Leadership Ideas from a Movie: You’ll Never Guess Which One

Peace and Freedom ^ | October 16, 2006 | John E. Carey

[John Carey]

A film that came and went in 2003 deserves another viewing if you saw it then and if you missed it you might pick it up for a family viewing. The film “Master and Commander” with Russell Crowe gives new insight into the at-sea culture of 1805 Britain; and sadly, speaks volumes about the degenerated world we occupy in 21st century America. “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” strikes viewers as an old-fashioned sea saga that few thought Hollywood could still produce. This is not just a war movie but a lesson in leadership, teamwork and character.

Most movies today offer us pabulum and fantasy. They don’t encourage us to greater good but instead emphasize the darker side of human conduct. Drug abuse, homosexuality and fantasy often fill the screen. Computer graphics so sophisticated they remove us from reality have enthralled Hollywood and thrilled viewers. Many of our “leading men” are pretty-boy weak sisters who may have a certain appeal to 14-year-old girls but have none of the raw manliness and power of John Wayne. Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Keanu Reeves come to mind, but they are not alone.

It seems Hollywood and television producers want us to worship the gay, lighthearted and without-depth in our culture today. Powerful men are largely taboo.

[mainepatsfan]

An excellent movie.

[camle]

a great movie. if you like this genre, don't forget the new "Horatio Hornblower" series starring Ioan Greunfeld (or however you spell it)

[Delta 21]

John Wayne. Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Keanu Reeves

3 of these things are not like the other, 3 of the things are kinda the same. Can you guess which three do not belong here?

[Incorrigible]

Ha! Even Keanu is a bit of a stretch!

[Hegemony Cricket]

Hold the phone...

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

Ian's Welsh last name is spelled Griffith to most of the English speaking world. It is one of the few Welsh names that survived the English takeover of the Welsh language. He uses the old Welsh version "Gruffudd."

[camle]

ah! thank you for correcting me. The first time I saw one of these pics, I had doubts about his being cast as HH. After contemplating, and watching his performances, I came to beleive that he is underappreciated and is splendid for the part.

[jalisco555]

Pretty good movie, great books.

[jalisco555]

He never gives up and he wouldn’t know the meaning of the phrases “striking the colors” or “backing down.”

IIRC, in the book Master and Commander Jack Aubry did just that, albeit in the face of overwhelming force.

[blau993]

Go to any service academy football game and watch a thousand or more young Jack Aubreys march into the stadium. Concepts such as duty, honor, teamwork and leadership are still alive and well at some places in our society.

[battlegearboat]

Here! Here!

Go Navy! Beat Army!

[Moonman62]

George Washington was also pretty good at the strategic retreat.

[jalisco555]

George Washington was also pretty good at the strategic retreat.

LOL, practice makes perfect. Washington did that a lot. But it turned out OK in the end.

[Chewie84]

That was a pretty good film. Even though they kind of differed from the source material (In the original book, they were fighting Americans in the War of 1812, in the movie, they're fighting the French in the early Napoleonic Wars), the acting was great, especially from Crowe and that little boy who suffers such a tragic injury in the beginning (I'm not giving anything away), and it did have a good story.

[Clioman]

There was a brief mention in an enthusiast magazine [for the life of me, can't remember the title, but it's been within the last few months] to the effect that Russell Crowe recently paid a quiet 'look-see' visit to the sailing ship used to film the movie. The ship's museum staff were delighted to give him a tour, said the article, and in the process he is reported to have told them that there is a sequel in the works. Anybody else heard this?

[Dixie Yooper]

John Wayne. Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Keanu Reeves 3 of these things are not like the other, 3 of the things are kinda the same. Can you guess which three do not belong here?

That's easy, John Wayne, Brad Pitt and Keanu were/are good at memorizing lines and repeating them on cue. Leonardo DiCaprio is the only one who is a great actor, and getting better with each movie.

[jalisco555]

That was a pretty good film. Even though they kind of differed from the source material (In the original book, they were fighting Americans in the War of 1812, in the movie, they're fighting the French in the early Napoleonic Wars), the acting was great, especially from Crowe and that little boy who suffers such a tragic injury in the beginning (I'm not giving anything away), and it did have a good story.

They changed the story for commercial reasons, since a movie with Americans as the enemy wouldn't be very popular here (the sentiment of many in Hollywood notwithstanding) and the French are perfect bad guys. And yes, the kid was very good. He's also good in the HBO series Rome, where he plays Octavian (the future Augustus).

[jalisco555]

Leonardo DiCaprio is the only one who is a great actor, and getting better with each movie.

I'll second that. He's a real talent.

[Delta 21]

...extreme eye roll...