Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World 4K Ultra HD SteelBook

In, "Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World," when HMS Surprise is ambushed by a superior enemy vessel, Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) must confront the brutal challenges of war, the unforgiving sea, and the relentless pursuit across two oceans –– facing a choice betwween duty and loyalty, and a mission that could alter the fate of nations or destroy them all. Adapted from the tenth novel in Patrick O'Brien's "Aubrey/Maturin series. (Gary Reber)

Special features include seven deleted scenes (HD 24:20), historiical and geographic triviia track, search content, personal scene selections, pop-up map, theatrical trailer, Fox on Blu-ray and D-Box.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD Dolby Vision/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed on 35 mm Kodak Vision film using the Arriflex 35-III, Arriflex 435, Panavision Panaflex Gold II, Panavision Panaflex Lightweight, and Panavision Panaflex Platinum camera systems and sourced from a newly restored and remastered 4K master Digital Intermediate format. The setting is aboard the HMS Surprise and the surrounding sea and occasional island. The ship's interior scenes appear claustrophobic. Everything looks realistic. Russell Boyd's cinematography is excellent. Color fidelity exhibits natural hues, whether the sea, on the Galapagos Island or the ship's wooden structure and wood furnishings. Though hues are muted and drab at times. The outdoor Galapagos Island scene is the most scenic. Flesh tones appear naturally hued. HDR contrast is excellent. Back levels are deep. Shadow delineation is revealing of excellent depth, including the appearance of smoke from cannon or gunfire and storms and mist from weather events, White levels are well illuminated. Resolution is excellent. Facial features reveal complexion variants, skin pores, lines, sweat, beards and hair. Costumes appear realistic, such as the officers' black hats and uniforms and the raggy crew clothing. Ship exteriors and interiors are well defined as are object textures, such as ropes and sails. This is a well-crafted cinematic visual experience on the high seas. (Gary Reber)

The repurposed Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding and often with intense ocean disturbance and waves, and gunfire, with each event enhanced with powerful deep bass extension. Also during intense battle sequences the intensity of the ships' guns are explosive with transient bass accentuation. The hand-to-hand combat and all-around mayhem also sound intense with close-range gunfire and sword engagement. There also are quiet segments at see. The sea atmospherics and effects sound realistic. The interior segments below deck of the HMS Surprise sound convincing with the shuffling of men and the nightly dinner gatherings at the Captain's table. Foley sound effects sound realistic. The violin and cello playing and the orchestral score are nicely recorded. The orchestral music is spread wide and deep across the soundstage with extension to the surrounds. Surround envelopment is good, even during claustrophobic ship scenes. Dialogue at times, such as during a storm, is difficult to decipher but otherwise dialogue is intelligible, though ADR produced with challenging spatial integration.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of various atmospheric and sound effects such as haunting wind, sail flapping, cannon fire, ship and floorboards creaking, storm sounds, pounding waves, thunder and lightening, island birds, footsteps, mask crashes, musket fire and other effects that occur sporadically, instance of brief dialogue, and infrequent music passages. While far more could have been developed, this is a generally good treatment of the height layer.

This is a realistic sound holosonic® spherical surround portrayal of the brutal challenges of war and life on a all-wooden vessel that delivers realistic sound elements. (Gary Reber)