Captain Phillips is an American drama film released in 2013, directed by Paul Greengrass. The film is based on a real-life pirate attack that occurred off the coast of Somalia in 2009. The screenplay was written by Billy Ray.

Plot

The film tells the story of the American cargo ship MV Maersk Alabama, which is hijacked by Somali pirates off the Horn of Africa. The ship’s captain, Richard Phillips, is taken hostage after offering himself in exchange for the safety of his crew. The narrative focuses on the confrontation between Captain Phillips and the pirate leader Muse, and follows the events leading up to the rescue operation.

^{Captain Phillips Official Trailer (WarnerBrosTurkey)}

Themes

The film explores themes such as piracy, leadership, survival, and human psychology. Its realistic portrayal of events highlights the dangers of global maritime shipping and the threat of piracy.

Cast and Characters

• Tom Hanks – Captain Richard Phillips
• Barkhad Abdi – Muse (pirate leader)
• Catherine Keener – Andrea Phillips
• Michael Chernus – Shane Murphy
• Barkhad Abdirahman – Bilal
• Faysal Ahmed – Najee
• Mahat M. Ali – Elmi
• David Warshofsky – Mike Perry

Awards and Nominations

The film received various awards and nominations, including:

• Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing
• BAFTA Awards: Winner for Best Supporting Actor; nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay
• Golden Globe Awards: Nominated for Best Motion Picture – Drama and acting categories
• American Cinema Editors Award: Winner for Best Film Editing

Box Office

The film was produced with an estimated budget of $55 million. It earned $25.7 million in its opening weekend in the U.S. and Canada, with a total domestic gross of approximately $107 million. The worldwide box office gross reached approximately $219 million.

Significance

Captain Phillips stands out for its portrayal of a real-life piracy incident and its realistic direction. The film focuses on issues of maritime security and piracy, depicting the risks involved in international shipping. With notable performances and strong technical execution, it received several nominations and won awards across major ceremonies.