Russell Crowe became one of the most sought-after action stars in Hollywood after his Oscar-winning role in Gladiator. One of his post-Gladiator roles was Captain Jack Aubrey in the epic war film, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. While the film received widespread critical acclaim, little was known about Crowe’s extraordinary commitment. Crowe refused to use a harness to climb atop a ship in one of the dangerous scenes in the film.
The Robin Hood actor’s brave stunt was revealed by his co-star and English actor, James D’Arcy. His revelation was in response to Hayley Atwell’s stories about Tom Cruise on the Mission: Impossible set.
Russell Crowe’s Brave Stunt In This War Film Will Earn Him Tom Cruise’s Respect
Hayley Atwell and James D’Arcy shared their set stories in a chat for Interview Magazine. Coming fresh from the Mission: Impossible 7 set, Atwell had a lot of stories to share about Tom Cruise, especially about his daring stunts. D’Arcy reminisced about his experience with another fearless actor in the 2003 war film, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.
The Broadchurch actor recalled Russell Crowe’s superhuman stunt on a ship for Master and Commander. In one of the scenes, Crowe and D’Arcy had to climb to the top of the ship and both actors were initially harnessed. However, the Thor: Love and Thunder actor, looking up at D’Arcy, asked him whether he could see the harness.
When D’Arcy replied yes, Crowe wanted to take off his harness to make the scene more authentic. But he couldn’t do it himself and asked D’Arcy to help him. The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. actor tried to convince him otherwise, but Crowe refused to climb the ship with a harness. D’Arcy revealed that he was worried about becoming an accomplice in Crowe’s death if he were to fall. D’Arcy shared with Atwell in the Interview Magazine:
“I’m taking his harness off at the top of this ship and I’m, by the way, harnessed in twice. He refused to climb it with a harness, so then he clipped in when he got there, was unable to take it off himself, and insisted that I took his harness off. And as I was doing it, I was thinking, if Russell falls off and dies, am I an accomplice in his death? Anyway, he didn’t.”
While Crowe’s stunt may have been unnecessary and potentially dangerous, it underscores Crowe’s commitment to his role. Despite its critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination, the film achieved only moderate success, grossing $211 million against a budget of $150 million.
The War Film Came During A Golden Period In Russell Crowe’s Career
The six-year stretch from 1997 to 2003 was a golden period for Russell Crowe. He earned three consecutive Oscar nominations for Best Actor for his roles in The Insider, Gladiator, and A Beautiful Mind. Crowe won the award for Gladiator in 2000 but lost to Kevin Spacey in 1999 and Denzel Washington in 2001.
Five of his films during this period earned the Best Picture nominations, out of which two won the Oscars. Crowe’s films, Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind, won Best Picture Oscars in consecutive years, earning him a record. His other nominated films included L.A. Confidential (1997), The Insider (1999), and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003).
Despite losing out on the Best Picture category, Master and Commander won the Oscars for Best Cinematography and Best Sound Editing. The film is now available for streaming on Prime Video.
