Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is a 2007 American epic fantasy swashbuckler film directed by Gore Verbinski,
the third installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series and the sequel to Dead Man's Chest (2006). It follows
Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, Hector Barbossa, and the crew of the Black Pearl as they seek to rescue Captain Jack Sparrow
from Davy Jones' Locker. They then prepare to fight the East India Trading Company, led by Cutler Beckett, who controls
Davy Jones and plans to extinguish piracy forever. Two sequels to Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
were conceived in 2004, with Elliott and Rossio developing a story arc that would span both films. The film was shot in
two shoots during 2005 and 2006, the former of which was released as Dead Man's Chest. This also marks the final film
of the series to be directed by Verbinski. With a production budget of nearly US$ 300 million, it was, at time of
production, the most expensive film ever made.
Walt Disney Pictures released the film in the United States on May 18, 2007. Critical reviews were mixed; the film was
praised for its performances, direction, musical score, action sequences, humor and special effects, but was criticized
for its plot, character development and long running time of 169 minutes. Despite this, At World's End was the
highest-grossing film of 2007, bringing in over $960 million. It was nominated at the 80th Academy Awards for Best
Makeup and Best Visual Effects. It won favorite movie actor for Johnny Depp in 2008 Kids' Choice Awards. A sequel,
On Stranger Tides, was released May 20, 2011.
To control the oceans, Lord Cutler Beckett executes anyone associated with piracy in Port Royal and orders Davy Jones to
destroy all pirate ships. Condemned prisoners sing "Hoist the Colours" to compel the nine Pirate Lords to convene at
Shipwreck Cove to hold the Brethren Court. Because Pirate Lord Jack Sparrow never named a successor before being dragged
to Davy Jones' Locker, Hector Barbossa, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, Tia Dalma, and the surviving crew of the Black Pearl
plot to rescue Jack. In Singapore, the crew meet Pirate Lord Sao Feng, who owns navigational charts to the Locker. Will
secretly promises to give Jack to Feng in return for the Pearl, intending to use it to rescue his father "Bootstrap Bill"
Turner from the Flying Dutchman. The crew rescue Jack and recover the Pearl. As they depart, they encounter boats of
dead souls, including Elizabeth's father Governor Swann, executed by Beckett. Tia Dalma reveals that the goddess
Calypso charged Davy Jones with guiding the souls of those who died at sea to the next world; every ten years he
could come ashore to be with the woman he loved, but Jones corrupted his purpose and was cursed to become a monster.
Governor Swann reveals that whoever kills Jones by stabbing his disembodied heart must become the Dutchman's captain.
Returning to the living world, the Pearl stops at an island for fresh water, but are attacked by Sao Feng and Beckett's men.
As Jack secretly negotiates his freedom with Beckett, Elizabeth is handed over to Feng, who believes she is Calypso, while
the rest of the crew make for Shipwreck Cove aboard the Pearl. Jack throws Will off the ship as part of a plan to seize
control of the Dutchman. Sao Feng tells Elizabeth that the first Brethren Court bound Calypso in human form after she
betrayed her lover, Davy Jones; Feng plans to release her to defeat Beckett. Feng is fatally wounded in an attack by
Jones, appointing Elizabeth his successor as Pirate Lord before dying. Elizabeth and the crew are locked in the brig
of the Dutchman, where she finds Bootstrap Bill losing himself to the Dutchman's curse. Admiral James Norrington frees
Elizabeth and her crew from the Dutchman, but is killed by a crazed Bootstrap Bill. Will is rescued by Beckett and
informs Jones of Jack's escape from the Locker, learning in the process that Jones enabled the first Court to
imprison Calypso, revealed to be Tia Dalma. Meanwhile, the Pearl arrives at Shipwreck Cove, where Barbossa
attempts to persuade the Brethren Court to release Calypso. Jack's father, Captain Teague, informs the Court that
only an elected Pirate King can declare war. To avoid a stalemate, Jack votes for Elizabeth, making her King.
Elizabeth, Jack, Barbossa, Beckett, Jones, and Will parley, trading Will for Jack. Barbossa frees Calypso, but when
Will reveals Jones' betrayal to her, Calypso vanishes and summons a maelstrom.
The Pearl and Dutchman battle in the maelstrom. Elizabeth and Will are wed by Barbossa in the midst of the battle. On
the Dutchman, Jack and Jones duel for control of Jones' heart. After Jones mortally wounds Will, Jack helps Will stab
the heart, killing Jones. Jack and Elizabeth escape the Dutchman as it sinks into the maelstrom. As Beckett's ship,
the Endeavour, engages the Pearl, the Dutchman rises from the sea, now captained by Will and its crew freed from
Jones' curse. The two pirate ships destroy the Endeavour, killing Beckett. With Will bound to guide souls lost at
sea to the next world, he and Elizabeth bid farewell to each other. Will departs on the Dutchman, leaving Elizabeth
pregnant and with the chest containing his heart. Barbossa mutinies against Jack and steals the Pearl again
to find the Fountain of Youth, but finds that Jack has stolen Feng's charts. Jack departs from Tortuga to
track the fountain down.
