Editing Under Siege

{{short description|1992 film by Andrew Davis}}
{{about|the 1992 action film}}
{{distinguish|S.W.A.T.: Under Siege}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Under Siege
| image          = Under Siege poster.jpg
| alt            = 
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Andrew Davis (director)|Andrew Davis]]<ref>{{cite news|title= Seagal Has Blast With Unlikely Success of 'Siege'|newspaper= Los Angeles Times|date=1992-10-20|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-20-ca-699-story.html|access-date=2010-09-10|first=David J.|last=Fox}}</ref>
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Arnon Milchan]]
* [[Steven Reuther]]
* [[Steven Seagal]]
}}
| writer         = [[J. F. Lawton]]
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* Steven Seagal
* [[Tommy Lee Jones]]
* [[Gary Busey]]}}
| music          = [[Gary Chang]]
| cinematography = [[Frank Tidy]]
| editing        = {{Plainlist|
* [[Don Brochu]]
* Robert A. Ferretti
* [[Dov Hoenig]]
* [[Dennis Virkler]]
}}
| studio         = {{Plainlist|
* [[Regency Enterprises]]
* [[StudioCanal|Le Studio Canal +]]
* Alcor Films
}}
| distributor    = [[Warner Bros. Pictures|Warner Bros.]]
| released       = {{film date|1992|10|9}}
| runtime        = 103 minutes
| country        = {{ubl|
* United States
* France<ref name="AFI"/>
}}
| language       = English
| budget         = $30 million<ref name="AFI">{{AFI film|59422}}</ref>
| gross          = $156.6 million
}}
'''''Under Siege''''' is a 1992 [[action thriller film]] directed by [[Andrew Davis (director)|Andrew Davis]] and written by [[J. F. Lawton]]. It stars [[Steven Seagal]] (who also produced the film), [[Tommy Lee Jones]], [[Gary Busey]], and [[Erika Eleniak]]. Seagal plays [[Casey Ryback]], a former [[United States Navy SEALs|Navy SEAL]], who must fend off a group of mercenaries after they commandeer the U.S. Navy battleship {{USS|Missouri|BB-63|2}}.<ref>{{cite news |last=Weinraub |first=Bernard |date=1992-10-26 |title=The Talk of Hollywood; Director Who Blends Action With a Bit of Art |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/26/movies/the-talk-of-hollywood-director-who-blends-action-with-a-bit-of-art.html |access-date=2010-12-14 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

Released on October 9, 1992, ''Under Siege'' was both a critical and commercial success, receiving two [[Academy Award]] nominations for sound production and grossing over $156.6 million at the global box office.<ref name="Under Siege">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=undersiege.htm|title=Under Siege|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=2015-12-29}}</ref> It is often considered Steven Seagal's best film to date.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/best-steven-seagal-movies-ranked/|title=The 10 Best Steven Seagal Movies, Ranked|website=[[Screen Rant]]|date=19 March 2019 |access-date=19 March 2019|quote=Under Siege is possibly Steven Seagal's most famous action movie, and arguably his best.}}</ref> It was followed in 1995 by a sequel, ''[[Under Siege 2: Dark Territory]]'', which was not as well received.

''Under Siege'' was the final film of actor [[Patrick O'Neal (actor)|Patrick O'Neal]], before his death in 1994.

== Plot ==
The battleship {{USS|Missouri|BB-63}} arrives at [[Pearl Harbor]], where then-[[President of the United States|President]] [[George H. W. Bush]] announces that the ship will be decommissioned in [[California]]. [[Casey Ryback]], a [[Chief petty officer (United States)|chief petty officer]] and a culinary specialist, is preparing meals to celebrate [[commanding officer]] [[Captain (United States O-6)|Captain]] Adams' birthday, against the orders of [[executive officer]] [[Commander (United States)|Commander]] Krill, who has arranged for food and entertainment to be brought by helicopter. Krill provokes a tussle with Ryback. Unable to imprison Ryback in the brig without the captain's approval, Krill detains him in the walk-in fridge, placing Marine Private Nash on guard. The helicopter arrives with a musical band and caterers, accompanied by [[Playboy Playmate|'' Playboy'' Playmate]] Jordan Tate.

