10 Best Naval War Films You Need To See

10. Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World

To start off the list, we have Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, a truly excellent effort from Peter Weir that offers an unparalleled glimpse into the Napoleonic Wars.

We follow British Captain Jack Aubrey (played by Russel Crowe) and the crew of the HMS Surprise as they're ordered to track down and eliminate the French privateer Archeron off the coasts of South America. While the central protagonist may be fictional, the action that unfolds comes closer to the real thing than any other film in its sub-genre.

Through of series of unconventional tactics and clever thinking, Aubrey and his men are able to outwit and defeat their French opponents time and time again. That's the film's greatest strength; not only are the battle scenes a thrill to watch, but the lives of the sailors at sea brilliantly conveyed through a collection of great performances and standout production design.

Of all the movies to depict naval warfare, Master and Commander could be considered the best. It's absolutely relentless in its commitment to authenticity and the crew of sailors we follow boasts great camaraderie and likeability. Aside from the more recent "In the Heart of the Sea", we haven't seen many films about classical naval warfare today.