The rating is too low

This movie deserves a higher rating than 7,4 - it's one of those movies that you can watch over and over again, matures like fine wine. The acting is really excellent, each actor delivers a believable and authentic performance and Russell is simply outstanding. The drama is about human nature good or bad, hope and despair, honour, duty, sacrifice, pushing man's limits to the extreme, fulfill your goals even if it means paying the highest price. A Master and Commander who is one of a kind, the kind that has the capacity to change the course of history, who does NOT compromise or takes the easy way out. The consequences of such leadership are described in a nuanced manner, not black or white and we can judge for ourselves. I love the humoristic undertone which creates a perfect balance between the very sad and more optimistic scenes.