The Making of "Master and Commander" : The "Far Side of the World"

The world of Patrick O'Brian is to be brought to life by Hollywood with a depth of imagination and faithfulness to the spirit of the books matched only in scope by its budget and historical attention to detail.

Based on the early novels in the Aubrey - Maturin series, this film brings the high seas to the silver screen with the excitement and vivacity of an O'Brian book, and the illustrated companion to the film aims to showcase the same high production standards and imagination as the film itself. Drawing on his access to the film set, Tom McGregor weave together the story of how the world of O'Brian's books - with its seafaring, swashbuckling adventures, highly drawn characterization and elements of romance and intrigue - was brought to life by director Peter Weir.