Director Peter Weir and star Russell Crowe have tried to make Master ring true for seafaring buffs, especially fans of Patrick O’Brian’s series of historical novels. I don’t belong to either group, but I’d rather be immersed in the history and jargon such enthusiasts demand than sit through a mindless spectacle of which no one demands anything. Even if this isn’t your cup of tea, you still get a trickle-down thrill from those who go nuts over it.
