Where Under Siege came in Steven Seagal’s back catalogue….

With the first film set in a tower block and the second set around an airport Die Hard 3 was to be set on a boat. At least it would have been if ‘Under Siege’ had not got there first. Released in 1992 the film was the fifth film in as many years for its star Steven Seagal who had quickly established himself as an impressive action star that had started with 1988’s ‘Above the Law (or ‘Nico’ as it was titled in the UK) and would reunite him with director Andrew Davis who had helmed his debut film. Having started off as DoP Davis and the son of actors himself he was establishing himself as a safe and steady pair of hands for actioners. Having found Seagal a down to earth guy he now found the actor’s ego had quickly ballooned into arrogance with an entourage to match. So Davis cleverly cast some equally strong willed actors around him notably the no nonsense Tommy Lee Jones and the certifiably off the wall Gary Busey.

The Under Siege story…..

Under Siege would see Seagal as a chef on a US Battleship’s farewell voyage when a gang of mercenaries hijack the USS Missouri during its farewell voyage, their plan is simple: steal the ship’s nuclear warheads and hold the world to ransom. But they’ve overlooked Seagal who is far more than a cook as he opens up a six pack of whip ass on the gang.

Behind the scenes……

What followed was a great action movie and arguably one of Seagal’s best and certainly most successful with the film earning a respectable $156m. Segal was impressively dangerous being as he was at the time a lean mean fighting machine, rumoured to have been used by the CIA for personal protection detail. Tommy Lee Jones revelled in his character as a kind of rock n roll rebel – something that he had changed from the scripts intended Elton John style figure – and Gary Busey was like, well we all know what Gary Busey is like.  And then of course there was the lone female role Erika Eleniak, fresh off two seasons of Baywatch and appearing here as a Playboy bunny hired to make an appearance to cheer up the on board troops as she burst out of a giant birthday cake and also her jacket in the most memorable scene she’s ever appeared in –  at least for teenage boys it was. But its not quite what it appears according to the 2025 interview with her on the disc and she makes it quite clear that she was heavily leant on to appear topless in the scene in what was a nearly all male crew and cast.

Released now on a limited edition blu-ray the Under Siege disc is well stocked with bonus features that includes:

4K ULTRA HD LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

• Brand new 4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative by Arrow Films approved by director Andrew Davis
  • 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
  • Original lossless stereo audio and a brand new Dolby Atmos mix
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • Brand new audio commentary with director Andrew Davis and writer J.F. Lawton
  • I’m on a Boat (With a Bomb), a newly filmed interview with director Andrew Davis
  • One of the Guys, a newly filmed interview with actor Erika Eleniak
  • A Tight Ship, a newly filmed interview with actor Damian Chapa
  • The Introvision Files, a newly filmed interview with visual effects supervisor William Mesa
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options
  • Collectors’ booklet featuring new writing on the film by Vern and a serial fiction by Martyn Pedler

So what do we think of the disc?

All the features are well worth a look especially the director’s commentary from Davis who, having proved himself an able action director, would go on to helm the Oscar nominated ‘The Fugitive’ (with a stunning train crash set piece) as well as ‘Collateral Damage’ with Schwarzenegger when the action stars film career was taking a distinct down turn.

What it does miss is any contribution for Seagal himself because albeit seemingly completely humourless and apparently now dedicated to turning himself into a human space hopper it would have been entertaining to listen to his inevitably over earnest appraisal of his part in the film. A lack lustre sequel followed two years later but Under Siege remains undoubtedly Seagal’s best film amongst the almost 60 that he has made to date in a declining career he could have salvaged if his ego had allowed him to appear in one of the early Expendables films.

For a notoriously humourless star Under Siege is hugely enjoyable with Busey and Jones relishing their roles in an immensely entertaining film

related feature : ‘Con Air’ director Simon West talks about Nicolas Cage and the making of the film

related feature : ‘The Raid’ director Gareth Evans reveals the ideas behind The Raid 2 action scenes ….

Here’s the Under Siege trailer….