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MASTER & COMMANDER
The Far Side of the World
Miramax, Universal,
20th Century Fox
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Theme:
Hold Fast
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Insights
There are two pieces of information given in the
opening scenes of Master & Commander that are
essential for an understanding of the deeper truths revealed
in this film. First, we are told that Napoleon is
Master of Europe, and that the oceans have become the
battlefields. This movie will be about battle; about warfare
against an all-consuming power. Second, we are given
the facts about the HMS Surprise. She carries 28 guns
and 197 souls. It does not say men, nor does it say
lives; it says souls. This places the movie in the
context of the supernatural or spiritual realm. This
film is mythical1
in nature, and to understand it, one must look through it,
not at it. There is a much larger story being told
here; one that is eternal as well as historical.
The Antagonists
Historical: Lord Nelson
and Napoleon
Eternal: The Lord Jesus Christ and the anti-christ
Notice the awe and reverence the men have for Lord Nelson.
Jack Aubrey is the one who has served under him. He
has actually heard his words. Jack relates the anecdote and
says, "With any other man absurd, but with Nelson, you felt
your heart glow."
(Luke
24:32).
The
Battlefields
Historical: The oceans
Eternal: The far side of the world.
Beyond Cape Horn to the Pacific and the Enchanted Isles is
as far from England as Earth is from Heaven.
The Ships
Historical: HMS Surprise - a fine sea bird with a
female figurehead. The Acheron -- a frigate with an
impenetrable hull and a dragon for a figurehead.
Eternal: The dragon is out to destroy the woman and
her offspring (Revelation
12:1-4).
The Souls
Historical: The Master/Commander of the Surprise, Jack
Aubrey and his crew
Eternal: A true faith community; the very picture of
what a fellowship ought to be. The Surprise is female
in gender (as is the Church) with each member of her crew
essential for the functioning of the ship (Body) as a whole.
The Virtues
There are many examples of moral excellence in this film.
Indeed what places it in historical context more than the
date, 1805, or the costumes and ship design (pre-modern) are
the virtues demonstrated by the Captain and crew. The
Post-modern world is on "the far side of the world", having
passed through the Modern Era, ending up in the uncharted
waters of moral relativism. In such a place the
following virtues seem foreign and archaic.
| Courage |
Captain to crew: "Hold position, courage
now, pull together men." |
| Bravery |
Doctor to Lord Blakeney: "Never
have I seen a braver patient." |
| Discipline |
A crew that is well trained and well
prepared for sailing and warfare. |
| Obedience |
To those in authority over them,
including a thirteen year-old Lord, any insubordination
is swiftly dealt with, "For without respect, discipline
goes by the board." |
| Fellowship |
Around the Captain's table: A great
picture of what fellowship means. |
| Friendship |
At the heart of the movie are the
friendships between the Captain, the Doctor, Lord
Blakeney, and Peter Calamy. |
| Loyalty |
The crew follows the Captain anywhere.
Having faith in him, they will all fight, "For England,
for Home, and for the Prize". |
| Sacrifice |
W. Warley: A life sacrificed, so
that others might live. |
| Repentance |
The Captain's repentance for himself and
the crew over the suicide of Mr. Hollom is what brings
the fresh wind and the words, "God be praised". |
The Prophet
A grizzled, old tar with "Hold
Fast" tattooed on his hands functions like an Old Testament
prophet, quoting the Scripture from the books of Job and
Jonah. The words "Hold Fast" are the main theme of the
movie, and they are Biblical words as well (Deuteronomy
11:22;
Isaiah 42:1;
I Corinthians 15:2).
The Jonah
In the Bible, the Prophet Jonah disobeyed God's command to
go to Nineveh. It is Mr. Hollom's fear and
disobedience that causes the crew to label him a Jonah.
Notice he is never part of the
crew or part
of the fellowship. It is this separation that leads to
the ultimate separation called death.
Conclusion
The movie begins
with battle and souls and ends with a service for the souls
who have died in battle. After reciting the Lord's Prayer,
the bodies are committed to the sea to await the
Resurrection when the sea will give up the dead through the
Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation
20:13). He is the true Master and Commander.
Notes:
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The word "mythical"
is used here in the sense of giving us a glimpse of
something eternal. "Myths are first of all
stories; stories which confront us with something
transcendent and eternal...a means by which the eternal
expresses itself in time." Rolland Hein, Waking
The Dead by John Eldridge
Waking the Dead by John Eldredge is an excellent
book for a discussion of mythic reality.
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