Black Hawk Down [Blu-ray]

The professional reviews I read prior to the film had many comments in common and so many of which are false, they are worth noting here. This movie does have the graphic depiction of death and suffering that took place. It is never gratuitous as it portrays what took place. A series of scenes involving the treatment of a wounded Ranger, while graphic, is accurate. If critics have a problem with this they need to read some history. This movie is not, as has been written, comparable to the Normandy Invasion as portrayed in, "Saving Private Ryan". The fighting is sustained for a greater part of the film in, "Blackhawk Down", however 19 Americans died. Many times that number was horribly killed and maimed within the first minute of fighting in, "Saving Private Ryan". The latter film tells a story that evolved over days, this film is about an 18-hour event.

One of the most disturbing parts of the movie is the beginning, and again, contrary to what has been written, you will not even see a gun. A person is wrapping a famine victim in a death shroud, and while this plays out, graphics share many facts about events that lead the US to intervene. If the opening does not demonstrate why the victims of a man every bit as evil as Hitler or Stalin needed to be helped, I don't know what visuals would. As the movie progresses it will also become crystal clear why the US has to be involved in any major international effort, and even more clearly, why, on the battlefield we should have nothing to do with United Nations politics. And the lesson that Washington should not be deciding what troops do and do not need on a mission, is again proven the folly that President Johnson is famous for. There is no way to replay the events, but if the general in command had the permission for the air-cover and other forces he wanted, there likely would have been far fewer deaths of Americans, and of Somalians.

The movie is about the men who went on the primary mission, those that joined to help their fellow soldiers, and those that asked to be placed in the middle of the fighting to attempt a rescue that was unlikely to spare their lives. The constant mortal risk, or at times what appears a mortal certainty, never gives these men pause when one of their own is in need of help. These men were not from the same branches of the service, they were not all long-term friends. Men who knew nothing about one another risked and gave their lives so that another of their number could live. Two of these men received The Congressional Medal Of Honor. They were never to have the honor placed upon them, for they both died saving another's life.

Praising this movie does not make a political statement, it does not mean the viewer gains some vicarious thrill from violence. For voyeurs there is the fiction of the Rambo films. Praising this film is paying tribute to what the film is about. It is about having men who are willing to serve this country, i.e. you and I, and to do so in a manner that focuses on the respect and admiration we owe them every moment they are doing their job.

These men do not decide where they will fight or why. This film does not spend time on the stupidity of governments and their leaders who play politics, and consult polls instead of making decisions. What this film does present is the total commitment, the selfless sacrifice, and the supreme competence of the fighting men who serve this nation. This film has a focus, and what it focuses on may be hard to watch and easier to criticize. However, the truth is none of us has seen enough of the horror that is war, and so we continually send men and women to die for questionable reasons. Why should American soldiers die when the mission is catalyzed by man-made famine? If the answer is that as a nation we have both the ability to help and the willingness to support the effort, that effort must have as its primary goal the provision of support to the men and women that volunteered to serve this nation. We do not send them to a situation where an incompetent military organization in the form of UN Peacekeepers plays any role in our troops safety. We do not demand that bullets fly at them before they can fire their own weapon, we do not require they watch as Somali, "Technicals", butcher people at food stations.

It is true that the film spares viewers the scenes of our dead being dragged through the streets. It does not omit the event, it makes a visual note that is all the reminder anyone needs. This is another fact the critics miss.

Don't like watching what it means when a primary rule is, "that no one is left behind"? Stay home, don't see the film. If you want to see the best of human nature in the most inhuman situations, then go and pay tribute to those who fought in Somalia, and for those who have fought throughout this Nation's History.


WAIT!!!!! DO NOT BUY NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   April 16, 2002
167 out of 225 found this review helpful

My advice to everyone who is planning on buying the DVD release of Black Hawk Down. Wait a little while longer. This release has next to NO extra features on it. Also, Ridley Scott is planning on puting together a special edition version of it-packed with loads of extras that will be a fine edition to this awesome film. Just be patient and it will pay off.


"No one gets left behind..."   January 19, 2002
Shelley Shay (Denton, TX **(God Bless the USA!!)**)
166 out of 186 found this review helpful

This is a phenominal film. I'm sad to say that I was fairly oblivious to the conflict in Somalia... I was working 3rd shift and sleeping during the day in 1993 when this incedent took place. This film could not have been more timely in its release... when long dormant patriotism has been brought to the forefront of every American's thoughts.

Now that we've been attacked on our own soil, conflicts overseas seem that much more real to us.

In 1993, the Islamic leader and warlord of Somalia, Muhammad Farrah Aidid, led with fear and tyranny. His henchmen were equipped with what appeared to be limitless weapons -- large machine guns, shoulder rockets, pistols, and many automatic and semi-automatic weapons. They enlist even the youngest and most innocent of their populace to help them spy and keep in constant contact via cell phone. Aidid stopped international aid from reaching his own people, killing 300,000 by starvation and the onslaught of civil war.

