Camera Angles
What type of shot is used when we first see Muse lying in his hut in Somalia?
A wide/long shot is used to show Muse lying in his hut.
Which famous line does Muse say during the hijacking that shows he has taken control?
Muse says, “I’m the captain now.”
What details in Muse’s hut show that he lives in poverty?
The hut is poorly built, dark, and empty, and Muse has very few belongings, showing he lives in poverty.
What type of sound is created when the pirates shout at each other in Somali?
It is diegetic sound, as the characters can hear it within the scene.
Who is Muse, and what role does he play in the film?
Muse is the leader of the Somali pirates and the main antagonist of the film.
Why does Greengrass use a shaky, unsteady camera at the start of the Navy SEALs lifeboat scene?
The shaky camera shows how unstable and chaotic the lifeboat is and reflects the panic and confusion inside it.
What does Muse mean when he tells Phillips, “This is simply business”?
He means that the hijacking is about money and survival, not personal hatred, and he is trying to reassure Phillips.
How does Muse’s body language in Somalia suggest vulnerability when we first see him?
His back is turned to the camera, making him look defenceless and vulnerable, which can create sympathy from the audience.
How does the low, tense background music build suspense before the pirates are killed?
The tense, scratchy music builds anxiety and makes the audience expect something violent or tragic to happen.
What does Muse do before the hijacking that shows his authority over the other pirates?
He walks in front of the group, examines them, and chooses his crew, showing leadership and authority.
How do close-up shots of Captain Phillips and the pirates during the lifeboat scene help to build tension?
The close-ups show the terror on Phillips’ face and the fear and aggression of the pirates, making the situation feel more intense and dangerous.
How does the repetition of phrases like “three green” and “red shots” increase tension in the Navy SEALs scene?
The repeated use of technical language like “three green” keeps the audience in suspense because it shows how close Phillips is to being killed if anything goes wrong.
Why is Muse often shown holding or wearing his gun during the lifeboat scenes?
The gun reminds the audience that Muse is still a violent threat and suggests he may use it as he becomes more desperate.
Why does the music stop immediately after the gunshots in the Navy SEALs scene?
The silence makes the moment feel more shocking and real, focusing attention on Phillips’ terror and confusion.
Why does Muse say he became a pirate rather than a fisherman?
Foreign ships took the fish from Somali waters, leaving him no way to survive as a fisherman.
What is the effect of the point-of-view shot used when the Navy SEALs line up their targets?
The point-of-view shot lets the audience see what the SEALs see, showing how difficult and precise the shots must be and increasing tension.
Why does Greengrass include Somali dialogue during the lifeboat scene, even though the audience may not understand it?
The Somali dialogue increases confusion and tension and shows the pirates are panicking and losing control, which mirrors how Phillips and the audience feel.
How does the Navy SEALs’ uniform and use of official jargon contrast with the pirates?
The SEALs look organised, professional, and calm, while the pirates appear chaotic, suggesting the SEALs are in control and likely to succeed.
How do Phillips’ screams after the shooting affect the audience emotionally?
His screams sound animal-like, making the audience feel his panic, fear, and relief at the same time.
What key event shows that Muse has lost control during the lifeboat scenes?
The shaky camera, arguing pirates, and Muse’s increasing aggression show he is losing control of the situation.
How does the high-angle shot of Muse when he is arrested reflect the change in his power and status?
The high-angle shot makes Muse look weak and powerless, showing that his authority has completely disappeared and that he has been defeated.
How does Muse’s dialogue on the lifeboat reveal a more sympathetic side of his character?
Muse explains that he was once a fisherman and turned to piracy due to poverty, making him seem more human and sympathetic, rather than purely evil.
Explain how props such as the rope and blindfold used on Phillips increase tension in the execution scene.
The rope and blindfold suggest an execution, making the audience fear that Phillips will die and greatly increasing tension.
Explain how Greengrass uses sound to mirror Phillips’ confusion, terror, and relief during the climax.
The shouting, music, silence, and screams all reflect Phillips’ emotional journey from fear and confusion to relief, allowing the audience to experience the moment through him.
What happened to the real Muse when he was arrested?
The real Muse, Abduwali Abdukhadir Muse, was arrested by U.S. forces and taken to America, where he was put on trial. He was found guilty of piracy and other crimes and sentenced to over 30 years in a U.S. federal prison. He is still in prison today, serving his sentence.