MovieChat Forums > Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) Discussion > Why include the French Captain lying abo...

Why include the French Captain lying about being the doctor?

posted 8 years ago by Whiskyfeet
8 replies | jump to latest

I feel like this was useless in the movie. It also kind of screwed up the pace of the ending.

I was under the imoression that naval warfare was highly honorable. With the enemies respecting one another, etc

When the French captain lied and hid just to save his skin the whole "honor" thing went out the window. And Aubrey didn't care too much because he just kinda said, "ah well, i guess we should just escort them in" then continued playing his violin.

I would think an act like that would be taken very serious and it would be a dire situation.

[–] syntinen 8 years ago

It's rather a low trick, but not actually contrary to the laws of war as - for example - firing while still carrying false colours would be. And attitudes varied; the French army and navy, having two decades ago slung out most of their aristocratic officers and their chivalric values along with them, were inclined to a slightly more utilitarian outlook in these matters.

You also need to bear in mind that the Acheron was a privateer, not a naval vessel. While privateering was legal - captured privateersmen weren't simply strung up on capture, as international maritime law and custom held that pirates could and indeed should be - it was purely commercial activity, and you didn't necessarily expect honour from a privateer. In the books, at one point Jack is disgraced and can't get a naval command, so he resorts to commanding a privateer vessel, just to earn a crust and stay in his profession. This wasn't an unusual recourse for naval officers of the time; but it was humiliating all the same - you wouldn't want to meet an officer of your own rank commanding a King's ship while you were commanding a privateer.

And yes, it is certainly a potentially dire situation: which is why Jack instantly orders a change of course to deal with it, and Stephen doesn't even dream of protesting about being once again thwarted in his scientific activities. The point is precisely to show us that, once they are doing everything that can possibly be done to save the situation, they don't sit about chewing their fingernails and fretting, but get back to their music.

[–] Whiskyfeet 8 years ago

See I always kind of overlook the fact that it was a privateer ship. It's hard to imagine a ship that advanced and organized being non-navy established. I think this is the most logical reason. Privateers were more or less mercenaries so who knows how honorable or dishonorable they really were, right?

Thanks for the information, I appreciate any knowledge on this subject because it's pretty damn interesting how things worked back then

[–] hitking 7 years ago

In the book/s wasn't the Acheron actually an American ship?

[–] syntinen 7 years ago

Yes, she was - the USS Norfolk. This was changed partly because the producers reckoned American audiences couldn't tolerate a film in which America was the enemy, but also because the War of 1812 is no much less well known than the Napoleonic wars, even in the USA. that they'd have to halt the action for a long boring explanation of it.

[–] qweentana 8 years ago

1- HMS Surprise hid in the fog.
2- HMS Surprise disguised as a small boat and hid in the night.
3- HMS Surprise disguised as a whaler (with a false flag and all)
4- The French captain disguised as a doctor.

What we learn here is that war isn't about honor, it's about being smart and defeating your enemy any way you can.
Like the phasmid.

[–] Whiskyfeet 8 years ago

Yes, I've read into the various forms of deception that were used. Operating a ship under a false guise wasn't considered dishonorable as long as you showed your colors before initiating combat (as syntinen posted earlier as well). Now, if this was actually deemed dishonorable then I would absolutely understand if the French captain thought, "well if my enemy is going to deceive me in such a way to win this battle then I have no qualms faking my own death."

As for all the other tactics that Aubrey used throughout the film, that was just tactical seamanship at its best.

I always just get a bit thrown at the French captain pulling that stunt because throughout the film it seems we're constantly reminded of how much Aubrey respects naval combat and the responsibilies that come with being a captain. Also several times both he and some of his officers acknowledge how skillful the captain of the Acheron is.

I absolutely love this movie, it is one of my all time favorites. I just think that part was kind of strange to include at the end of such an epic and emotionally driven story.

Having said all that, I wish we could have gotten another film based on these books. It really sucks that todays audience only understands superhero movies. I was born in the wrong era.

[–] independent-tek 7 years ago

Immediate action in a ship of sail is quite different than a motorized vessel. He asked Moffat to beat to quarters, and then could do nothing until they caught up with Acheron.
It would probably take a couple of hours so playing the violin was as good as anything else.
The whole captain playing doctor was included to show that the "needs of the service" were going to thwart Maturin once again.
You have to remember that what French crew were left alive were being held below deck but probably outnumbered the prize crew that was sailing her and could be overpowered and the ship retaken by the French.
The pumps don't work 'cause the Vandals stole the handles
Bob Dylan

[–] liscarkat (16530) 4 years ago

Because it made the end more interesting, and because it's in one of the books.