Greater than 22 years after Grasp and Commander: The Far Facet of the World hit theaters, the Peter Weir basic is making waves. Bodily media fanatics have been clamoring for a 4K Blu-ray launch of the movie for years, in order that they had been overjoyed when Disney lastly dropped anchor and introduced a limited-edition model of the cult basic, coming to the format on Aug. 5 within the U.S. and Sept. 8 within the U.Okay. Nevertheless, the 4K model of the 2003 epic interval war-drama, starring Russell Crowe as Jack Aubrey, a captain within the Royal Navy, proved to be a extremely sought-after disc and immediately offered out, main eBay scalpers to promote it for a premium.
The 4K Blu-ray launch popped up for pre-order on Amazon and Walmart in America, promising a newly restored and remastered model of the movie with Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR and Atmos audio (together with a normal Blu-ray), packaged inside a collectible steelbook, with Crowe’s character wielding a sword on the entrance cowl — as pictured beneath. Nevertheless, it acquired snapped up fairly shortly and immediately fell sufferer to scalpers, because it went out and in of inventory earlier than and after its launch date, making it troublesome for individuals to get their fingers on it.
The 4K launch of Grasp and Commander: The Far Facet of the World was priced at $40, however because of its extraordinarily excessive demand and shortage, sellers at the moment are attempting to flog it for greater than twice the retail value. 404 Media sounded the horn on the resellers, noting that followers of the naval epic now face restricted choices to buy the movie in its Extremely HD format. Remap Radio’s Robert Zacny was reportedly debating paying $140 for a duplicate of the 4K steelbook, although most of the eBay listings have not fairly reached these dizzying heights (but).
Curiously, U.Okay. collectors aren’t dealing with the identical downside. The 4K Blu-ray steelbook of Grasp and Commander: The Far Facet of the World remains to be at the moment obtainable for pre-order at a number of retailers, together with Amazon, HMV, and Zavvi. What’s extra, there’s additionally a normal 4K Blu-ray package deal obtainable alongside the premium limited-edition model. Although judging by its recognition in different markets, the discs would possibly begin promoting out as we edge nearer to its September launch date. We are able to solely hope that there are plans for restocks if that occurs.
Why Is ‘Grasp and Commander’ So Standard?
Grasp and Commander: The Far Facet of the World was a average success upon its launch in 2003, grossing $212 million on the worldwide field workplace and recouping its reported $150 million funds. It additionally garnered consideration through the awards season, accruing 10 Academy Award nominations, together with Finest Image and Finest Director. Whereas it did not win in these two classes, it’s extensively acclaimed and the rationale for that’s largely all the way down to its historic accuracy and trustworthy adaptation of the Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey–Maturin sequence.
The movie goals to seize the essence of the books, significantly the friendship between Captain Jack Aubrey and Dr. Stephen Maturin, portrayed by Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany within the big-screen model of the story. Per the synopsis, the 2 are ordered to “seize a robust French vessel off the South American coast. Although Napoleon is successful the battle and the boys and their crew face an onslaught of obstacles, together with their very own inner battles, ‘Fortunate Jack’ is set that nothing will cease the Shock from finishing its mission.”
Regardless of its recognition, Grasp and Commander: The Far Facet of the World didn’t set sail as a franchise. Nevertheless, hypothesis has arisen in more moderen years relating to the event of a prequel movie. The groups engaged on the long-gestating oceanic epic would possibly need to begin shifting at a price of knots, now that the movie has renewed curiosity, because of its bodily media launch. It definitely proves that there’s nonetheless an viewers who might wish to see a brand new journey with a younger Jack Aubrey, maybe throughout his first command aboard a ship.