The Siege (1998)
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FBI agents must navigate a escalating series of terrorist attacks in New York City that lead to the declaration of martial law.
The story
FBI Special Agent Anthony Hubbard and his partner Frank Haddad intervene in a bus hijacking involving an explosive device. Following a series of terrorist threats and a deadly suicide bombing in New York City, the FBI captures a man who admits to signing visa applications for a suicide bomber. As the terrorist incidents escalate, including the bombing of a theater and a hostage situation at an elementary school, the destruction of the FBI's New York City field office leads the President to declare martial law. The Army occupies Brooklyn to locate remaining cells, leading to the detention of all young men of Arab descent.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
FBI Special Agent Anthony Hubbard and his partner Frank Haddad intervene in a bus hijacking where the bomb turns out to be a paint bomb. After a series of terrorist attacks and a deadly suicide bombing, the FBI captures Samir Nazhde, who admits to signing visa applications for a suicide bomber. Hubbard's investigation is complicated by CIA operative Elise Kraft, who insists Nazhde is not a terrorist. The situation escalates with a theater bombing, a school hostage situation, and the destruction of the FBI's New York City field office, resulting in over 600 casualties. The President declares martial law, and the Army occupies Brooklyn, detaining all young men of Arab descent. Hubbard and Kraft (revealed as Sharon Bridger) continue their investigation, capturing Tariq Husseini, who is subsequently tortured and killed by Major General William Devereaux. Bridger confesses to having provided support to militants who were later left to escape to the U.S. after being abandoned by Saddam Hussein's regime. Hubbard and Haddad eventually arrange a meeting with the final terrorist cell. Samir Nazhde reveals he is the final bomber and attempts to detonate a bomb during a peace march. Hubbard and Haddad stop him, but Bridger is shot and dies. Finally, Hubbard and Haddad raid the Army headquarters to arrest Devereaux for torture and unauthorized confinement. After a standoff, Devereaux submits to arrest, martial law ends, and the detainees are freed.
- First release year
- 1998
- Runtime (minutes)
- 116
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Edward Zwick
- Writers
- Lawrence Wright · screenplay; Menno Meyjes · screenplay; Edward Zwick · screenplay; Lawrence Wright · story
- Cast and characters
- Denzel Washington · Anthony 'Hub' Hubbard; Annette Bening · Sharon Bridger / Elise Kraft; Bruce Willis · William Devereaux; Tony Shalhoub · Frank Haddad; Aasif Mandvi · Khalil Saleh; Amro Salama · Tariq Husseini; Sami Bouajila · Samir Nazhde; Ahmed Ben Larby · Sheik Akhmed Bin Talal
- Genres
- action; thriller
- Themes
- terrorism; martial law; civil liberties; racial profiling
- Tone and mood
- tense; serious; action-packed
- Premise and plot tags
- FBI; CIA; Terrorism; Military Occupation; Martial Law
- Source material / true-story basis
- Bang
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics and was a box office disappointment, though it performed slightly better internationally.
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Raspberry Award · Worst Actor · win
- Production trivia
- The film was originally titled Martial Law.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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