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Hollywood VS Patrick O'Brian Trivia Quiz

"Master and Commander:The Far Side of the World" versus Patrick O'Brian: although a beautiful, worthy, epic Hollywood adventure courtesy of Peter Weir, how faithfully are the author's characters portrayed in the film, and how much do you know about them?

A multiple-choice quiz by ilyahna. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
ilyahna

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
158,533

Updated
Feb 04 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
467

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. According to your literary knowledge, which books concede the most significant plot value toward the movie "Master and Commander?" Hint

Books One and Books Four

Books One and Book Ten

Books One and Books Two

Books One and Books Eleven

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Question 2 of 10

2. One would only be aware of the nature of the meeting between our two main characters, Captain Jack Aubrey and Doctor Stephen Maturin, if one had read the books. Therefore, one would be aware that the two had met through: Hint

Stephen's need to make a living as a naval surgeon

Stephen's appointment as a naval surgeon aboard Jack's ship

Jack's involvement with the cousin of Stephen's future wife

a mutual interest in music

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Question 3 of 10

3. Following the "Hollywood Vs. Literature" theme, there is one quote that is used in the movie that is issued virtually "verbatim" from Patrick O'Brian's first novel. Whom does this quote concern?" Hint

Horatio Lord Nelson, and his interaction with Jack Aubrey

Lord Blakeney, on questioning Jack as to the nature of Lord Nelson

Jack Aubrey, upon success at the Nile

Stephen Maturin, who objects to Aubrey's actions

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Question 4 of 10

4. Reasonably, we don't see evidence of this in the movie, but having read the book, we are to know that our dear doctor has a rather sordid habit. What would that habit be? Hint

he is fond of young men

he drinks laudanum in quantity to quiet the demons

he is an alcoholic, more so than life at sea prescribes

he smokes opium almost daily

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Question 5 of 10

5. What most interesting fact about Dr. Maturin is the moviegoer unaware of, and that while the reader is clued in, Jack Aubrey does not even realize (at least, not at first)? Hint

he is actually a royal relative

he is in fact not Irish

he is a spy for the crown

he never finished his medical training

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Question 6 of 10

6. Something happened to one of these characters in the movie that also happened to one Mr. Day in the book. Who was it? Hint

Lt. Mowett

able seaman Joe Plaice

Lt. Pullings

Dr. Maturin

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Question 7 of 10

7. If it hadn't been for Dr. Maturin, we might not have had a movie at all, as Jack would more than likely have expired where? Hint

at Port Mahon, where he was almost involved in a duel with Admiral Harte

at sea, during the attack on the Cacafuego

while being extracted from France at the resumption of war

at sea, of scurvy

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Question 8 of 10

8. If it hadn't been for Captain Aubrey, we might not have had a movie at all, for Stephen more than likely would have expired where? Hint

at sea, after a violent argument with a wicked midshipman

in France, when war is declared, and he must be smuggled out

in the sea, after falling in (he can't swim)

in Port Mahon, being tortured as a suspected spy

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Question 9 of 10

9. Stephen and Jack once fully intended to settle their differences by fighting a duel. Stephen even borrowed a pair of pistols and practised his deadly aim. What was this duel over? Hint

Jack threatened to reveal Stephen's true identity

a woman, of course

Jack refused to allow Stephen to discontinue his service as ship's surgeon

a violent disagreement over politics

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Question 10 of 10

10. Just for fun, if you'd read the stories, there are two blatant physical differences concerning O'Brian's descriptions of Aubrey and Maturin and the Hollywood impression. In the books: Hint

Stephen was pale and blonde, Jack was dark haired

Stephen kept his hair long, and Jack kept his closely cropped

Stephen was much more bulky, and Jack always wore a beard

Stephen was shorter than Jack, and Jack was fat

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. According to your literary knowledge, which books concede the most significant plot value toward the movie "Master and Commander?"

Answer: Books One and Book Ten

"Master and Commander" is actually O'Brian's title for his first book, whilst "The Far Side of the World" is the title of the tenth installment in the Aubrey/Maturin series. There are very significant elements, including exact quotes, from both novels,(as well as others in the series) which are included in Peter Weir's concept.

Answer: a mutual interest in music

Stephen and Jack met on page three of "Master and Commander", the first of Patrick O'Brian's novels concerning the intriguing pair. From that page and on, after they disagreed as to the appropriate, public expression of musical appreciation, the two men's past, present, and future were irrevocably intertwined in complexities, adventure and friendship.

Answer: Horatio Lord Nelson, and his interaction with Jack Aubrey

"I've always tried to say it just as he did.." Peter Weir pretty much put Patrick O'Brian's exact words into Russell Crowe's mouth as he entertained his dinner guests with his account of the character and person of Lord Nelson.

4. Reasonably, we don't see evidence of this in the movie, but having read the book, we are to know that our dear doctor has a rather sordid habit. What would that habit be?

Answer: he drinks laudanum in quantity to quiet the demons

"It is unspeakably childish to be upset by the whiff of a scent; but I am upset, and I shall certainly exceed my allowance, to the extent of five hundred drops." He poured himself a wineglassful of laudanum, closed one eye, and drank it off." And poor Stephen is quite often upset.

5. What most interesting fact about Dr. Maturin is the moviegoer unaware of, and that while the reader is clued in, Jack Aubrey does not even realize (at least, not at first)?

Answer: he is a spy for the crown

"Ha ha ha," he laughed, his big voice full of intense amusement, "to think of poor good old Stephen being laid by the heels for a spy! Oh ha ha ha!...My dear sir, surely your men must be a very simple crew to go round suspecting Stephen Maturin." Poor Jack is always the last to know.

6. Something happened to one of these characters in the movie that also happened to one Mr. Day in the book. Who was it?

Answer: able seaman Joe Plaice

The crazy scene with Dr. Maturin trepanning Joe Plaice also happened to Mr. Day, in the first book, "Master and Commander", whereas Joe Plaice's scene of note was from "The Far Side of the World."

7. If it hadn't been for Dr. Maturin, we might not have had a movie at all, as Jack would more than likely have expired where?

Answer: while being extracted from France at the resumption of war

Stephen was a pretty good friend. As a British spy, he was in the know that war would be declared with France while he and Jack were the guests of a French captain, and he smuggled his friend out of France disguised as a dancing bear. He also rescued Jack from debtor's prison on more than one occasion, conspired to keep him hidden from debt collectors, used his clout in Naval Intelligence to get Jack ships and profitable missions, and once even bought him a ship. What a pal.

8. If it hadn't been for Captain Aubrey, we might not have had a movie at all, for Stephen more than likely would have expired where?

Answer: in Port Mahon, being tortured as a suspected spy

Jack's very brave soul had no second thoughts- he took a group of volunteers straight into the lion's den, killed any who stood in his way, and carried his friend out.

9. Stephen and Jack once fully intended to settle their differences by fighting a duel. Stephen even borrowed a pair of pistols and practised his deadly aim. What was this duel over?

Answer: a woman, of course

Jack ignored the telltale signs that the woman he continued to have relations with, Diana Villiers, was the object of Stephen's desperate, unrequited love. It took a horrific battle at sea in which Jack almost died and Stephen came to the rescue before they called one another brother again.

10. Just for fun, if you'd read the stories, there are two blatant physical differences concerning O'Brian's descriptions of Aubrey and Maturin and the Hollywood impression. In the books:

Answer: Stephen was shorter than Jack, and Jack was fat

But hey. Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany probably both look better than Patrick O'Brian's imaginings anyway, so who cares? :}

Source: Author ilyahna

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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