From past hostages: The Iranians will hold a cocked pistol to the head of another captive and the hostage being filmed is intimidated and scared to death into saying anything. If we ever did it, it would be called Torture.
There comes a point where you write yourself off as dead. Then, you are completely free to act. Holding a gun to a mate's head? Charge headlong. Etc.
Never mind the cocked pistol. Over here, it's regarded as torture to hold panties near the head! :-(