hannasseys will do anything to get their hands on it.

This movie, like Ben-Hur, was directed by William Wyler, and is the reason he picked Charlton Heston for the lead role of the epic 1959 film. I can honestly say I have never seen a movie by Wyler that I didn’t like. His creativity, attention to detail and perhaps unconventional directing methods make any of his films a treat to watch. He employed several of what I call “unconventional directing methods” in Ben-Hur, and also some in The Big Country. One such instance was whenhe gave Charlton Heston and Carroll Baker conflicting instructions - he told Heston to hold on to Baker, and make sure she couldn’t get away, and told Baker to do anything she could to get away from Heston. The result was a very realistic struggle.

I’m sure I’ll say it again in this blog somewhere, but I love Gregory Peck. To me, he is the epitome of classy Hollywood actors of a bygone era. He has such a demanding presence on film, and a grace, strength and dignity that can’t ignored.

Favorite Quotes:
“That’s soup aint it.”
“You all hate the major!”
“You want me pa?” “Before you was born I did.”
“You’re the lostest looking thing I’ve seen in ten years!”
“Go ahead and pick out any little spot that suits ya.”

#1: Ben-Hur (1959)

Starring Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd
Directed by William Wyler

How do you summarize Ben-Hur? It’s a difficult thing to accomplish. Ben-Hur is so epic a film - it was the first to ever win 11 Oscars, and it deserved every one. Based on a novel by Lew Wallace, a Civil War Union General, it was adapted to film by director William Wyler. This movie is number one in my book because of the amazing direction, acting and the powerful message of forgiveness the story conveys. Not to mention one of the most amazing chariot race scenes I’ve ever seen in my life.

Ben-Hur tells the epic story of a Jewish prince named Judah Ben-Hur living in the 1st century who is reunited with his childhood friend Messala. Messala is appointed the commanding officer of the Roman legions in Jerusalem, and when Judah refuses to give him names of Jews who oppose Roman rule, the friendship quickly dissolves. Judah, his mother, and sister are arrested for a crime they did not commit, and Judah is sent to the galleys. As years pass, he stays alive to free his mother and sister and seeks revenge upon his one-time friend.

The direction by William Wyler is amazing. Such small things as Judah tripping over a broken piece of pottery to convey the emptiness of a house and the truly-surprised jump of a guard at Messala’s command give this movie a great sense of authenticity and realism.

I can’t imagine any other actor besides Charlton Heston as Judah Ben-Hur. The character portrays a larger-than-life role, and Charlton Heston nails it. I remember hearing something about the movie “True Lies,” in which Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a spy who keeps his job secret from his family. The director and casting crew needed someone to play Arnold’s boss, someone who could possibly intimidate the movie star body-builder, and chose Charlton Heston.


And talk about a great villain. You thought this guy was your friend, and he sends you off to be a galley slave for three years. Messala not only delivers his cruel lines, but always manages to get that last dig in. “Look for them in the valley of the Lepers…if you can recognize them!”

Favorite Quotes:
“He says he’s a prince-” “Then treat him like one!”
“You knew? …you are evil!”
“…he is power! Real power on Earth!”
“Down Eros, up Mars!”

About this Blog

In this blog, I will be telling you about my top 100 favorite movies of all time, and why I chose them to be on my list. I grouped them loosely into ten groups of ten. This means that #1-10 are more highly regarded than #11-20, though I may not necessarily like #6 better than #8, or #43 better than #44.

I will tell you some facts about the movie - when it was made, who starred in it, who directed it - and the basic plot. Then I will discuss what makes me love it so much, and give you a couple of quotes I like to say around the house to friends and family.

Now this was hard list to come up with - how could I pick my favorite movies? I defined a favorite movie as one that, every time I see it on television, I HAVE to tune in. These are the kind of movies that I quote around my house all the time with my family - just in passing, or sparked by a situation or conversation.

I hope you enjoy this blog, and hope that if you haven't seen them, my reasoning will cause you to make some popcorn and watch one or all of my top 100 Movies.