Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

The second of the Pirates movies is undoubtedly a swashbuckling adventure with over-the-top special effects and scary creatures! With the third instalment in the wings though, Dead Man’s Chest has a frustrating lack of closure, which the cynic in me would attribute to marketing strategy. It also feels like a repeat of the first one without the same degree of wit. Adding to the feeling of deja vu are recognisable elements from King Kong and Lord of the Rings, only this time with pirates!

The film has some intriguing, sometimes disturbing spiritual overtones, and could be viewed as a snapshot of the worst of humanity. There are no real “good guys” in this story, only good bad guys or bad good guys.

Every character is held captive by their own selfishness and all are gripped by fear. All are fighting for their own freedom at the expense of everyone else. Quite often their vain attempts at freedom lead them to be further enslaved. It’s a hopeless downward spiral. It’s not a pleasant picture, especially when we see something of ourselves in it.

It’s not really cool to talk about being “slaves to sin” the way old preachers and some parts of the Bible do. There’s been a bit too much emotional manipulation that’s gone along with it, and it makes us feel uncomfortable. But maybe Pirates of the Caribbean has something to offer here. The fear and selfishness that controls the characters in this story exemplify what Paul means when he says: “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?”*

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) has quite a knack for getting people to help him by convincing them it’s the best way to achieve their own goals. His confusing and convoluted arguments parody our own often mixed motives. We do the right things for the wrong reasons, or the wrong things for the right reasons, or our motivation changes entirely once we get caught out, or appreciated, for what we’re doing. Even when we want to do the right thing, things don’t always go to plan.**

However, there are a couple of glimmers of hope in the midst of all the swashbuckling, the gravelly piratey voices and parrots. These glimmers of hope hint at the best in human nature, and even maybe a shadow of God. After all, the best in human nature is what God has put there. Elizabeth (Keira Knightly) rejects her own safety and comfort, risking everything to save the one she loves. Will (Orlando Bloom) finds his father as a slave on The Flying Dutchman and offers himself to free his father. Captain Jack Sparrow sacrifices himself (if a little unwillingly!) to the great sea monster so the others can escape.

In contrast to the bleak, if not grotesque backdrop, these moments in the film demonstrate selflessness, courage and even grace. They are faint, sketchy outlines of that greatest act of grace where One died to release all who are captive to selfishness and fear.

And so we find freedom. Not in fighting for it, but in accepting grace. Not in grabbing for it for myself, but by selflessness to others.

*Romans 7:24
**Romans 7:18-20