The band and caterers are mercenaries led by disillusioned former [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] operative William Strannix, who, aided by Krill, takes over the ship. Several officers are killed, including Captain Adams. The surviving crew are imprisoned in the [[forecastle]], with some stragglers confined in unsecured areas. Ryback hears the gunshots and persuades Nash to call the bridge. Strannix sends two mercenaries to eliminate Ryback and Nash. Nash is killed, but Ryback slays both mercenaries. He encounters Tate and reluctantly allows her to tag along.

Strannix and his mercenaries seize the ship's weapon systems, shooting down a jet sent to investigate; they plan to cover their escape with missiles to obliterate tracking systems in Pearl Harbor. Strannix's mission is to steal the ship's [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawks]] and load them onto a hijacked [[North Korea]]n submarine as revenge for the CIA attempting to assassinate him.

Strannix contacts Admiral Bates at the Pentagon to make demands but learns Ryback has escaped. Krill discovers Ryback is a former [[United States Navy SEALs|Navy SEAL]] with extensive training in counterterrorism tactics; Captain Adams had taken Ryback aboard as his cook after Ryback was demoted for striking a superior officer who provided inadequate intel for a failed [[United States invasion of Panama|mission in Panama]]. Strannix appears to recognize Ryback's name. Ryback contacts Bates, who says a Navy SEAL team is underway to retake the ship. Ryback, helped by Tate, moves throughout the ship, eliminating mercenaries. Krill activates the fire suppression system to flood the forecastle and force Ryback to rescue his mates while setting an ambush.

Ryback and Tate release 6 imprisoned sailors. They overcome the ambush and shut off the water flooding the forecastle. Ryback shuts down ''Missouri''{{'}}s weapon systems to allow incoming Navy SEALs to land, but the submarine crew shoots down the helicopter carrying the team. The Pentagon orders an air strike that will sink the ''Missouri''. Strannix regains control of the ship's weapon systems and loads the Tomahawks onto the submarine. Aided by a gunner's mate who was visiting the ship he served on during World War 2, Ryback attacks the submarine using the battleship's 16-inch guns, killing Krill and everyone on board.

His plan foiled, Strannix launches two retaliatory nuclear-tipped Tomahawks towards [[Honolulu]]. As the sailors retake the ship, Ryback enters the control room and encounters Strannix, who it is revealed previously served over Ryback as Ryback recognizes him. Ryback kills Strannix in a knife fight and then uses the launch code disk to destroy the Tomahawk missiles. A jet obliterates one missile, and the other is deactivated; the Navy calls off its airstrike.

The remaining crew are released as the ship sails to [[San Francisco]] harbor. A funeral ceremony for Captain Adams is held aboard the ''Missouri'', with Tate amongst the crew. Ryback salutes the captain's casket in his formal dress uniform with full decorations.

== Cast ==
[[File:Missouri post refit.JPG|thumb|right|150px|USS ''Missouri'']]
{{Cast listing|
* [[Steven Seagal]] as Chief Petty Officer [[Casey Ryback]], a former Navy SEAL who serves as ship's cook on ''Missouri''.
* [[Tommy Lee Jones]] as William Strannix, a renegade former CIA operative who leads the team of terrorists.
* [[Gary Busey]] as Commander Peter Krill, ''Missouri'''s executive officer who serves as an inside man and deputy of Strannix.
* [[Erika Eleniak]] as Jordan Tate, a [[Playboy Playmate|''Playboy'' Playmate]] model "Miss July '89" (the same as Eleniak was in real life) who comes on board to entertain the ship's personnel and becomes Ryback's [[sidekick]].
* [[Colm Meaney]] as Ernest Daumer, Strannix's top lieutenant.
* [[Patrick O'Neal (actor)|Patrick O'Neal]] as Captain J.T. Adams, Commanding Officer of ''Missouri''.
* [[Andy Romano]] as Admiral Bates, a high-ranking member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
* [[Dale Dye]] as Captain Nick Garza, Admiral Bates's advisor and a Navy SEAL who vouches for Ryback.
* [[Nick Mancuso]] as Tom Breaker, a high-ranking CIA agent and Strannix's former boss.
* [[Damian Chapa]] as Petty Officer 3rd Class Tackman, a sailor onboard ''Missouri''.
* [[Thomas Mills Wood|Tom Wood]] as Private Nash, a [[United States Marine]] onboard ''Missouri''.
* [[Troy Evans (actor)|Troy Evans]] as CPO Granger, a sailor onboard ''Missouri''.
* [[Dennis Lipscomb]] as Trenton, National Security Advisor.
* [[Bernie Casey]] as Commander Harris, a high-ranking officer in the ''Missouri''.
* [[Glenn Morshower]] as Ensign Taylor, a junior officer who dislikes Ryback.
* [[Raymond Cruz]] as Ramirez, Ryback's assistant cook.
* [[Sandy Ward]] as Gunner's Mate Calaway, who served on ''Missouri'' during World War II.
* Richard Andrew Jones as Pitt, Strannix's technician.
* [[George Cheung]] as Kerr, Pitt's assistant.
* [[Kane Hodder]] as one of Strannix's commandos.}}

