Master And Commander Finally Sails Onto 4K Blu-Ray With Stylish Steelbook

In 2003, viewers were welcomed to maritime combat zones with the debut of Master and Commander: Far Side of the World. Showcasing an ensemble cast spearheaded by Russell Crowe, the film became extremely popular due to its representation of naval encounters during the Napoleonic Wars and outstanding performances. The film is finally making its 4K debut—and comes with an eye-catching steelbook packaging as well—and you can reserve your copy now for $40 ahead of its August 5 release. This forthcoming version also includes the movie on a standard Blu-ray disc alongside a digital streaming code.

It’s notable that the DVD version of Master and Commander provided a far superior selection of special features, which never transitioned to previous standard Blu-ray releases of the film. That two-disc DVD format has been unavailable for a considerable time now, and while there are still copies obtainable, it can be costly. Nonetheless, if you genuinely wish to explore Master and Commander, it serves as an excellent supplemental piece due to its several detailed documentaries.

Master and Commander has aged remarkably well in the years that have passed since its initial release. The film loosely adapts the epic historical fiction series authored by English writer Patrick O’Brien, narrating the tale of Captain Aubrey and his pursuit of a formidable French warship—the privateer Acheron—that jeopardizes Britain’s maritime dominance. Torn between obligation and his bond with the ship’s doctor Dr. Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany), Aubrey relentlessly pursues the Acheron.

Similar to several other historical films released in the early 2000s, Master and Commander exuded an authenticity that helped enhance its appeal. Naval warfare films were relatively uncommon at that time, and this feature presented historically accurate costumes and dialogue. The filming occurred aboard an actual vessel—the HMS Rose—and a specially constructed full-scale replica that was buoyed within a massive tank at Baja Studios in Mexico.

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Speaking of Russell Crowe, an Amazon-exclusive Gladiator 2-Movie Steelbook Collection debuted in May and is available for $68. Crowe acted in the original Gladiator (2000), while Paul Mescal took the lead in the anticipated 2024 sequel. Both films were helmed by Ridley Scott. Here’s a brief summary of the 4K Blu-ray editions of Gladiator and Gladiator II that can be found at Amazon.

• Gladiator 2-Movie Steelbook Collection — $68 | Amazon Exclusive
• Gladiator — $15.66 ($26)
• Gladiator/Braveheart 2-Movie Collection — $25 ($34)
• Gladiator II — $17.32 ($38)
• Gladiator II Steelbook Edition — $35

Another excellent Ridley Scott film to check out is Kingdom of Heaven, which has recently undergone a 4K restoration. This is the Director’s Cut that comprises many additional features, greatly enhancing several scenes that didn’t make it to the theatrical version. Unfortunately, the Steelbook Edition of Kingdom of Heaven’s Director’s Cut has been challenging to locate, but you can purchase a region-free 4K standard edition.

Set during the Crusades, Kingdom of Heaven narrates Balian’s journey (Orlando Bloom) as he joins his father, Baron Godfrey (Liam Neeson), on their expedition to Jerusalem to reclaim it from the forces of the Ayyubid Sultan Saladin.

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