On Deadly Ground (1994)

A mystical martial artist/environmental Agent takes on a ruthless oil corporation.

Director:

Steven Seagal

Writers:

Ed Horowitz, Robin U. Russin

Stars:

Steven Seagal, Michael Caine, Joan Chen

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steven Seagal	...	Forrest Taft
Michael Caine	...	Michael Jennings
Joan Chen	...	Masu
John C. McGinley	...	MacGruder
R. Lee Ermey	...	Stone
Shari Shattuck	...	Liles
Billy Bob Thornton	...	Homer Carlton
Richard Hamilton	...	Hugh Palmer
Chief Irvin Brink	...	Silook
Apanguluk Charlie Kairaiuak	...	Tunrak
Elsie Pistolhead	...	Takanapsaluk
John Trudell	...	Johnny Redfeather
Mike Starr	...	Big Mike
Sven-Ole Thorsen	...	Otto (as Swen-Ole Thorsen)
Jules Desjarlais	...	Drunken Eskimo

Storyline

Forrest Taft (Steven Seagal) is an environmental Agent who works for the Aegis Oil Company in Alaska. Aegis Oil's corrupt C.E.O., Michael Jennings (Sir Michael Caine), is the kind of person who doesn't care whether or not oil spills into the ocean or onto the land, just as long as it's making money for him. He even makes commercials that make him look like he cares about the environment. Jennings is almost finished with building his new state-of-the art oil rig: AEGIS-1. The problem is that if he doesn't finish building the rig in thirteen days, the land rights will be returned to the Eskimos and the Alaskan Government. When Jennings finds out that Taft's best friend Hugh Palmer (Richard Hamilton) has a computer disk that contains information about defective equipment on AEGIS-1, he sends out his goons to murder Palmer. When Taft tries to interfere, Jennings tries to kill Taft. But an Eskimo woman named Masu (Joan Chen), who introduces Taft to her father Silook (Chief Irvin Brink), ...

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Plot Keywords:

oil | environmental | murder | tribe | oil spill | 

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Taglines:

His Battle To Save The Alaskan Wilderness And Protect Its People Can Only Be Won...

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Inuktitut

Release Date:

18 February 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rainbow Warrior

Filming Locations:

Carson, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$12,679,573, 21 February 1994, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$38,590,500

Company Credits

Production Co:

Seagal/Nasso Productions, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sir Anthony Hopkins and Alan Rickman were wanted for the role of Michael Jennings, before Sir Michael Caine stepped in.

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Goofs

When MacGruder tortured Hugh in the cabin, blood was everywhere. When Forest goes back to Hugh's cabin, there is not a drop of blood anywhere.

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Quotes

Forrest Taft: [after beating Big Mike on the hands slap game] What does it take, what does it take to change the essence of a man?
Big Mike: I need time to change... I need time.
Forrest Taft: I do too.

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Crazy Credits

The first half of the end credits run over images of Alaska and its various wildlife, until we see Forrest Taft & Masu in a canoe, with Taft pointing out to Masu, a crow in front of them circling over the water (supposedly meant to be Silook in another form)

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Alternate Versions

German TV and Retail-Video/DVD Versions are cut to reduce violence. The uncut Version is available on Rental-Video and DVD.

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Connections

Referenced in Nostalgia Critic: Forest Warrior (2014)

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Soundtracks

HARD WORKIN' MAN
Written by Ronnie Dunn
Performed by Brooks & Dunn
Courtesy of Arista Records, Inc.

User Reviews

Loaded with thrills, chills, and kills, On Deadly Ground is an action fan's dream!

After I had completed my reading of the book, "Steven Seagal, the man, the myth, the legend", I had become interested in his work outside of the laboratory, back when he was paying his way through M.I.T. by appearing in the occasional action film. And what an introduction it was. On Deadly Ground is pulse-pounding, senses-shattering, tear-jerking masterpiece of the action genre, with ample amounts of social commentary and slapstick comedy added to make this a celluloid gumbo of extreme potency. Although this was originally an off-broadway show, Steven Seagal's deft hand carefully eliminted what didn't work, and added several original musical numbers to give this film his distinct signature. It works on several levels, as a showcase for Seagal's undeniable breakdancing skills, a message film, bringing the plight of our eskimo brethren into our own living rooms, and as an edge of your seat thriller, with a penguin stampede that will have you quaking in your seat. A top-notch entry in the Seagal canon, and a truly amazing directorial debut from the man who bent the atom to his will.