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Denzel Washington, Annette Bening, Bruce Willis, Tony Shalhoub, Mark Valley ... see more see more... , David Proval , Sami Bouajila

Edward Zwick directed this action thriller about Islamic militants unleashing terrorism in New York City. As FBI Terrorism Task Force-chief Anthony Hubbard (Denzel Washington) investigates, a false-al... read more read more...arm bomb threat is followed by a legit bomb, with many killed when a Brooklyn bus explodes. Agents track a suspect through Brooklyn, while Hub teams with Middle East expert and NSA operative Elise Kraft (Annette Bening). After the FBI wipes out three Arabs in a Brooklyn apartment, an explosion in a Broadway theater is followed by attacks on a school and FBI headquarters. When the President declares martial law, neo-fascist Army General William Devereaux (Bruce Willis) swings into action, deploying tanks through Brooklyn, capturing Arab-American males, and herding them into an open-air stadium detention camp. Hub's Arab-American FBI associate Frank Haddad (Tony Shalhoub) is disgusted and quits when his son becomes one of the Arab detainees. With the Army out of control, the power-crazed Devereaux devises plans for torture and murder, turning his attention to Hub and Elise. President Bill Clinton is seen denouncing terrorists in TV clips. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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56% liked it

51,421 ratings

Critics

45% liked it

60 critics

R, 2 hr.

Directed by: Edward Zwick

Release Date: November 6, 1998

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DVD Release Date: April 20, 1999

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Stats: 1,397 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,397)

  • fb7018436
    January 4, 2012
    fb7018436
    Somehow most fail to realize that if the lead character had stayed out of the CIA and military's way thousands of lives could have been saved. The directors attempt to stick it to the man backfires spectacularly and ends up making himself and the movie look childish and reeking o... read moref pseudo-intellectualism.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    December 12, 2010
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Edward Zwick has got to be the most underrated director in Hollywood. He has crafted some terrific films that unfortunately don't get the praise that they deserve. This is very much so the case with The Siege. After a Terrorist is secretly captured by the U.S, terrorist cells sta... read morert a wave of terror attacks in New York City. First it's a bus, then it's theatre, then it's a hostage situation, after that it's the bombing of the FBI's counter terrorism New York headquarters. After these attacks, the President implements martial law in New York. I don't understand why this film has gotten so many bad reviews. Most of the reviewers hate the film for the wrong reasons. A little more than twelve years after it's initial release in cinema's, The Siege is relevant. Due because of the 9/11 attacks. Denzel Washington and Annette Bening give great performances. But one of the best here alongside Denzel Washington is Bruce Willis as General Williamn Devereaux, Willis is one cruel antagonist as his character takes control of the city through martial law and kills an American Citizen. The aspect of the film that stood out was Washington's performance and when he butts heads with Willis on screen, the mood gets very tense. Both actors are solid and with every seen they're in, it makes this film more thrilling. The film is not flawless by any means, however the story should appeal to everyone thats interested in Action / Thrillers dealing with terrorism. Considering that in September 2001, Al Qaeda carried out it's attacks on the World Trade Centre, The Siege can now be seen as almost a warning to what was to really come. A prophetic film, The Siege is a top notch action /thriller that delivers a relevant message. And considering that 9/11 happened, the events in the film though fictional would 3 years later after it's initial release be true. An underrated film.
  • matertenebraum
    August 5, 2010
    matertenebraum
    The Siege is a film that, I believe, has been misunderstood and underrated. Much criticism has been levelled at the movie by Arab and Islamic groups, due to its allegedly offensive portrayal of Arabs as Islamic fundamentalists. Particular attention is directed to the events which... read more occur when martial law is declared: the army, led by General William Devereaux (Willis) take control of Brooklyn and lock up all young Arabs who fit the potential profile of the terrorist attackers.

    This event, however, is shown to be wrong and a clear subversion of human rights. The film is especially engaging because of the manner in which it is clearly based on a number of real-life events - from the bombing of the US Army base at Dhahran which opens the movie, to the alleged terrorist networks run by Osama bin Laden, to the role of covert US activities in creating and perpetuating terrorism.

    Washington's character, FBI Agent Anthony Hubbard, considers himself to be a force for universal good. However, nothing in this film is clear-cut: while he criticises the army's activities for their infringements on personal freedoms, we realise that his own investigation is also likely to lead to infringements, albeit of a less visible and painful degree.

    Not only is this movie interesting and thought-provoking for anyone with an interest in the issues it raises, it is also superbly acted by all involved, and well paced and executed by director Zwick.

