Black Hawk Down

Black Hawk Down

Scott Manning
January 25, 2002 | Comments (29)

Director: Ridley Scott
Release Date: 2002
Rating: R
See it on Amazon

blackhawkdown (19k image) The "incident" everyone forgot
In 1993, when CNN broadcasted the bodies of American soldiers being dragged through the streets of some town we could not pronounce in Somalia (Mogadishu), nobody really knew what was going on. What were we doing there? What had gone wrong? Were we going to war? Two weeks later, Clinton had all US troops pulled out of Somalia. Although eventually recognized as "The Battle of Mogadishu", the incident in Somalia quickly became a forgotten ordeal among the various scandals and other world events of the time.

Black Hawk Down makes sure we will not forget.

Following the true story behind U.S. involvement in Somalia during an ill-fated humanitarian mission, the plot of Black Hawk Down is laid out clearly within the early stages of the film. On October 3, 1993, U.S. soldiers entered Somalia on an exercise that was supposed to take about thirty minutes. The mission turned into a nightlong battle pitting a handful of American soldiers against thousands of heavily armed Somali militia. Nineteen U.S. soldiers and more than 1000 Somalis were killed as a result.

What can you expect?
The first half hour of the movie builds up to the actual mission; then for the next two hours the audience reels through the intensity of the battle. Even with the constant shock of horrific after gruesome situation, the film flows along fairly evenly and is not hard to follow.

This film focuses a lot on the sacrifice of war and the blurring between right and wrong. Some have dubbed it the most violent film produced by a major studio. Many audience members were obviously disturbed by the detailed gore. Some were disturbed so much, that by the time something positive happened, they were too shook up to realize it.

Thankfully, Black Hawk Down is not a political movie. The question of "Should we have been there?" is not answered. This avoids decades of trends that have permeated Vietnam War era movies. On the contrary, Black Hawk Down focuses on telling the story of the soldiers involved with dignity.

Black Hawk Down tries to be as accurate as possible. The audience is constantly made aware of the real-time historical charge of the story through captions labeling when, where, and what is happening.

History almost by the text book
Even with all the attempts to accurately portray the events, you can't please everyone. So far, Malaysians have been upset by their lack of inclusion in the film. Malaysia sent in troops to aid the Americans and lost men as well. The movie only briefly mentions their name.

The usual problems in any intense war film are also evident in this movie. During all the bullets, explosions, yelling, and confusion, it's very easy to forget who is who. Unless a character has a very distinct facial feature or voice, they are quickly dubbed as "the bald guy". And in a war movie with a large cast like Black Hawk Down, it's easy to dub half the cast as "the bald guy".

The acting is decent. I'm not exactly sure how one would audition for the role of someone that gets killed, or kills others, or cries over his friend getting killed, but this group of actors does as good of job as any. You may have heard the saying "Nobody goes to Hooters for the wings"; well, nobody goes to a war movie for the Oscar-winning acting.

Overall, Black Hawk Down is an extremely well done war movie - great cinematography, decent dialog, and a fairly accurate storyline. Ridley Scott has another great film to add to his credits. The best thing about this movie is that it has reminded us of an "incident" that was brushed under the rug, yet good soldiers gave their lives for. When you see it, keep in mind that you are viewing one of the most intense films ever produced, but that this is what war is like.

Related Links:
Black Hawk Down's Official Website
CNN: Somalis cheer at 'Black Hawk Down' screening

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Comments (29):

1) Posted by: Marcus Smith
August 13, 2002 5:53 PM

Black Hawk Down is a ver thought provoking film. It shows the pure emotion of human beings in major conflicts. A very important movie!

2) Posted by: Andrew Youngblood
December 4, 2002 1:52 PM

This movie shows the hearts and strength wounded by the Somali people. The American Rangers and Delta Force fighting together and trying their hardest to survive. I can say almost none of us can understand how hard it is and the suffering it took for those soldiers to survive.

3) Posted by: noah stein
December 23, 2002 5:50 PM

this movie is extremely realistic, and really shows the struggles that the Delta Army Force Rangers faced or went through. I give this film a 10 out of 10. It is definitely a masterpiece!

4) Posted by: Stiggs
December 28, 2002 10:31 PM

tight ass movie straight action from beginning to end i would definetly recommend this movie to anyone looking for a good war movie

5) Posted by: Kelsey
December 30, 2002 11:14 PM

This movie is so realalistic it's amazing. Watching this movie makes you see what the soilders really went through! It also makes you wonder why those American lives were lost and if it was really worth it.

