Finally saw it last night with a couple of other stalwart fans of the books, and one of us (not me) was pissed off at the liberties with the book, and the other two enjoyed it immensely (including me). I think it was beautifully, beautifully filmed, and really captured what it was like to be at sea in rough weather (I sailed on brigantines as a teenager, and it brought it all back). You really get plunged into the atmosphere. The silences are particularly well handled, the nights at sea.

I did think that the characterization of Maturin was a shame -- as said above, he should be the opposite of Aubrey -- thin, black complexioned, ill-favoured, messy, etc. I also missed the women (especially Diana, sigh). I can't see how it would have hurt the film to have had 3 minutes of "sending the lads off" which would have given us some contrast with domestic life.

I thought the sentimental side was well done. Could have done without the lingering shot of the cello though.

yours,

Peter T.