Final answer:
In 'The Water Is Wide', the pivotal events that lead to the climax of the story in the movie include the decision of the captain and the crew to try to make a run through the surf and the moment when the boat swamps and the men have to scramble for the beach.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pivotal events that lead to the climax of the story in the movie 'The Water is Wide' are when the voyagers decide to try a run through the surf, and when the boat swamps and they scramble for the beach. These events shape the protagonist's perception of the island and its people by revealing the harsh reality of their situation and forcing them to confront their own vulnerability and mortality.