Where was On Deadly Ground filmed?
1994
City Locations
Carson, Alaska, Washington
Location Types
Nature, Offices, Film Studio
Location Styles
Factory/Manufacturing, Industrial, Mountain Huts, Oil Refinery
About On Deadly Ground
On Deadly Ground is a 1994 American environmental action adventure film directed, co-produced by, and starring Steven Seagal, and co-starring John C. McGinley, Joan Chen, Michael Caine, and R. Lee Ermey. It is Seagal's only directorial effort and features a minor appearance by Billy Bob Thornton in one of his early roles.
The movie follows the story of Forrest Taft (Seagal), an expert firefighter who decides to take matters into his own hands when he discovers the ruthless Jennings (Michael Caine) - a corrupt company owner - plans on opening a new refinery in Alaska that would cause massive destruction to the natural environment.
Forrest gets chosen as the savior of the Eskimos by their chief when they learn of Jennings' plans and his mission is to prevent the refinery from becoming operational before their land rights are returned to them. With help from a local journalist (Joan Chen), Forrest embarks on a mission to save the environment from destruction whilst facing off against those who stand in his way including Jennings' ruthless henchmen led by Morris Toombs (John C. McGinley).
Forrest must also contend with Jennings' right-hand man Mace (R. Lee Ermey) whose immense loyalty makes him virtually unstoppable. The movie culminates in a dramatic showdown between Forrest and Mace on top of an oil tanker where Forrest must use all his skills and guile as a firefighter to come out victorious against this unshakeable foe.
Alongside being an entertaining action thriller, On Deadly Ground serves as an important reminder about the need for socio-environmental justice that comes entwined with issues concerning corporate greed and power dynamics between companies and indigenous communities worldwide.
On Deadly Ground Locations
The On Deadly Ground production process took place on location, with several regions of the United States including California, Washington, Wyoming, and Alaska serving as film sets. The result is not only a captivating story but a movie that also exemplifies the rugged beauty of some of America's most remote and picturesque locations.
Much of the movie was filmed in Carson, California which served as the backdrop for many scenes of the coastal Pacific Northwest. The city is situated on the coast and encased by natural beauty, including rolling hills, beautiful beaches, and towering trees that paint a postcard-perfect picture for viewers to admire.
Although most of the interior shots were filmed in a studio backlot in Los Angeles, outdoor scenes such as those involving oil rigs or helicopters, used Carson as their filming location.
Other scenes were filmed in Wenatchee National Forest located in Washington state. This magnificent forest boasts stunning snow-capped peaks surrounded by lush coniferous forests that provide spectacular views during any season. It's easy to see why the filmmakers chose this location to capture the beauty and drama of On Deadly Ground; its majestic landscape serves as a powerful backdrop to amplify the suspenseful tone set forth by this action-packed movie.
Other On Deadly Ground filming locations included Cody, Wyoming which provided desert scenery reminiscent of Utah, Valdez, Alaska provided the setting of sun-drenched sea coast vistas while Nome, Alaska showcased icy tundras. Seattle Washington highlighted its urban hustle and bustle, Worthington Glacier showcased its breathtaking glaciers, and the snow-covered mountains at the Anaktuvuk Pass, located within the Gates Of The Arctic National Park, offered panoramic views for miles around.
Today these incredible locales can be visited to experience firsthand much like Seagal did when filming On Deadly Ground nearly 25 years ago! Visitors can explore awe-inspiring landscapes that are sure to make one feel humbled amidst nature’s grandeur while also sparking nostalgia for this iconic action-packed classic.
Oil refinery fire scene in On Deadly Ground
24721 Main Street, Carson, California, USA
Aegis Oil, whose operations in Alaska have been increasingly damaging to the environment and receiving major pushback from locals, must activate their biggest refinery platform Aegis 1 within a strict deadline. The stakes are even higher because they risk losing all of the oil production rights they purchased 20 years prior from the local Tribal Council.
CEO Michael Jennings (Caine) disregards safety protocol by forcing his workers to use substandard parts in order for him to meet this looming due date despite multiple delays, as a result, a fire breaks out in the plant. Fletcher Oil Refinery, one of the oldest and most respected oil refineries in the United States, provided the setting for these scenes.
Established in 1891, the plant has provided top-quality petroleum products to customers for over a century. The refinery is located in northern Louisiana on a sprawling 400-acre plot of land, bordering both Lake Charles and Sabine River.
