Somalis Days ...

Rating: 7/10 (25 October 2013)

... you're gonna take me hostage
With apologies to Sophie Tucker. I have to confess that I've never been much for Boy's Own Paper type 'adventure' stories but I found this movie easy to take whilst it stopped short of having me grip the edge of my seat. We do, of course, know how it comes out but it's not too difficult to suspend your disbelief. There are, of course, questions at the back of your mind even as you're watching but the quality of the film and the performances don't allow these questions to neutralize what is on the screen. The obvious question is WHY, after all the publicity, all the recorded hi-jackings etc, does ANY shipping company permit one of its vessels to sail SLOWLY and with no arms on board, in waters that are notorious for Somali pirates. My second question - where does a dirt-poor country like Somalia acquire 1) high-speed boats and 2) seemingly endless supplies of arms - is probably easier answered by those in the know. A third, possibly equally futile question: why couldn't a crew of what appeared to be around 50/60 strong prevent a mere FOUR pirates, albeit armed, even board let alone capture their vessel. I pose these questions only because this is a TRUE story rather than the imaginings of a writer.