| The Siege |  | Director: Edward Zwick
Actors: Denzel Washington, Annette Bening, Bruce Willis, Tony Shalhoub, Sami Bouajila
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
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Rating:  130 reviews
Sales Rank: 162570
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 604 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
UPC: 024543010937
EAN: 0024543010937
ASIN: B0007CILWA
Theatrical Release Date: November 6, 1998
Release Date: August 21, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com
A high-profile action/exploitation thriller set in the present, The Siege is really a fantasy that extrapolates from major terrorist attacks. Denzel Washington is FBI special agent Hubbard, "Hub" to his friends, whose anti-terrorist task force must track down the terrorist cells responsible for a spate of bombings in New York. His partner is an FBI agent of Arabian extraction (played convincingly by Tony Shalhoub), proving not all Arabs are bad guys--a point the film should be lauded for making again and again. Thrown into the mix is a CIA spy (played almost kittenish at times by Annette Bening), whose ties to the terrorists appear to be at the center of the conflicts. When the bombings escalate out of control, the President institutes martial law, sending in General Devereaux (played with impenetrable countenance by Bruce Willis) with tanks and troops to ferret out the terrorists. Echoes of Japanese-Americans in internment camps ring out as Arabs, including the son of the Arab-American FBI agent, are herded into a stadium. Periodic audio-montages of "man in the street" sentiments anchor the material in the present and show how serious and relevant the material is. But finally what we have is a taut and entertaining popcorn movie, giving itself the humanistic nod when it can. --Jim Gay
Description
When a crowded city bus blows up in Brooklyn and a campaign of terror begins to make it's bloody mark on the streets of New York, it's up to FBI special agent Anthony "Hub" Hubbard (Washington) and U.S. Army General William Devereaux (Willis) to find out who's responsible and put an end to the destruction. Together, they face explosive danger at every turn when they team up towage an all-out war against a ruthless band of terrorists.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 130
 The Siege January 4, 2010
Arnita D. Brown (USA)
A special agent of the FBI, a case officer of the CIA, and a general in the U.S. Army have all taken the same oath--"to support and defend the Constitution." But when a bus blows up in Brooklyn and campaign of terror begins to make its bloody mark on the streets of New York City, the men and women who have sworn to protect the country must now reckon with the many implications of their oath. Anthony "Hub" Hubbard, the head of the Joint FBI/NYPD Terrorism Task Force, is the man charged with keeping the city safe from an array of threats that seem to grow more terrifying with every headline. Elise Kraft is a CIA operative, now undercover, with important sources in the Arab-American community and ambiguous ties to the suspects. Her agenda, like that of her government's foreign policy, is more complex than Hub's. And yet these two are forced to work together, forging an uneasy alliance, as the incidents of terror threaten to paralyze the city under siege. Very good movie with great acting. I love Denzel and Annette together. Bruce also did a fine job in this movie. Dealt with true to life issues and the efforts of people trying protect the US.
 POLITICAL FANTASY-HOLLYWOOD STYLE November 27, 2009
drkhimxz (Freehold, NJ, USA)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Now let me see if I have this straight, President Clinton (playing himself as shown in newsreels) orders Federal troops into Brooklyn and has their commanding officer declare martial law. Meanwhile a CIA agent, entirely on her own, is "handling" an Arab terrorist, despite laws preventing such activity on American soil, while the local FBI agent, is conspiring to subvert the President's delegated Army Commander, so far as is shown, without consultation with the President's FBI Director. Meanwhile, the New York City police are apparently on vacation since they appear to be playing no investigative or other law enforcement role, apparently quite content to let the single CIA agent and the FBI station chief take all authority for law and order in the city. Meanwhile........................
Of course, the film was created subsequent to the first World Trade Center bombing and before the second air attack on 9/11. Of course, it is a work of fiction not a documentary. Of course, it is Denzil Washington's film so it is only reasonable that he be granted leeway to do just about anything screen writers can think of to have him do. Of course, he gets to make a number of noble speeches irrelevant to the dramatic situation at the time. Of course, the villain is a peculiar villain being accused of a power grab when he is shown multiple times standing up to higher authority at risk to his own career to reject being given that power.
A number of good actors were buried in this quagmire, notably Denzil Washington and Bruce Willis (who must have owed the producer or director a favor if he took this papier-mache role). The others pretty much do the best that they can with what they have to work with.
 Will You Like "24"? This Film Is Great Determinant August 2, 2009
Zachary Koenig (Fergus Falls, MN)
While watching this film for the second time about a week or so ago, the first thought that came to my mind was "Wow, this is exactly the kind of political/dramatic intrigue that the TV series '24' tries to accomplish each and every episode". A weaving of action, political subject matter, and gut-wrenching emotional moments puts "The Siege" up towards the top of my list (just below "A Few Good Men") of politically-based thrillers.
The basic plot of the film centers on a terrorist cell that launches a series of attacks based in New York City. Denzel Washington plays a government agent given the task of coordinating the effort to subdue the terrorism, while Bruce Willis is the military general brought onto the scene when the situation begins spiraling out of control. It is rather remarkable that this film was actually made BEFORE 9/11, as it deals with some of the exact same subject matter, including the reaction to terrorism, internment camps (this time for Muslim-Americans), and the ideological clash between the Eastern and Western world.
Acting-wise, Washington is at his brooding, intense best throughout the entire movie, culminating with his "bend the law, shred the constitution" speech when dealing with the issue of torture. Willis' military character is actually sorely underutilized, yet provides the perfect antithesis (but not antagonist) to Washington. Annette Bening is the other primary lead character, and she also gives a competent (if not over-the-top at times) performance.