== Production ==

=== Development and pre-production ===
The film was based on an original [[spec script]] by [[J. F. Lawton]] called ''Dreadnought'' which sold for $1 million.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Kathy O'Malley, &. D. C. |date=Oct 29, 1991|title=O'malley & collin INC.|work=Chicago Tribune|id={{ProQuest|283016657}}}}</ref> Warners wanted Seagal to star in the film but he turned it down at first. Seagal later said he had problems with the role of a character "who is at first a bimbo [[pop out cake|jumping out of a cake]] and gets paired up with me." But he said that in revisions of the script, the role became a character "who gradually reveals her intelligence."<ref name="los">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-20-ca-607-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|first=David|last=Fox|title=Under Siege' Blasts Off for Seagal : Movies: The action-film star credits some 'human moments' and humor for $30.3 million in box-office sales in 11 days|date=October 20, 1992}}</ref>

Lawton said "We are trying to make him [Seagal] more mainstream...getting him out of the pure action genre and into an acting role." The writer added "I'm trying to bring the budget within a reasonable range. The original script was almost irresponsible, with things like battleships getting blown up...the way it was, ''Dreadnought'' would have cost $100 million-plus to make. Now we're looking at the $30 million range... It was Steven's idea to fit the [[USS Arizona Memorial|Pearl Harbor Memorial]] into the film, because all these incredible ships would be there—a spectacular sight."<ref>{{Cite news|author=Beck, M., & Smith, S. J. |date=Dec 10, 1991|title=A bit kinder, gentler steven seagal coming|work=Austin American-Statesman|id={{ProQuest|256190680}}}}</ref>

Director Andrew Davis had previously made ''[[Above the Law (1988 film)|Above the Law]]'' with Steven Seagal. Davis later said "[[Terry Semel]] wanted us to get back together again saying that Seagal was only in the movie 41 minutes. Tommy Lee is in the movie longer than Steven. It was fine, it was fine. It worked out well. We had a nice time down in Mobile and had a lot of fun making the movie, and that was the movie that got me ''The Fugitive'' so it was worth it."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.craveonline.com/site/563385-exclusive-interview-andrew-davis-on-the-fugitive-20th-anniversary-edition/3#q0Sc72he8xidptRH.99|website=Crave Online|title=EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: ANDREW DAVIS ON THE FUGITIVE 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION|first=Fred|last= Topel|date=3 September 2013}}</ref>

In a 2018 interview with ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', [[Pamela Anderson]] claimed that she was a contender for the role of Jordan Tate, but was dropped after refusing to [[Casting couch|sleep with]] Seagal.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Siegel |first=Tatiana |date=2018-05-02 |title=Playmate to Politico: How Pamela Anderson Became an International Woman of Mystery |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/pamela-anderson-defends-julian-assange-talks-vladimir-putin-more-1107298/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> Gary Busey claimed in later interviews that Seagal sexually harassed Erika Eleniak, who co-starred with Anderson on ''[[Baywatch]]'', on set. Eleniak has stated that Seagal never acted inappropriately with her during casting or filming.<ref name=":0" />

=== Filming ===
{{USS|Alabama|BB-60|6}} (serving as a museum in [[Mobile, Alabama|Mobile]]) stood in for many of the ''Missouri'' sequences, and {{USS|Drum|SS-228|6}} (museum ship) portrayed the North Korean submarine.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Naval War Film: Genre, History and National Cinema|last=Rayner|first=Jonathan|publisher=Manchester University Press|year=2013|isbn=9781847796257}}</ref> The film also featured footage of the real ''Missouri'' sailing in [[Pearl Harbor]], the [[Pacific Ocean]], and [[San Francisco Bay]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59422-UNDER-SIEGE?sid=cda7b513-5e4d-4cd1-919e-3fc5515a649f&sr=1.9546548&cp=4&pos=8|access-date=2021-10-03|website=catalog.afi.com}}</ref> The war room sequences were filmed inside of a set constructed in a local high school gymnasium.

