Captain Phillips is a 2013 biographical drama film directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Tom Hanks as Captain Richard Phillips. The film is based on the true story of the hijacking of the MV Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates in 2009.
The movie begins with Captain Phillips leaving his home in Vermont to join his crew aboard the MV Maersk Alabama. They are on a routine trip from Oman to Kenya, transporting cargo including food aid for Africa.
In the middle of the journey, the ship is approached by two small skiffs carrying Somali pirates armed with guns. Despite efforts to deter the pirates, they manage to board the ship and take Captain Phillips and some of his crew hostage.
The rest of the movie follows the tense standoff between the pirates and the United States Navy, who are sent to negotiate with the pirates and attempt to rescue Captain Phillips. As the situation escalates, the pirates become increasingly violent and the crew are forced to improvise to try and regain control of the ship.
The climactic finale of the film takes place on a lifeboat, where Captain Phillips is held captive with one of the pirates. In a heartbreaking scene, Captain Phillips pleads for his life and the life of his crew, but ultimately sacrifices himself to save them by offering himself as a hostage.
The film was critically acclaimed for its realistic portrayal of the hijacking and the bravery of the crew. Both Tom Hanks and Barkhad Abdi, who played the lead pirate, were praised for their performances and were nominated for Academy Awards. Captain Phillips is a gripping drama that explores the limits of human endurance and the power of human will.