The true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the U.S.-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years.
Malta Film Studios, Triq il-Kanun tal-Mija, Il-Kalkara, Reġjun tal-Port, KKR 1235, Malta
Scene: (Studio)
Ħ'Attard, Reġjun tat-Tramuntana, BZN 9023, Malta
Aouint Yghomane عوينة يغمان, caïdat d'Aouint Yghomane, Cercle d'Assa دائرة آسا, Province Assa-Zag ⵜⴰⵙⴳⴰ ⵏ ⴰⵙⵙⴰ ⵣⴰⴳ إقليم آسا الزاك, Guelmim-Oued Noun ⵜⴰⵙⴳⴰ-ⵡⴰⴷ ⵏⵓⵏ كلميم وادي نون, Maroc ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ المغرب
RN1, Drayd ⴷⵔⴰⵢⴷ درايد, Sidi Bibi ⵙⵉⴷⵉ ⴱⵉⴱⵉ سيدي بيبي, caïdat de Sidi Bibi, cercle de Biougra, Province de Chtouka-Aït Baha ⵜⴰⵙⴳⴰ ⵏ ⵛⵜⵓⴽⴰ ⴰⵢⵜ ⴱⴰⵀⴰ إقليم شتوكة آيت باها, Souss-Massa ⵙⵓⵙⵙ-ⵎⴰⵙⵙⴰ سوس-ماسة, 87274, Maroc ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ المغرب
21st Street, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23451, United States of America
Worcester Road, Coldbrook Springs, Oakham, Worcester County, Massachusetts, 01068, United States of America
Tower Street, Norfolk, Virginia, 23511, United States of America
Grand Harbour Vista, 42, Triq is-Sirena, L-Isla, Reġjun tal-Port, ISL 1461, Malta
455, Main Street, Central Business District, Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts, 01608, United States of America
Scene: (airport)
Rocky Park Road, Coconino County, Arizona, United States of America
Decatur County, Kansas, United States of America
Paul Greengrass’s tense true story of a cargo ship hijacked by Somali pirates was filmed far from Somalia – the ocean drama shot off Malta and in its giant water tanks, the pirate coast played by Morocco, and the American scenes by Virginia.
Where was Captain Phillips filmed?
Captain Phillips was filmed off Malta (the ship and ocean scenes), in Morocco (the Somali coast), and in Virginia, USA (the home scenes).
Every Captain Phillips location, explained
1
The ship at sea – Malta
The ocean and vessel scenes used the waters off Malta and the water tanks at Malta Film Studios.
2
The Somali coast – Morocco
The pirates’ fishing village used the coast of Morocco, around Agadir.
3
Virginia – the home front
Captain Phillips’ American scenes used Virginia, including Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
4
Additional US scenes
Some sequences used Massachusetts, around Boston and Worcester.
Planning a visit
Malta – a hub of maritime filmmaking with its purpose-built water tanks – is the film’s real ocean, and both Malta and the Moroccan coast are spectacular, accessible destinations.
Captain Phillips Fun Facts
1
Malta plays the ocean The hijack scenes were shot off Malta and in the Malta Film Studios water tanks.
2
Morocco is Somalia The Somali coast scenes used Morocco, near Agadir.
3
'Look at me - I'm the captain now' The pirate leader’s line became the film’s most quoted moment.
4
A real first-timer First-time actor Barkhad Abdi earned an Oscar nomination as the pirate leader.
5
Based on a true story It dramatises the 2009 hijacking of the Maersk Alabama.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Captain Phillips filmed?
Off Malta (the ship and ocean scenes), in Morocco (the Somali coast) and in Virginia, USA.
Where were the ocean scenes filmed?
Off Malta and in the water tanks at Malta Film Studios.
Can you visit the locations?
Yes – Malta and the Moroccan coast are both accessible destinations.