The film makes extensive use of the [[Introvision]] process, a variation of [[front projection]] that allows realistic three-dimensional interaction of foreground characters with projected backgrounds without the heavy cost of traditional [[Chroma key|bluescreen]] effects.<ref name="introvision">{{cite news |first=Andy |last=Marx |title=Introvision sees the 'Light' |url=https://variety.com/1994/film/news/introvision-sees-the-light-118483/ |work=Variety |date=1994-02-21 |access-date=2013-02-06}}</ref> The technique was also used in the films ''[[Outland (film)|Outland]]'', ''[[Megaforce]]'', ''[[Army of Darkness]]'' and Andrew Davis' later film, ''[[The Fugitive (1993 film)|The Fugitive]]''.<ref name="introvision" />

"Most people are surprised that the film is as sophisticated as it is," Davis said. "It appeals to people who have a point of view about nuclear weapons and the story thrusts you into an incredible situation that is not far-fetched."<ref name="los"/> When the original title ''Dreadnought'' did not test well with audiences, the marketing department wanted to give the film a three word title like other Seagal films and came up with the title ''Last to Surrender''. Lawton and Seagal both hated the title, and Seagal fought to have it changed, and the film ended up with the title ''Under Siege''.<ref>{{cite web |date= 9 October 1992 |last1= Marx |first1= Andy |title= Two-word title twice as nice for Steven Seagal |url= https://variety.com/1992/film/news/two-word-title-twice-as-nice-for-steven-seagal-101248/|website= Variety|archive-date=April 21, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421093500/https://variety.com/1992/film/news/two-word-title-twice-as-nice-for-steven-seagal-101248/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Robert Booth Nichols]], a self-described former espionage artist, alleged mob associate, and [[con artist]], was employed by Seagal as a technical advisor.<ref name="Lawson_2012">[[Guy Lawson]] (2012). ''Octopus: Sam Israel, the Secret Market, and Wall Street's Wildest Con''. Crown Publishing, ISBN 0307716074.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawson |first=Guy |date=2012-06-29 |title=Black-Ops Fixers, CIA Assassins, and Families That Control Global Finance -- New York Magazine - Nymag |url=https://nymag.com/news/features/octopus-sam-israel-2012-7/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=New York Magazine |language=en}}</ref> He also appears in the film in a small speaking role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weinstein |first=Henry |last2=Feldman |first2=Paul |date=1993-03-21 |title=Trial Offers Murky Peek Into World of Intrigue : Testimony: Presenting himself as a CIA operative, a mystery man sues the LAPD for alleged false arrest that he says cost him his gun permit and millions of dollars. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-03-21-mn-13734-story.html |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McGovern |first=Joe |date=2024-02-29 |title='American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders': Why a Chilling Scene About JFK's Assassination Is Key to Docuseries |url=https://www.thewrap.com/american-conspiracy-the-octopus-murders-interview-director-netflix/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=TheWrap |language=en-US}}</ref>

Casey Ryback's signature knives were designed for the film by [[Gil Hibben]].

== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
On its opening weekend, ''Under Siege'' made $15,760,003 from 2,042 theaters, with a $7,717 average.<ref>{{cite news|title= Weekend Box Office A Bang-Up Opening for 'Under Siege'|newspaper= The Los Angeles Times|date=1992-10-13|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-13-ca-32-story.html|access-date=2010-12-01|first=David J.|last=Fox}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Seagal Has Blast With Unlikely Success of 'Siege'|newspaper= Los Angeles Times|date=1992-10-20|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-20-ca-699-story.html|access-date=2010-09-10|first=David J.|last=Fox}}</ref> From there, it went on to make $83,563,139. Worldwide, it made $156,563,139.<ref name="Under Siege"/> At the time, it was the most successful film that had not been screened for any critics prior to its release.