6) Posted by: Kasey
January 3, 2003 11:21 AM

Black Hawk Down truely is the best war movie, and the best movie in years (the best of all time in my opinion). It's extremely acurate and shows the true heroism of the Rangers and Delta Operaters, especially Jamie Smith, Gary Gordon, and Randy Shughart and the bravery of Mike Durant. The actors portray these heroes extremely well, you could practically feel their pain. And you don't think of Josh Hartnett as Josh Hartnett, you think of him as a brave young Matt Eversmann. The graphics are incredible, you think you are there. I've never realized how much our military means to us until I read the story of BHD. I just thought of the army as young men who can't find jobs that get bossed around and shoot at whatever they are told to shoot at but this story made me realize that they are brave souls who want to fight for their country, and not to become a hero but to make a difference. It's about the man next to you... They are all like a big family. It's truely touching and you can't help but tear up when you watch the movie. There may not be any flag waving, but this movie doesn't need it to show that America is still stronger and more powerful than any other country.

7) Posted by: Michael
January 4, 2003 11:52 AM

The movie was worth making and does portray the suffering that these soldiers went through but I am disturbed by the refusal to acknowledge that the deaths of 1000 Somalis and less than 20 U.S. on Somali ground does not tell a story of U.S. suffering. It tells a story of apalling U.S. foreign policy. But then I suppose all the previous writers don't understand my point. "But Somalis are black...?".

8) Posted by: Chelsea
January 25, 2003 4:17 PM

I loved this movie. Especially all the HOTT guys, but thats not the point. It was the best war movie, it made me cry. I love Orlando B, Josh H, Ewan M. I really wish i could fight in battle and war. But im a woman so that wont happen. But You can have dreams right.

9) Posted by: Somali Boi
February 1, 2003 9:59 PM

lolz americans got their azz kicked, i love how my people stand united as one country, one love, one GOD, Somalian For eve, did yall see how american soldiers run for their lifes, i coudnt stop loughin hahahahhahhah dont try to fight us or yall wont be leaving life in somali.......SOMALI FOR LIFE....OSAMA BIN LADEN FOR LIFE...MUSLIMS FOR LIFE...

10) Posted by: joCl
February 2, 2003 9:22 PM

I LOVE U ORLANDO!!!!!
he's sosososo HOT
and all who agree wit me....i aslo recommend the lord of the
rings!

11) Posted by: joCl
February 2, 2003 9:22 PM

I LOVE U ORLANDO!!!!!
he's sosososo HOT
and all who agree wit me....i aslo recommend the lord of the
rings!

12) Posted by: Ranger
October 7, 2003 3:20 PM

Being a soldier myself I can say that this movie was a really close portray to what went down there in 1993. All I want to say is that don't mix up politics and actual soldiers that have to obey whatever they're told sacrificing their lives and lives of their close friends. Understand that soldiers do not kill for fun but as Delta said in this movie "We do it for the men right next to us" - that's what it is about... The whole philosophy and art of war is not about how many enemies you kill but how you logically perceive that little world around you at the moment and how you make the right choices. And these young boys that fought for their lives didn't make that choice - it was made for them.

13) Posted by: Hellraiser
October 23, 2003 10:38 AM

Loved the film and the review on this site, V good!

14) Posted by: brent
November 4, 2004 1:33 AM

i loved this movie becuase it had fighting

15) Posted by: American soldier
November 4, 2004 1:35 AM

the best war movie of all time .black hawk down has the best effects i have ever scene . but the downsides are there is a bit to much swearing anyway i give this movie about *** stars

16) Posted by: unkown
November 4, 2004 1:42 AM

If you love war movies you will love this one.

i have put together a rating chart so you ca figure out if it suits you.

swearing.****
war scenes.***
offensive content.*
r16

17) Posted by: groups(mzad) orlando ,GIRLS!!!
March 11, 2005 3:41 PM

HEY CHICKS IT ORLANDO HERE AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY I HAD A SWELL TIME MAKING THIS FILM. LOOK AT SOME OF MY OTHER FILMS AS WELL

18) Posted by: Pissed
April 14, 2005 5:09 PM

This is a reply to somali boi's comments. I don't know if you were joking around or what, but if you were serious, then you are the dumbest peice of **** I know. You obviously didn't read the end credits where it tell you 18 american soldiers died and and an estimated 1000 or more somali's . Who got their asses kicked?

19) Posted by: Airsoft gun tuner
April 15, 2005 10:34 PM

The somali's got blitzed. the brave American soldiers who went in and fought didn't just try to be a hero and shoot stuff. they did it for the man beside them, their friends, their country. As for you you somali bastard "somali boi" jou are a stupid piece of shit. go suck on an rpg you fucking man-whore. Oh, and to any somali residents of mogadishu, you got your asses fucked up big time!

20) Posted by: somali boi(impersonation)
April 15, 2005 10:46 PM

(In mock voice) I'm a stupid somali. oh I hpoe i dont get shot. A thousand somalis got utterly destroyed in 1 day, while only 19 americans died. Oh yeah, im smart now. we kicked those americans asses didn't we. ooooooh im special, oh yeah, i mean we got blown to bits by our own rockets, but the americans got shot or crashed. We just beat them. We had a city of thousands but we still couldn't kill more than 18 soldiers. ooooh and we got a flesh wound huh, just a 1000+ dead. those americans came in here and messed with us, oh they had another thing comin, didnt they. 18 dead.
END IMPERSONATION.

