Under Siege (1992)

Under Siege (1992) is an American action thriller directed by Andrew Davis and starring Steven Seagal in one of his most iconic roles. The film is often described as “Die Hard on a battleship,” but with a unique military twist and a surprisingly strong supporting cast. Here’s a complete deep-dive into everything that makes Under Siege a classic of the genre.

Detailed Summary

The Setup: Meet Casey Ryback

Casey Ryback (Steven Seagal) is introduced as the mild-mannered cook aboard the USS Missouri, a U.S. Navy battleship. He’s respected by some, dismissed by others, especially the XO, Commander Krill (Gary Busey). The ship is preparing for the birthday of its retiring captain, and a band and caterers are being flown in by helicopter. Seems innocent enough—until the situation takes a hard left turn.

The Takeover

The catering team and band, led by a seemingly flamboyant rock musician named William Strannix (Tommy Lee Jones), hijack the ship during the party. They kill several officers, take the ship’s crew hostage, and reveal that they’re terrorists after the ship’s nuclear arsenal. Surprise! Strannix is not a musician—he’s a rogue CIA operative with a serious vendetta, and Krill is in on the plan.

Ryback Unleashed

Locked in a meat locker by Krill and overlooked as just a cook, Ryback eventually escapes. Turns out he’s not just a cook—he’s a highly decorated former Navy SEAL who was demoted due to an incident involving a superior officer. What follows is a one-man guerrilla war on a battleship. Ryback uses stealth, explosives, knives, and kitchen gear to sabotage the terrorists.

Along the way, he teams up with Jordan Tate (Erika Eleniak), a Playboy Playmate who was hired to jump out of a cake during the captain’s party. Her role shifts from comic relief to genuine support, though her character is mostly played for eye candy in true ‘90s fashion.

Sabotage and Showdown

Ryback disables the ship’s weapon systems, eliminates many of Strannix’s men, and contacts the Pentagon to report what’s happening. The U.S. military scrambles to respond, but time is running out—Strannix has launched a nuclear-tipped Tomahawk missile aimed at Honolulu.

The Final Confrontation

Ryback confronts Strannix in the ship’s control room. The two engage in a brutal knife fight, both men evenly matched in skill. Ultimately, Ryback kills Strannix by stabbing him in the head and eye—visceral and very Seagal.

He then manually redirects and self-destructs the missile in flight just seconds before impact. Honolulu is saved, the terrorists are dead, and Ryback walks away victorious as the crew celebrates.

Movie Ending

The film ends with Ryback being hailed as a hero by the surviving crew members. The Navy drops the charges against him, recognizing his actions saved the ship and prevented a nuclear disaster. Jordan Tate, now somewhat battle-hardened, shares a subtle moment of respect with Ryback, though the movie wisely avoids shoehorning a forced romance. The final scene is Ryback in his full dress whites at the funeral of the ship’s captain, finally showing the respect he held for his commanding officer. The camera pans out over the sea—a classic hero’s ending, military-style.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Under Siege does not have a post-credits scene. Like most action films from the early ‘90s, it concludes definitively, with no setup for a sequel in the credits. However, due to its success, a sequel (Under Siege 2: Dark Territory) was released in 1995.

Type of Movie

Under Siege is an action thriller with strong elements of military drama and suspense. It also dips into terrorist thriller territory. Think Die Hard meets The Hunt for Red October—tense, enclosed, and violent with a blue-collar hero.

Cast

• Steven Seagal as Casey Ryback
• Tommy Lee Jones as William Strannix
• Gary Busey as Commander Krill
• Erika Eleniak as Jordan Tate
• Colm Meaney as Daumer
• Patrick O’Neal as Captain Adams
• Andy Romano as Admiral Bates

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Gary Chang, who delivers a mix of patriotic brass and suspenseful cues. The soundtrack doesn’t aim to be melodic or emotional—it’s functional, keeping tension high and accentuating Seagal’s swift, lethal movements.

Filming Locations

Most of the film was shot aboard the USS Alabama, docked in Mobile, Alabama, used as a stand-in for the USS Missouri. Additional scenes were filmed in Los Angeles sound stages.

The ship setting is crucial—it confines the characters in a claustrophobic, metallic environment. That tight space amplifies the suspense, making Ryback’s guerrilla warfare more believable and gritty.

Awards and Nominations

While Under Siege didn’t clean up at major award ceremonies, it did receive:

• 2 Academy Award nominations:
  • Best Sound Effects Editing
  • Best Sound
• It was also praised for its practical effects and sound design in multiple action film retrospectives.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Steven Seagal was not the first choice; producers originally wanted a bigger mainstream name.
• Tommy Lee Jones and Gary Busey had a blast filming their villain roles—both chewed scenery with joy.
• Erika Eleniak was a real-life Playboy Playmate, adding a meta layer to her role.
• Seagal insisted on doing many of his own stunts, particularly knife work.
• Director Andrew Davis was chosen due to his previous success with Code of Silence.

Inspirations and References

The film’s “lone man vs. terrorists” setup clearly takes inspiration from Die Hard (1988), but transposes the scenario to a military setting. The writers also pulled from real-world fears of nuclear weapons, rogue agents, and military disarmament following the Cold War.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

While no official alternate ending exists, some deleted scenes include:

• More backstory for Strannix, including deeper ties to the CIA.
• Additional interaction between Ryback and the ship’s crew.
• A toned-down version of the knife fight was filmed but scrapped for being too slow—Seagal insisted on a more brutal finish.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film was novelized by Eden Gross shortly after release, but the book is nearly identical to the screenplay with a few added inner monologues. There is no prior book that the movie was based on—it was an original screenplay.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Strannix’s surprise takeover during the captain’s birthday party.
• Ryback emerging from the meat locker, ready to fight.
• Jordan Tate jumping out of the cake, mid-hijack.
• The knife fight between Ryback and Strannix.

Iconic Quotes

• Ryback: “I’m just a cook.”
• Strannix: “Welcome to the revolution!”
• Krill: “Six months at sea and she still smells like a rose.”
• Ryback (after a kill): “Keep the faith, Strannix.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The name “Ryback” is an homage to a real Navy SEAL trainer known for hand-to-hand combat.
• The crew’s dismissive attitude toward Ryback echoes Die Hard’s underestimation of John McClane.
• Tommy Lee Jones wore his own sunglasses in many scenes—he claimed they helped him get into Strannix’s chaotic mindset.

Trivia

• The film was Steven Seagal’s highest-grossing theatrical release.
• Tommy Lee Jones and director Andrew Davis would reunite the next year on The Fugitive.
• The film’s success helped revive the action thriller genre in the early ‘90s.
• Gary Busey improvised much of his eccentric performance, especially when cross-dressing.

Why Watch?

If you’re a fan of Die Hard-style thrillers, military action, or watching villains get absolutely wrecked by a silent but deadly protagonist, Under Siege delivers. It’s tightly paced, features one of the best villain performances of the decade, and contains some of the most satisfying one-on-one fight scenes in action movie history.

Director’s Other Movies

• The Fugitive (1993)
• Code of Silence (1985)
• Collateral Damage (2002)
• The Guardian (2006)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Die Hard (1988)
• Air Force One (1997)
• Executive Decision (1996)
• Speed (1994)
• The Rock (1996)
• Crimson Tide (1995)
• Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995)