=== Critical response ===
Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= Cinemascore |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= 2018-12-20 }}</ref> Reviewers praised Tommy Lee Jones and Gary Busey's performances as the film's villains.<ref>{{cite news |author= Roger Ebert | author-link= Roger Ebert |title= Under Siege|newspaper= [[Chicago Sun-Times]] |url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/under-siege-1992 |access-date=2010-09-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date= 1992-10-09 |first=Vincent |last=Canby |title=Review/Film; Steven Seagal on a Ship in Hot Water |newspaper= [[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/09/movies/review-film-steven-seagal-on-a-ship-in-hot-water.html |access-date=2010-09-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140304172516/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/09/movies/review-film-steven-seagal-on-a-ship-in-hot-water.html |archive-date= March 4, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= 'Under Siege' Delivers Laughs, Thrills|newspaper= [[Los Angeles Times]] |date=1992-10-09|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-09-ca-431-story.html|access-date=2010-09-10|first=Michael|last=Wilmington}}</ref> [[Rotten Tomatoes]] gives the film a score of 83% based on reviews from 30 critics. The site's consensus states: "A well-directed action thriller that makes the most of its confined setting, ''Under Siege'' marks a high point for early '90s action—and its star's spotty filmography."<ref>{{Rotten Tomatoes|under_siege}}</ref> This is one of the few Steven Seagal films to receive a fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, along with ''[[Executive Decision]]'' and ''[[Machete (2010 film)|Machete]]'', being called "''[[Die Hard]]'' on a battleship" by film critics. On [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score of 58 out of 100 based on 17 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

{{Anchor|Awards|Accolades}}
It was also the only Seagal movie to receive an [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] nomination, earning two nominations for [[Academy Award for Best Sound Editing|Best Sound Effects Editing]] ([[John Leveque]] and [[Bruce Stambler]]) and for [[Academy Award for Best Sound|Best Sound]] ([[Donald O. Mitchell]], [[Frank A. Montaño]], [[Rick Hart (sound engineer)|Rick Hart]] and [[Scott D. Smith]]).<ref name="Oscars1993">{{Cite web|url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1993 |title=The 65th Academy Awards (1993) Nominees and Winners |access-date=2011-10-22|work=oscars.org}}</ref> It did not win in either category, losing to ''[[Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992 film)|Bram Stoker's Dracula]]'' and ''[[The Last of the Mohicans (1992 film)|The Last of the Mohicans]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Weinrub |first=Bernald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-oscars-night-start/123764249/ |title=Oscar's night started at noon in Hollywood |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429231955/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-oscars-night-start/123764249/ |date=March 30, 1993 |access-date=April 29, 2023 |archive-date=April 29, 2023 |page=9 |work=The New York Times |publisher=[[The Orlando Sentinel]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> [[Harrison Ford]] saw a rough cut of the film and approved director Andrew Davis for ''[[The Fugitive (1993 film)|The Fugitive]]'' (1993).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thehollywoodinterview.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/andrew-davis-hollywood-interview.html|website=The Hollywood Interview|date=April 2012|title=Andrew Davis Interview}}</ref>

===Sequel===
A sequel, ''[[Under Siege 2: Dark Territory]]'', was released on July 14, 1995, with Seagal, Romano, Mancuso and Dye reprising their roles. The film failed to replicate the success of its predecessor.

===Reboot===
In November 2021, a reboot of the original was in development for [[HBO Max]], with [[Timo Tjahjanto]] and Umair Aleem attached to direct and write the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/under-siege-remake-warner-bros-hbo-max-1234876156/|title='Under Siege' Reboot In The Works At Warner Bros For HBO Max With Timo Tjahjanto Directing, Umair Aleem Writing|author=Anthony D'Alessandro|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=November 17, 2021|access-date=July 8, 2022}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of films featuring the United States Navy SEALs]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{mojo title|undersiege}}
* {{IMDb title|0105690}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|under_siege}}

{{Andrew Davis}}
{{J. F. Lawton}}

[[Category:1992 films]]
[[Category:1992 action thriller films]]
[[Category:American action thriller films]]
[[Category:Films about nuclear war and weapons]]
[[Category:Films about ship hijackings]]
[[Category:Films about terrorism]]
[[Category:Films directed by Andrew Davis]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by J. F. Lawton]]
[[Category:Films scored by Gary Chang]]
[[Category:Films set in Hawaii]]
[[Category:Films shot in Mobile, Alabama]]
[[Category:Regency Enterprises films]]
[[Category:Siege films]]
[[Category:StudioCanal films]]
[[Category:Techno-thriller films]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:Films about the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Films set on ships]]
[[Category:Films shot in San Francisco]]
[[Category:Films shot in Hawaii]]
[[Category:Films set in the Pacific Ocean]]
[[Category:Films produced by Arnon Milchan]]
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
[[Category:1990s American films]]
[[Category:English-language action thriller films]]