(this is absolute bullshit you somali bastard. we fucked you up.
we brought it, layed it on the table and opened it bitch!
NEVER FUCK WITH AMERICA, YOU THIRD WOURLD ASS GREMLINS!)

-Airsoft Gun Tuner.

21) Posted by: Chris
July 3, 2005 8:18 PM

I wouldnt be suprised if most women agree to see Black Hawk Down with their husband or boyfriend just because they want to see Josh Hartnett in a sweaty war uniform. But Black Hawk Down is much more than that. Its a wonderful, powerful, deep, intense, and at times gorry action/drama that gives a full spectrum look to war. 4 stars!!

22) Posted by: let them destroy themselves
November 5, 2005 7:57 AM

No US soldiers should have been in Somalia in the first place. They should just secure the borders and let all the fucking warring factions kill each other. Fuck peace keeping, this is a country that doesn't understand the meaning of those words. Just seal the fucking borders, and when they've all finished killing each other, go in and tidy up the mess, then give half the country to Congo and half to Ethiopia.

23) Posted by: Milad
December 12, 2005 4:59 PM

This movie was the best war movie even better then Tears of the Sun. I have had this movie since August and I still watch it. 10 out of 10 rating man.

24) Posted by: AYAAN
March 20, 2006 9:39 AM

ASSHOLES THAT MOVIE WAS NOTHING BUT FAKE SHIT? AND U THINK U WON DA WAR? HAHAAH KEEP DRAMATISING YOUR STUPIDITY WARS. U LOST CUZ U NEVER TOOK OVA DA NATION DUUUH!!! SOMALIS WHIPPED YOUR WHITE ARSES, AND SHOWED YOU NOT TO FUCKING MESS WITH US. THATS WHY DA US TOOK ITS TROOPS OUT.

GOSH WHAT DA FUCK IS wrong wid THESE US FOLKS.......someone call the mental hospital theres MORE INSANE FOLKS on the loose.

DATS MA 2 CENTS ON DA CRAP FILM,

SOMALI AND MUSLIM 4 LIFE... ALL U HATERS CAN KISS MA BLACK ASS.

AYAAN

25) Posted by: manny
April 12, 2006 1:56 PM

you people think that thees guys went in their and just sloterd a 1000 people for one man they went in to get this war over with and go home you have black bern who is paralized now and you have casey who didnt even make it home alive blackburn just got their the day befor he had no choice the somali people were in a CIVIL WAr it wasnt the best time to go in but the american soldirs shouldnt get bashed at all for what they did you people need to get real and get smart

26) Posted by: plastique
May 22, 2006 2:13 PM

Rofl I hear you AYAAN, Fuck , Ur Backward Perception of Folks (U.S.A)is horribly ... U curse aALOOTT!!------hahahahahahahhahahaha No Lets Be Serious. ...Please Try To "PM" Me Today So We Can Hangout For aBit And You Can Get Your black ass kissed ... *hugs* ..servaboy@yahoo.com *tips Hat*

27) Posted by: Madar
July 31, 2006 5:20 AM

Allahu-Akbar Allahu-Akbar: American's and Bush were dreamed to kill every single Muslim on this planet but what a wonder Islamist better then ever, I say all Christian and Israel do not drown in the mirage; Muslims will win forever and Allah with them. ahaaaaah haa hhaaaaaa huuuuuuuhuuuuuuhu hu

28) Posted by: Jose Maria
August 17, 2006 10:45 PM

you somali fucks suck. if your broke ass country was so great, how come all of you smelly ass mf's move to c-bus? go the fuck home and straighten your shit out. i have no problem with people that have a diff faith other than christianity. more power to you. but you somalis are different, you are fucking leaches. you all look the same with them big assed foreheads. you people dont know how to opperate motor vehicles properly. oh and another thing, black people dont even identify with you fucks, here in c-bus EVERYONE hates you guys, black people dont even consider you fags black... so the "SMELLY-IAN" that says "kiss my black ass", let it be known you are hated by all here black, white, jew, even muslim kids i know hate you guys. plus there isnt one good somali footballer (soccer player) anywhere. go fuck yourself. AMERICA WILL SKULL FUCK YOU!

29) Posted by: MadMullah
September 11, 2006 2:57 PM

i`m praud to be S.O.M.A.L.I and i thank the lord every day that he give us the power to get this american Criminals out of our country.. i have seen with my eyes a 12 years old kid killed by american soldiers for no reason . they were using him as target practicing. for thoose of u who think that somali people fight the american soldiers only cuz they are americans . i wil ask them "why they didnt that as soon as they arrived in the somalian land?" .. all what i can say is that the somali people reach a certain point that they cant wait any more . and they fought and successfully WON. no matter how much somali killed but at least we have our country in somali hand not forign hand .thats all i want to say. and btw i respect all the american people but that not means to give my country away !!!!