No, this isn’t a fun-loving film about Caribbean pirates and Johnny Depp. I’m talking about real pirates with lethal weapons who board your boat, take you captive, kill your crew, and hold you for ransom. That kind of pirate. They’re very real, and they’re very active off the shores of South America and Africa.
Being captured by real pirates is exactly what happened to Captain Richard Phillips in 2009. Captain Phillips is a movie of his harrowing experience, featuring Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips.
What did Phillips think of his experience? In a Parade interview, Phillips says this about fear and bravery: “I was afraid, but you’ve got to put that fear on the seat next to you and do what you have to do.”
When asked if he thought anyone has the ability to act heroically, Tom Hanks says this: “Some people are cowards. . . . I think by and large a third of people are villains, a third are cowards, and a third are heroes. Now, a villain and a coward can choose to be a hero, but they’ve got to make that choice.”
Now it’s your turn: Have you gone through a tremendously harrowing experience? Have you faced a fear? Do you think some people are cowards? Do you agree with Hanks’ assessment of humanity?
Write an answer to any one of the questions above. Use at least one paragraph.
If you write about an experience, tell it chronologically and include how you felt at certain times, how it impacted you.
If you defend a view, use at least one solid reason you hold that view.
Photo theatrical movie poster.