About the only reason I give this film four stars instead of five is because, although it is compelling, it falls well short of the mark now set by "24" which provides just as much political drama/action in a arc of episodes as this movie does in its entire runtime (although that is more of an affirmation of 24's genius than this film's shortcomings). If you are a fan of political films that will really make you think, you will heartily enjoy the entire experience. Plus, it could be your stepping-stone to an entirely new saga of political drama..."24".
Will You Like "24"? This Film Is A Great Determinant August 2, 2009
Zachary Koenig (Fergus Falls, MN)
While watching this film for the second time about a week or so ago, the first thought that came to my mind was "Wow, this is exactly the kind of political/dramatic intrigue that the TV series '24' tries to accomplish each and every episode". A weaving of action, political subject matter, and gut-wrenching emotional moments puts "The Siege" up towards the top of my list (just below "A Few Good Men") of politically-based thrillers.
The basic plot of the film centers on a terrorist cell that launches a series of attacks based in New York City. Denzel Washington plays a government agent given the task of coordinating the effort to subdue the terrorism, while Bruce Willis is the military general brought onto the scene when the situation begins spiraling out of control. It is rather remarkable that this film was actually made BEFORE 9/11, as it deals with some of the exact same subject matter, including the reaction to terrorism, internment camps (this time for Muslim-Americans), and the ideological clash between the Eastern and Western world.
Acting-wise, Washington is at his brooding, intense best throughout the entire movie, culminating with his "bend the law, shred the constitution" speech when dealing with the issue of torture. Willis' military character is actually sorely underutilized, yet provides the perfect antithesis (but not antagonist) to Washington. Annette Bening is the other primary lead character, and she also gives a competent (if not over-the-top at times) performance.
About the only reason I give this film four stars instead of five is because, although it is compelling, it falls well short of the mark now set by "24" which provides just as much political drama/action in a arc of episodes as this movie does in its entire runtime (although that is more of an affirmation of 24's genius than this film's shortcomings). If you are a fan of political films that will really make you think, you will heartily enjoy the entire experience. Plus, it could be your stepping-stone to an entirely new saga of political drama..."24".
A Politically muddled film, though striking at times July 1, 2009
Alexander M. Walker (Chicago, IL USA)
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
You could make sound arguments for hating or respecting The Siege. It pretends to cast a casual warning against religious extremism yet narrowly focuses on the religion which Americans already had firm worries about even before September 11, 2001. Islam had long been identified as a religion of fanatics within the American press and Hollywood had been all too happy to bolster that reputation with countless films long before The Siege ever came into play. So why does Fox hail its film as "eerily prescient"? Because they happened to put out a starkly realistic and ruthless portrayal of terrorism two years prior to 9/11. It may have its share of striking and wrenching moments, but have no doubt about it, The Siege requires shock to be effective.
The Siege starts with an all too literal bang. FBI Agent Hubbard (Denzel Washington) arrives on the scene of a bus being held captive by men armed with explosives. After a similar event the week before turned out to be nothing but a fluke, the situation seems well under control. Tailed by Elise Kraft (Annette Bening) and his partner Agent Haddad (Tony Shalhoub), Hubbard attempts to negotiate safe passage for the bus's passengers. First the children are released. There seems to be hope. Then, as he's midway through the release of the oldest riders - the bus explodes.
Director Edward Zwick paces certain parts of the film with phenomenal judgment. Many events are genuinely unexpected and even as the plot of the film becomes clear, each act of terrorism perpetrated retains the fresh and traumatic air that such an act should hold. On that note, The Siege excels. It takes the portrayal of terrorism to a place film often seems too timid to venture. For the first half of the film, The Siege maintains a clean stance on the pressures of terrorism and a general separation of ethnic stereotyping and terrorism trends. But all of that falls to pieces in the end.
The story attempts to keep itself free and clear of stereotyping all Muslims as terrorists by including Haddad as Hubbard's partner. Unfortunately, in order to make Haddad more palatable and acceptable as a partner in an American bureau, his adherence to Islam is extremely loose as he's shown to drink and generally live a life no different from a non-Muslim. In any other circumstance this portrayal would be fine - but when Haddad's presence on Hubbard's side is meant to say "See? Not all Muslim's are terrorists!" his lack of conviction to Islam makes that argument invalid. Instead, we're left with the impression that all true Muslims would find outrage at the extravagance of American life and seek the country's downfall. This just isn't true. But you wouldn't know it from the way the Islamic rites of cleansing are intertwined so blatantly with the acts or words of terrorism which follow them.
It's a near impossible line to walk without stepping too far over into one side. Had Zwick strayed too far in the other direction his film would have been neutered and devoid of any real emotion or passion. If The Siege had gone the other direction and had no qualms about vilifying Islam the film would be nothing but a slander piece worthy of public disdain and derision. Zwick walked the necessary line, but not without straying a bit into some dangerous territory. With such a strong issue at stake, it makes the storyline of Major Devereaux (Bruce Willis) establishing martial law within New York City seems unnecessary and a bit off the point. Bruce Willis's storyline makes it seem like The Siege realized it was peddling a dangerous sentiment and wanted to distract away from it with a wholly unrelated commentary on the abuse of military power.
Blu-ray Extra Features:
For such a volatile film it's a genuine shame that there's not even a director's commentary from Zwick or writer Lawrence Wright. In fact, there's nothing on the disc at all besides the film.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 130
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