At its peak operations, Fletcher Oil Refinery employed over 500 people and ran 24 hours a day.
The closest bus stop that will get you to the location is Main Street & Wilmington Boulevard at Lomita Boulevard. After you disembark, take a six-minute stroll (0.3 miles) north on Wilmington towards W Lomita Blvd and make a left onto the street. Finally, turn right and you'll reach your destination.
A vision quest scene in On Deadly Ground
3210 Old River Rd, Naches, WA, USA
Against all odds, Taft narrowly survives the explosion and is saved by Masu (Joan Chen) - Silook's daughter and chief of an Inuit tribe. After hearing his plea for redemption, Silook (Chief Irvin Brink) invites Taft to embark on a vision quest; one that unveils the horrifying truth he was hiding from himself.
The Aegis security team shows up in their desperate attempt to capture him. When they come across Taft's allies, who refuse to cooperate with them, MacGruder (John C. McGinley) fatally shoots Silook right before Taft returns home. As he holds him in his arms until his last breath, he swears vengeance against Aegis and promises justice will be served soon enough.
The Inuit tribe lives in the forest, and all the landscape shots were filmed in Wenatchee National Forest. Located in Washington, with an area of 1.7 million acres and extending nearly 137 miles, this forest is the perfect backdrop for anyone looking to unplug and reconnect with nature.
To get to Boulder Cave Trail from Wenatchee, take S Mission St and WA-285 N/N Wenatchee Ave for 8 minutes (3.7 mi) until you reach US-97 S/U.S. Proceed onto I-82 E, US-12 W, and WA-410 W where a scenic two-hour twenty-four-minute drive awaits. Afterward, turn off NF 1704/Old River Road after 5 minutes of traveling (1.2 mi), and your destination – the gorgeous Boulder Cave Trail - will be just moments away.
Taft`s speech scene in On Deadly Ground
120 4th St, Juneau, AK, USA
At the end of the film, Taft delivers a passionate and inspiring speech at the Alaska State Capitol about the dangers of oil pollution and how corporations are endangering our precious ecosystem. He starts off by talking about how these companies are recklessly spewing pollutants into our air, water, and land without any regard for the destruction it is causing.
He talks about how we've reached a tipping point in human history where we must take drastic action to protect the environment if we want to guarantee its survival. Located in Alaska's largest city of Juneau, the state capitol is a unique building - the only one without a dome or large grounds.
Despite the lack of funding and land when the territory was first built in 1931, it continues to serve as the headquarter for state government until this day. With four columns carved out of marble from near Ketchikan, many locals, however, are not fond of its boxy shape and functionality--in fact, there have been numerous attempts to move it and build a new structure to no avail.
Inside the building are two murals reflecting life in Alaska off the natural resources of land and ocean; a tribute to those many elected officials who come from fishing backgrounds. Two floors up sit those governing the great state, with the governor and lieutenant each on their own respective levels.
Visitors can enjoy self-guided tours from 7 am to 5 pm to discover what happens inside one of the few state capitols without an iconic dome. To get there, opt for the swiftest route by car and take Calhoun Ave. Or hop on the bus, get off at 4th Street and Seward Street, then simply walk down southwest on 4th St. until you hit your destination - it's only a 1-minute stroll away.
Conclusion
That's typical of the kind of action movie Seagal made his name with, and the shoehorning of environmental themes only makes it worse. The film gets points for raising awareness about environmental issues, but its clumsy execution makes it come off as shallow and one-dimensional.
His speech, asking fans if they've heard of engines that run on anything from alcohol to water, borders on preachy and out-of-place. While the intent may have been to educate viewers about a potential solution to global warming and other environmental issues, this message is lost in an otherwise generic action movie narrative.
The idea of running engines on alternative fuels was a novel concept in 1994 when the film was released but has since become more popular due to advances in technology and rising awareness about climate change. Different fuel sources can now be used in engines, including biodiesel fuel from vegetable oil or animal fats, ethanol produced from sugar cane or crops such as corn and wheat, methane gas from organic waste materials such as manure or food scraps, solar energy stored in batteries for electric motors and hydrogen derived from water molecules.
It’s clear that Steven Seagal’s On Deadly Ground did not revolutionize Hollywood filmmaking or offer revolutionary solutions to global warming when it was released over 25 years ago - yet it still succeeded in raising awareness about alternative fuel sources at a time when they were still relatively unknown by the general public. Although its execution may have been clumsy and ham-fisted at times - its positive message remains relevant today.