“Captain Phillips” is directed by Paul Greengrass and stars the famous actor Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips. The movie also features Barkhad Abdi, who plays Muse, the leader of the Somali pirates. For his role, Barkhad Abdi recently won the British Academy Award. This movie is based on the true story of the 2009 hijacking of the U.S. cargo ship Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates. The story is taken from the book “A Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea” by Richard Phillips and Stephen Talty.
Filming on the Sea
The filming for “Captain Phillips” began on March 26, 2012. The movie was shot mostly off the coast of Malta, in the Mediterranean Sea. The crew spent nine weeks filming on a ship named Alexander Maersk, which is just like the Maersk Alabama, the real ship in the story. The USS Truxtun, a Navy destroyer, was also used in the film to represent another ship from the true events.
Filming Locations Around the World
Apart from Virginia, “Captain Phillips” was also filmed in other locations like Malta, Morocco, and Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, scenes with Tom Hanks were shot at Matlock Farm on Old Lexington Road in Lincoln.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
In Virginia Beach, the movie filmed the dramatic Navy SEAL rescue scenes. Filming in Virginia was a big effort involving cooperation from the United States Navy and the City of Virginia Beach. The Navy was very supportive, offering their ships and facilities for the movie.
Why Filming in Virginia?
The decision to film in Hampton Roads, Virginia, was influenced by the Navy’s strong support. Gregory Goodman, the executive producer of the movie, mentioned that a high-ranking admiral promised to provide everything needed if they filmed in Norfolk, Virginia. Despite Norfolk not being a traditional film location, the Navy’s help made it the best choice. The crew brought in all the equipment needed, and it turned out to be a great place to shoot the movie.
Using Real Ships
In the real story, several Navy ships were involved in the rescue. In the film, the USS Halyburton, which was part of the actual rescue, portrayed itself. Other ships like the USS Wasp and USS Truxtun were used to represent different ships from the rescue operation.
Challenges of Filming
Filming on real ships was challenging. Moving Navy vessels is difficult and dangerous, so the crew had to travel to the ships each day in small boats, sometimes in rough ocean conditions. Filming on a real lifeboat was also tough because of the cramped space, so the team built a replica for the scenes, which helped capture the feeling of being trapped.
Tom Hanks’ Experience
Tom Hanks enjoyed filming in Virginia. He said he had a great time in Norfolk and got to visit Navy ships, which was an amazing experience.
Economic Impact
“Captain Phillips” received a $300,000 grant from the Governor’s Motion Picture Opportunity Fund and spent $2.6 million in Virginia, creating a total economic impact of $4.6 million.
Making the Film Real
Director Paul Greengrass wanted the film to feel as real as possible. About 75% of the movie was shot on open water on a real merchant ship, identical to the one in the true story. The team also used real Navy ships and built a lifeboat replica to create a realistic experience for the audience.
“Captain Phillips” brought together many locations and real-life elements to tell an incredible true story. With the support of the Navy and the Virginia community, the film was able to capture the drama and danger of the hijacking and rescue. As the Oscars approach, “Captain Phillips” stands out as a film that combined real experiences and powerful storytelling.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Little Girl in the Window
Q: Where was “Captain Phillips” filmed?
A: “Captain Phillips” was filmed in multiple locations around the world. Principal filming took place off the coast of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea. Key scenes were also shot in Virginia Beach, Virginia; Malta; Morocco; and Massachusetts, including locations like Matlock Farm in Lincoln, Massachusetts.
Q: When did the filming of “Captain Phillips” take place?
A: Filming for “Captain Phillips” began on March 26, 2012. The production included nine weeks of shooting on the container ship Alexander Maersk and additional filming in various locations such as Virginia Beach, Virginia, and other places.
Q: Why did they choose Virginia Beach, Virginia, as a filming location?
A: Virginia Beach was chosen for its cooperation with the United States Navy and the City of Virginia Beach. The Navy’s support was crucial, providing access to ships and facilities needed for filming the dramatic rescue scenes. The decision was also influenced by promises from high-ranking Navy officials to provide necessary resources for the film.
Q: What real ships were used in the filming of “Captain Phillips”?
A: The USS Halyburton, which was involved in the real-life rescue, portrayed itself in the movie. Other ships like the USS Wasp and USS Truxtun were used to represent different Navy ships involved in the rescue operation. The container ship Alexander Maersk stood in for the Maersk Alabama.
Q: When was “Captain Phillips” released?
A: “Captain Phillips” was released on October 11, 2013. It received critical acclaim and went on to be nominated for several awards, including six Academy Awards.
