Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		4.0

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman July 31, 2025

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World was released early enough in the Blu-ray era that it just missed what might be comically referred to as our "Hot 200", i.e., the first 200 titles entered into our database. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World made it in the 201st position, and the site's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World Blu-ray review appeared way (way) back in 2008. Fans of this weirdly lesser remembered epic have therefore probably been jonesin' for an update, and in that regard, this 4K release in SteelBook packaging may both delight and disappoint. The 4K UHD presentation looks and sounds fantastic, but in what I might jokingly call Disney and 20th Century Productions pulling a "Lionsgate", the 1080 disc included in this release certainly appears to be the same old release we reviewed in 2008, and perhaps even more distressingly for those now long wanting to retire their ancient DVD release (which had copious supplements), the 4K UHD disc does not offer any bonus material of any kind, leaving supplemental content to the pretty paltry assortment originally offered (and of course duplicated here) on 1080 disc.

While I'm frankly not that familiar with the reviewer who assessed the 1080 release of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World since he had already come and gone by the time I joined the site in 2009, those interested will find a plot summary, reaction to the technical presentation, and a list of supplements in the above linked review.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots 1 through 5 are sourced from the 1080 disc in this package. I frankly try to shy away from screenshots sourced directly from a 4K disc in any given release since those require downscaling to 1080 and SDR by necessity, but in this case the 1080 disc is so old that I've included five screenshots from the 4K UHD disc in positions 6 through 10. The downscaling process can pretty seriously tweak color space in particular, and despite their age, the screenshots from the 1080 disc probably offer a more accurate representation of the palette. In my recurring mantra of "different reviewers means different opinions" my 1080 score is slightly lower than the original review, as 20/20 hindsight probably gives a bit of perspective now on what a 2008 presentation looked like vs. a more contemporary transfer.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Disney / Buena Vista, 20th Century Productions and Universal (just for good measure), with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 2.40:1. Information on this 4K version is actually kind of sparse, at least from what I've been able to find online, and while I haven't been able to find specifics, this new 4K version was evidently culled from "original film elements" (can't you just tell us if it's a negative or IP?) and evidently "newly restored and remastered" at least relatively recently. One of the film's two Academy Award wins was for its often stunning cinematography, and this 4K UHD disc offers a really thrilling viewing experience that elevates fine detail levels particularly well, especially on some of the hardscrabble fabrics various characters wear (keep an eye on hats and uniforms especially). Rather interestingly and perhaps due to the intentionally kind of muted and even drab at times palette, the Dolby Vision / HDR grades may arguably add more in terms of shadow detail than amazing new highlights of actual colors. For just one early example, look at the corners of the frame in the very opening below decks sequence and there's some noticeable new information peeking out through the darkness. Even without consistently amazing hues, there is nonetheless some really appealing if kind of understandably moody renderings of the misty grays that suffuse backgrounds (the first half hour or so is notable for how shrouded it is). Even in some of the really brightly lit moments, as in some of the Galapagos Island material, skies tend to be on the white side rather than bright blue, but there are definitely bright pops of color, and a few interstitial bursts, as in some memorable if brief uses of bright orange or yellow, do have considerable pop in this version. The outdoor island material is probably understandably some of the most scenic in the film. Compression really encounters no problems, which is remarkable considering not just grain but the consistent on screen appearance of smoke from cannon or gunfire and weather events like storms or mist.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World features a nicely expressive Dolby Atmos mix which announces its overhead activity from the get go with the haunting wind noises that open the film. A lot of the outdoor material (which is the bulk of the film, really) offers consistent engagement of all of the surround channels for really convincing and immersive ambient environmental effects. Even some of the interior, claustrophobic ship scenes can offer really good surround activity, including clear emanations from the Atmos speakers in terms of things like weary floorboards creaking and the like. The fantastic score by Ira Davies (of Icehouse!), Christopher Gordon and Richard Tognetti is also spaciously offered throughout. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly. Optional English, French and Spanish subtitles are available.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

As mentioned above, the 4K UHD disc has no supplemental content. The recycled 1080 disc in this package has the following bonus items, some of which are definitely on the "quaint" side:

• Deleted Scenes (HD; 24:20)


• Historical and Geographical Trivia Track


• Search Content is a frankly kind of bizarre tool that lets you jump to timecodes where various terms are used.


• Personal Scene Selections is another weird one, offering a way to kind of bookmark scenes and then play them in sequence, kind of like a video jukebox.


• Pop Up Map allows you to see the geographic location of any given scene. So useful.


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:44)


• D Box accessibility. Remember that?

Trailers for other early Fox Blu-ray releases are also included. A digital copy is enclosed.

The SteelBook is like vast swaths of the film rather dark, with a blue-black color scheme in the background featuring a what Disney's PR sheet calls "a richly detailed compass rose and a bold illustration of Captain Jack Aubrey" on the outer panels, and a "sweeping ocean vista with Russell Crowe poised against stormy seas" on the interior panels. A J-card wraps around the SteelBook.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This is frankly kind of a "glass half full / glass half empty" release. The 4K presentation is often stellar and the SteelBook packaging very handsome, but I have no doubt that fans of this film are going to be at least passingly distressed that none of the (rather excellent) supplements on the way old DVD release have yet to make to a high definition release (even in standard def). That one perhaps more than niggling qualm aside, Recommended.