Crowe's 'Commander' On DVD

"Master And Commander,' 'Kill Bill - Vol.1' Arrive In Video Stores

(CBS)  "Master And Commander" was considered a huge gamble in Hollywood. Ultimately, the epic film took in over $200 million at the worldwide box office and received 10 Academy Award nominations, including best picture.

Next Tuesday, the film makes its way to video stores. Entertainment contributor and People magazine senior editor Jess Cagle has all the details in The Early Show's Home Theater.

In "Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World," Russell Crowe plays the renowned Naval Capt. Jack Aubrey.

In the early 1800s, he led his British warship into battle against a much bigger and faster French enemy, and became obsessed with pursuing and conquering his more powerful opponent -- at all costs.

Director Peter Weir said Capt. Aubrey was the role Crowe was born to play. Known for his intense approach to every acting job he takes, Crowe immersed himself in the time period.

Crowe says, “You got to fill your imagination of books. The bibliography for the research for this was two-and-a-half pages long. I look into the uniforms of the period, the political situation of the period. We're dealing with the Napoleonic war, just all the background details, but the character also plays violin so that took a lot of my time."

Although the backdrop is war on the high seas, the film also focuses on Aubrey's complex relationship with the ship's doctor, played by Paul Bettany. This was Crowe's second film with Bettany, who also appeared in "A Beautiful Mind."

Crowe notes, “Actors in a way tend to recognize, in the same way that race car drivers or NFL football players, you know that you are dealing with someone who does the same job as you, views the world in the same way, has the same rhythm in terms of a sense of humor. It happened a few times before, but it definitely happened with Paul."

The DVD includes a behind the scenes documentary and a deleted scene.

If you're looking for something to watch this weekend, Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill: Vol.1" is in video stores, the same week that “Vol. 2” is making its way to theaters. Uma Thurman stars as "The Bride," seeking revenge on the team of assassins that left her for dead.