As Aubrey plans to buy him time to repair his vessel before resuming the pursuit, we are transported to a magical Galapagos. For several minutes on the island, the movie almost comes to a halt, as the director and his crew seemed paralysed by the stark beauty. But they quietly spring a surprise that pushes the film towards its climax.

Following a rousing climax in which deception is used for a brilliant purpose, Aubrey and Maturin begin to mend their relationship. Though the movie has no romance like in many other seafaring films, the friendship between these two men provides plenty of drama, not to forget some humour at the end. The scene where the two men spontaneously play musical instruments provides one of the film's lighter and charming moments.

(Left-Right: Paul Bettany, director Peter Weir and Russell Crowe at the Los Angeles premiere of the film.)

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

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