U.S. Marshals (1998) is an action-thriller directed by Stuart Baird and starring Wesley Snipes and Tommy Lee Jones. Serving as a spin-off of The Fugitive (1993), the film follows Deputy U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard as he hunts down a fugitive who may be more victim than criminal. Below is a complete, detailed, and spoiler-filled guide to the film.
Detailed Summary
The Ferry Accident and a Fugitive Revealed
The film begins with a deadly traffic stop in Chicago. An unidentified man escapes capture but is later found traveling under a fake identity, “Mark Warren,” heading to New York. His real name is Mark Sheridan (Wesley Snipes). Sheridan is on a prisoner transport plane when a violent accident forces an emergency crash landing on a ferry. In the chaos, Sheridan escapes into the darkness of the river, becoming a federal fugitive.
Enter Sam Gerard and His Team
Deputy U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones) and his elite team are called in. Gerard, who previously captured Dr. Richard Kimble in The Fugitive, remains a strict believer in law before sympathy. Joining the team is John Royce (Robert Downey Jr.), a young, ambitious government agent whose presence feels suspiciously imposed.
Sheridan’s Mission and Deadly Secrets
As the chase unfolds, Sheridan isn’t just running—he’s trying to uncover the conspiracy that framed him. We learn he worked for a secret government intelligence group and was set up after discovering illegal arms deals. Sheridan is tracking down those responsible while simultaneously trying to survive Gerard’s relentless pursuit.
A Split Hunt: Truth Versus Protocol
Sheridan proves highly skilled in combat, stealth, and espionage, repeatedly outsmarting the Marshals. Gerard gradually realizes Sheridan might not be the cold-blooded killer he’s been labeled as. Royce, however, grows increasingly desperate to eliminate Sheridan, revealing his motives may not align with justice.
Movie Ending
The climax takes place in a cargo loading facility. Sheridan confronts Royce, exposing him as the true conspirator who framed Sheridan for uncovering illegal actions within U.S. intelligence. Royce kills an innocent federal agent and attempts to kill Gerard, hoping to silence the entire matter.
Gerard shoots Royce in self-defense after he tries to murder him and Sheridan. Sheridan refuses to kill Royce himself, reinforcing his innocence and moral compass, despite being hunted like a criminal.
In the aftermath, Gerard acknowledges Sheridan’s innocence. In a quiet handshake, he tells him, “You don’t deserve this. Go on.” Sheridan is released secretly, his name unofficially cleared, while the government covers its scandal. This ending establishes Gerard as a protector of justice, not just law.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, U.S. Marshals has no post-credits scenes. Once the credits roll, the story is complete with no sequel setup.
Type of Movie
The film is a crime action-thriller with investigative mystery elements, driven by intense chases, conspiracies, and moral conflict.
Cast
- Tommy Lee Jones as Deputy U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard
- Wesley Snipes as Mark Sheridan
- Robert Downey Jr. as Special Agent John Royce
- Joe Pantoliano as Cosmo Renfro
- Kate Nelligan as Deputy Marshal Savannah Cooper
- Daniel Roebuck as Bobby Biggs
- LaTanya Richardson as Marshal Savannah Cooper
Film Music and Composer
Score by Jerry Goldsmith, whose tense and rhythmic style enhances the chase sequences and government conspiracy tone. Goldsmith’s music adds urgency and moral weight without overpowering the film’s realism.
Filming Locations and Their Importance
- Chicago, Illinois – Major scenes involving the prisoner transport crash and city chase sequences. The gritty urban aesthetic adds realism.
- New York City – Sheridan’s espionage connections unfold here, symbolizing dense political intrigue.
- Kentucky and Tennessee River areas – Used for the dramatic ferry accident, representing the chaos that frees Sheridan and triggers the plot.
These real-world backdrops contribute to the film’s grounded thriller style.
Awards and Nominations
While not as acclaimed as The Fugitive, the film received praise for action, pacing, and Tommy Lee Jones’ performance. It did not secure major award wins but remained commercially successful and popular among action-thriller fans.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Tommy Lee Jones insisted on keeping Gerard’s personality cold, efficient, and occasionally darkly humorous, avoiding emotional softness.
- Wesley Snipes performed many of his own physical action scenes to make Sheridan’s elite skills believable.
- Robert Downey Jr. deliberately played Royce as charming but subtly untrustworthy, hinting at his betrayal long before the reveal.
- The ferry crash sequence required complex stunt coordination involving water tanks, miniature models, and practical explosion effects combined with CGI.
Inspirations and References
- Inspired by the character continuation from The Fugitive (1993), not a book.
- Themes of conspiracy echo real Cold War-era CIA internal conflicts.
- Sheridan’s backstory references covert operations similar to historical black-ops scandals.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
- An unused ending reportedly featured Sheridan being officially pardoned by the government, but producers removed it to maintain Gerard’s quiet justice approach.
- Deleted interrogation scenes offered more government conspiracy detail but slowed pacing.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Not adapted from a book; however, it serves as a spiritual continuation of Sam Gerard’s character from the film adaptation of the novel The Fugitive. Sheridan’s story is original to the screenplay.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The prisoner transport crash into the river.
- Sheridan disguising himself to escape through a cemetery during a rainstorm.
- Gerard discovering evidence that suggests Sheridan may be innocent.
- Royce’s reveal as the conspirator and the final confrontation.
Iconic Quotes
- Gerard: “I don’t bargain.”
- Sheridan: “I didn’t kill anyone, and I can prove it.”
- Gerard (final words to Sheridan): “Go on.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The film subtly parallels Richard Kimble’s chase arc, but Sheridan is not a victim of mistaken murder—he’s a victim of government betrayal.
- Gerard repeats methods used in The Fugitive, demonstrating consistency in character, not franchise repetition.
Trivia
- Tommy Lee Jones was initially hesitant to return but agreed after seeing the conspiracy-focused script.
- The film marks an early dramatic role for Robert Downey Jr., foreshadowing his later darker roles.
- Wesley Snipes was filming Blade the same year, showcasing two different action-heavy roles.
Why Watch?
Because it’s a smart action-thriller with real consequences, tight suspense, and morally ambiguous twists. Fans who enjoy layered chases and conspiracies will appreciate its grounded, serious tone and excellent performances.
Director’s Other Movies
- Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
- Executive Decision (1996)
Recommended Films for Fans
- The Fugitive (1993)
- Clear and Present Danger (1994)
- Air Force One (1997)
- Enemy of the State (1998)