    On the whole: a film that raises interesting questions, gives some fairly clear answers, but leaves many smaller issues open for the audience to think about and consider on their own.
  • thmtsang
    March 1, 2010
    thmtsang
    Interesting movie about terrorist threats that bring a city under siege. Denzel is the good guy looking for the terrorist cell. Bruce is the bad military guy who uses all means, including torture and segregation to intimidate and terrorise people to get his own way. It is sad to ... read morethink that after 9/11 this could really happen. There are laws in place to go beyond the law for the greater good.
  • SirPant
    September 24, 2009
    SirPant
    It started well but I lost interest towards the end!
  • TheMachinist
    September 11, 2008
    TheMachinist
    A pretty decent thriller but it's predictable and easily forgotten. On the bright side the idea for the movie was good and pretty realistic with all the pre 9/11 scenarios.

    The main problem in the casting was Annette Bening as the CIA agent. Didn't fit the role but Denzel roc... read moreked again.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    March 30, 2008
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    So, this film is basically about a terrorist group wreaking havoc in New York city, FBI Agent Hub (Denzel Washington) and CIA Operative Elise (Annette Benning) must thwart the evil plans of the terrorists before time runs out.

    Sounds like a good premise? Yes it does sound good b... read moreut it lacks in the creative side. Edward Zwick failed to entertain me for a rough two hours and I think it is because its all just black propaganda. He made this film to not entertain the audience but to deliver a strong message: Racism is bad.

    Its all two hours of delivering this message to the audience and some people just don't dig it like me. I mean, I get it man, racism is evil, you don't have to make a movie about it.

    As usual, Denzel Washington was as brill as ever and his performance really stood out in a film like this. I think Annette Benning was wrongly cast because she is just not fit as a CIA operative. I liked her in 'American Beauty' as a disgruntled housewife but not in this one. Bruce Willis' total screentime is at an estimated 40 minutes and I didn't see him. He was completely overshadowed by Denzel's performance.

    The good thing about this film is Denzel Washington. The bad: Everything. Not really recommended.
  • tsigur
    December 10, 2007
    tsigur
    Again, Denzel could read the phone book and I would show up.
  • allan913
    November 29, 2007
    allan913
    It's riveting, compelling, shocking, powerful and purely exciting thriller. Packed with nerve-jangling tension and explosive action. It's as real as it is terifying. Intense and unforgettable. A tremendous action-thriller with a serious emotional punch. Chilling and exhilerating ... read morethroughout. An awsome cast. Denzel Washington is brilliant. Annete Benning is marvelous. Bruce Willis is teriffic. Tony Shaloub is a revelation.
  • garyX
    November 15, 2007
    garyX
    Hollywood's new favourite bad guys, Islamic terrorists, make a series of attacks on New York City, and FBI agent Denzel Washington squabbles with NSC agent Annette Bening over jurisdiction while trying to find and catch them. All very well, but then Bruce Willis' "renegade" gener... read moreal steps in to occupy the city and I begin to smell a political fish. With rent-a-Democrat Denzel accompanied by loyal and patriotic Arab-American sidekick Tony Shalhoub, quotes from the constitution and Bill Clinton soundbites it all looks very worthy and even-handed. But if you read between the lines, it's basically saying that if patriotic Americans don't let their country's heroic spooks do their job (ie do whatever they want) then the jar-head Gestapo will have to call martial law. So life imitates art as the military are made scapegoats for the mistreatment of Islamic prisoners, and the politicians and makers of American foreign policy are nowhere to be seen. Convenient. As for the "thriller" aspect, it's efficiently done, but more than a little dull. There are the usual explosions, complete with button pushing slo-mo aftermaths full of weeping, bloodied women and children and Denzel occasionally gambols around, gun in hand but ultimately it's rather less exciting than your average episode of 24. And if it's brains you want try Syriana, because this manages to be both simplistic AND dull. So it definitely IS a lose-lose situation...

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Critic Reviews

Peter Travers
May 11, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

It's difficult to sustain a responsible subtext when you're delivering the jolts required to keep butts in the seats.

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Even at its most unbelievable, The Siege has the performances of Washington and Bening to fall back on, and a theme that understands that what's difficult is not choosing right from wrong but 'choosin... Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

The Siege is many things at once: tense, exciting, disturbing, and thought provoking. Full Review

Susan Stark
January 1, 2000
Susan Stark, Detroit News

[Benning] is the only fresh, compelling character in the film. Full Review

Stanley Kauffmann
January 1, 2000
Stanley Kauffmann, New Republic

Just about distinguishable from several dozen predecessors in the same apocalyptic vein.

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Washington and Ms. Bening play smart, interesting characters who never quite connect, while Willis turns himself into the loosest military cannon this side of Dr. Strangelove. Full Review

Joe Baltake
January 1, 2000
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Wildly schizoid, The Siege manages the feat of being both intelligent and irresponsible, serious and silly. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The prejudicial attitudes embodied in the film are insidious, like the anti-Semitism that infected fiction and journalism in the 1930s--not just in Germany, but in Britain and America. Full Review

(CNN.com) Paul Clinton
January 1, 2000
(CNN.com) Paul Clinton, CNN.com

Typical summer popcorn fare. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The script is too muddled to be remedied by vigorous filmmaking. Full Review

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