Summary
Played by Tom Hanks inCaptain Phillips, there is a real man behind the titular protagonist. Captain Richard Phillips was born in Winchester, MA, in 1955 and worked as the ship captain of theMV Maersk Alabama when it was hijackedby Somali pirates in 2009. Four years later, this feat was chronicled by the Paul Greengrass filmCaptain Phillips.
Captain Phillipsbrought wider exposure toRichard Phillips’ remarkable true story. The docudrama was nominated for several awards, including six Oscar nominations. Among said nominations were Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for the just-introduced Barkhad Abdi, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Though the film itself is gripping, it is even more fascinating to look into the true story behind the film, and especially where the man who inspired the film is now.
Captain Phillips Ending Explained
The 2013 film Captain Phillips, starring Tom Hanks, features a dramatic and tense ending that is one of the best performances in Hanks' career.
The Memoir About Captain Richard Phillips Inspired The Tom Hanks Movie
A Captain’s Duty Was Released In 2010
TheOscar-nominated screenplay is adapted from a memoir written by Phillips himself, which is titledA Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS, and Dangerous Days at Sea.A Captain’s Dutywas published in April 2010, just one year after Phillips’run-in with the Somali piratesin April 2009. As such, the 304 memoir is the most visceral account possible of the events, as Phillips wrote the book relatively recently to the occurrence. Phillips co-wrote his memoir with experienced author Stephen Talty, who helped transfer Phillips’ narrative into gripping prose.
A Captain’s Dutyis structured in alternating sections, with part of the book emphasizing his five-day ordeal with the pirates, and the other part of the book tackling Phillips’ family back home in Vermont. Getting the book published was a whirlwind for Phillips, as the marinersigned his life rights to the Creative Arts Agency (CAA) just months after his traumatic run-in with the Somali pirates.Shortly after, Columbia Pictures optioned rights to the book and resulting film adaptation, and production onCaptain Phillipsbegan swiftly.
Somali pirates still continue to threaten hijacking in shipping lanes, even in 2024.
While Captain Richard Phillips is widely regarded as a hero, the story is not as cut-and-dry as the initial reception might make it out to be. More than half of the crew members had come forward to sue Phillips, deeming him partially responsible for the attack. This claim stemmed from an advisory that ships stay at least 600 nautical miles (nmi) away from Somalia’s coast. At the time of theMaersk Alabamaattack, Phillips’ boat was only 240 nmi away from the coast. This led to the accusation that Phillips was flippant in following orders, prioritizing efficiency over safety.
As a result, theCaptain Phillipsfilm received some backlash from these dissenting crew membersand their families. As in the case of the immediate reaction to Phillips’ incident,Captain Phillipsvery much presents Phillips as a hero rather than a more complicated figure. Though the lawsuits had been settled before going to trial, this upset some crew members who felt that Phillips was still partially at fault for the terrifying event.
Captain Richard Phillips Retired In 2014
His Maritime Career Spanned Over 30 Years
Impressively, Phillips did not immediately retire from his career after being held hostage by the Somali pirates. At the time of his capture, the captain had been in his field for over 30 years, making him deeply connected to his work. His connection and prowess in the field are witnessed through his steadfast and skillful commitment to protect his crew in the face of invaders who threaten his livelihood, successfully hiding them away while Phillips was put on a lifeboat and made the only hostage. He returned to his work just 14 months after the pirate situation.
He finished out his career sailing as the Master for theM/V Green Bay, which carried vehicles across the sea. After publishing his memoir and seeing the release ofCaptain Phillips,Phillips retired from his field in 2014at the age of 59. In October 2014, this retirement was announced by the International Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots. This organization is the labor union that represents licensed mariners.
Where Is Captain Richard Phillips Now?
Captain Richard Phillips Is 69 Years Old
In the present day, Phillips has been retired from his maritime career for almost a decade. Almost in his seventh decade, he is currently 69 years old. In his retirement,he has spent his time as a public speaker around the world, talking about his harrowing experience and what he has learned in its aftermath. The Captain Richard Phillips and Lane Kirkland Maritime Trust was also created in his honor, which was set in place to help people start their maritime careers and advocate for the visibility of the industry as a whole.
Captain Phillips
Cast
Starring Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips tells the story of the titular captain whose cargo ship was hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009. A fictionalized version of real-life events, the film follows Captain Phillips and his crew as they fight for their lives against a group of Somali pirates led by Abduwali Muse. Besides Hanks, Barkhad Abdi and Catherine Keener also star.
