Under Siege 2: Dark Territory
A passenger train has been hijacked by an electronics expert and turned into an untraceable command center for a weapons satellite. He has planned to blow up Washington DC and only one man can stop him, former Navy SEAL Casey Ryback.
Working with a respectable budget of $60.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $104.3M in global revenue (+74% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995) exhibits strategically placed story structure, characteristic of Geoff Murphy's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 39 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Casey Ryback boards a train with his niece Sarah for a peaceful trip to Los Angeles, having left his Navy SEAL life behind to become a civilian cook grieving his brother's death.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Terrorists led by Penn seize control of the train, killing the crew and revealing their plan. Casey witnesses the takeover beginning when he encounters armed mercenaries in the corridor.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Casey makes his first move against the terrorists, taking out guards and making the active choice to engage in combat to save the passengers rather than remaining hidden, fully committing to being a warrior again., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Travis Dane successfully demonstrates his satellite weapon Grazer by destroying a weapons plant, proving the threat is real. The stakes escalate as the Pentagon and government realize they're powerless to stop him, and Penn intensifies efforts to find Casey., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Casey is captured and beaten, Sarah is held at gunpoint, and Dane initiates the final sequence to destroy the Pentagon. All seems lost as Casey is restrained and helpless while the countdown begins, representing his darkest moment of failure., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 79 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Casey breaks free using improvised tactics and information he's gathered. He synthesizes his SEAL training with knowledge of the train and satellite system, gaining clarity on how to stop Dane and save Sarah simultaneously., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Under Siege 2: Dark Territory's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Under Siege 2: Dark Territory against these established plot points, we can identify how Geoff Murphy utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Under Siege 2: Dark Territory within the action genre.
Geoff Murphy's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Geoff Murphy films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Under Siege 2: Dark Territory takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Geoff Murphy filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Geoff Murphy analyses, see Freejack, Young Guns II.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Casey Ryback boards a train with his niece Sarah for a peaceful trip to Los Angeles, having left his Navy SEAL life behind to become a civilian cook grieving his brother's death.
Theme
A passenger mentions that sometimes you can't escape who you really are, hinting at the theme that one's true nature and skills will eventually be called upon regardless of attempts to live quietly.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the train setting, Casey's strained relationship with rebellious niece Sarah, introduction of passengers and staff. Simultaneously, villain Travis Dane and mercenaries led by Penn board the train disguised as staff, carrying hidden weapons and satellite hijacking equipment.
Disruption
Terrorists led by Penn seize control of the train, killing the crew and revealing their plan. Casey witnesses the takeover beginning when he encounters armed mercenaries in the corridor.
Resistance
Casey initially hides and debates intervention, wanting to protect Sarah without revealing himself. He observes the terrorists' operations, discovers their satellite equipment, and reluctantly realizes he must act when passengers are threatened and he learns the scale of their plan.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Casey makes his first move against the terrorists, taking out guards and making the active choice to engage in combat to save the passengers rather than remaining hidden, fully committing to being a warrior again.
Mirror World
Casey connects with porter Bobby Zachs, a young man who becomes his ally. Their partnership represents the mentor relationship and teamwork that contrasts Casey's lone wolf tendencies, teaching him he can't do everything alone.
Premise
Cat-and-mouse action throughout the train as Casey sabotages terrorist operations, rescues hostages, and fights mercenaries. The promise of the premise: Die Hard on a train with a skilled SEAL taking down bad guys one by one while uncovering the satellite weapon plot.
Midpoint
Travis Dane successfully demonstrates his satellite weapon Grazer by destroying a weapons plant, proving the threat is real. The stakes escalate as the Pentagon and government realize they're powerless to stop him, and Penn intensifies efforts to find Casey.
Opposition
Terrorists close in on Casey's location, Sarah is captured and used as leverage, Bobby is injured, and Dane prepares to destroy Washington D.C. Casey's attempts to stop the satellite or contact help are repeatedly thwarted as his options narrow.
Collapse
Casey is captured and beaten, Sarah is held at gunpoint, and Dane initiates the final sequence to destroy the Pentagon. All seems lost as Casey is restrained and helpless while the countdown begins, representing his darkest moment of failure.
Crisis
Casey faces his moment of despair while beaten and bound, processing the apparent inevitability of mass death and his failure to protect Sarah. He must find inner resolve despite physical defeat.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Casey breaks free using improvised tactics and information he's gathered. He synthesizes his SEAL training with knowledge of the train and satellite system, gaining clarity on how to stop Dane and save Sarah simultaneously.
Synthesis
Casey fights through remaining mercenaries to reach the satellite control room, confronts and kills Penn, rescues Sarah, and battles Dane. He destroys the satellite controls and causes the train to derail, ensuring Dane's weapon is permanently disabled.
Transformation
Casey and Sarah embrace in the wreckage, their relationship healed. He has accepted that he is a protector and warrior, no longer running from his identity, while Sarah has gained respect for his sacrifice and heroism.