Washington sent in their military forces to remove Aidid from power and to prevent the Somali people from having to endure more suffering under Aidid's iron grasp. Sadly, Washington didn't want to "look too dramatic" and denied military requests for C130 gun ships and other heavy artillery that certainly would have made a big difference on the outcome of this event.

Army Rangers, pilots, medics, the famous Delta Force, the pride of America was there, fighting for the freedom of a people they did not know.

This film is the realistic portrayal of the events that led to the deaths of 19 U.S. servicemen... but it's not just a shoot 'em up movie. You feel like you're there, with them. What should have been a mission that was to last only 30 minutes, lasted longer than anyone imagined when a single Somali soldier downs a Black Hawk rotor with a shoulder-launched rocket... and the Ranger motto, "no one gets left behind," is tested to the limits.

There are some humorous moments to break the tension, but the majority of the film is a stressful experience where you are literally at the edge of your seat to see what happens next.

The 19 servicemen that are killed range the gamut from 18 year old enlistees to First Sergeants with years of service... and none of them dies in a pretty way. If you are made queasy by blood, beware... this is a bloody film... and there are a number of scenes that will make you gasp in horror. Some of these guys were hit by rockets... burned and blown apart... it's just awful, but sadly... it's reality. We usually just hear some sterile figures on CNN how a particular number of soldiers were shot, stepped on land mines, etc... but we don't see what really happened and that's when we become very detached from reality and end up sympathizing with the people (often our enemies) we see in easier-to-stomach scenes of children living in squalor as a result of conflict, maligning Americans against their own military. Please note the rating of this film and consider it thoughtfully before considering bringing a child. The gore is horrific and the scenes are really too intense for young ones.

For those who like shoot-em-ups and explosions, you won't be disappointed. The special effects are fantastic... there are a few scenes in the movie in which you feel like ducking as it appears a missile is ready to whiz right over your shoulder. The sound is fantastic... you can hear and feel the bullets whizzing by and you can hear the klinking of shells falling at your feet. The foley artists on this film are to be commended.

Hans Zimmer delivers a wonderful and complimentary score to the movie... along with the sounds of African children singing and some rock-n-roll to boot... it's a nice soundtrack.

Ridley Scott reminds us once again his flair for delivering crisp, vivid scenes that are riveting, exciting and moving all at the same time.

Watching this film is an emotional and intense experience that will leave you tired when it's over... but images from the screen will replay in your head several times. These soldiers trained hard to become Rangers and to be part of the Delta Force... these are young men that know what dangers await them and they go in with their eyes wide open... and they are prepared to defend their buddies with their lives. In many ways, this film is a monument to their strength, their courage and their loyalty. Those 19 men should not be forgotten. This film is also a testament to the necessity of properly arming and equipping our soldiers so that they have the best protection needed when engaged in conflict and worrying less about appearances and more about protecting American lives, both military and civilian.

I highly recommend this film.


Very well done!   January 3, 2002
71 out of 77 found this review helpful

I have to say that they nailed this movie pretty good.

Basically all it does is tell the story of what happened in Mogadishu on October 3, 1993. They didn't focus on character detail that much which to me is a good thing. There are just too many people involved to go into detail with them all. Going into too much detail on certain characters and not others would take away what some did and would lessen their sacrifice. So, they stuck to just the story. Good move.

They compressed the story some, changed a few names, and merged some characters into one character This was done to get the story down to a movie time frame and to protect certain characters identities as they are still serving.

No movie based on a book is as detailed as the book. Don't expect it to be. You should read the book as well.

Some critics have said that it is way too violent of a film. Did they know they were going to see a movie about combat? Hello!!?!! It's about time that film makers have started making movies to show the American public what really happens in combat. Combat is not one guy running around killing people by the hundreds with a head band on. They made it a real as you could get it on the screen. Saving Private Ryan started it off and now Black Hawk Down. To Jerry Bruckheimer and Ridley Scott, Bravo! Well Done!

It's very accurate as far as weapons, equipment, uniforms, etc. They used the exact helicopters that were used in the original mission in 1993 with the 160th SOAR.

The whole movie I was searching for inaccuracies. Want to know what I came up with? They had their names written in marker on their Kevlar helmets (this was done so the audience could quickly tell who's who) we wrote our names on the helmet band. The chin straps on the Kevlar helmets were not taped up (As soon as I got to Ranger Battalion we had to taped up and tie down certain pieces of equipment and this was one of them), they wore dog tag silencers (in Ranger Battalion I was told to get them off and tape em up with 100 MPH tape as soon as I got there), and sometimes they said each others names on the radios instead of call signs (once again this was done for the audience). So as you can see I was really reaching there.

Certain shots were just incredible for me. For example, there was a point of view shot from the side of a MH-6 Little Bird (we used to ride out on the sides of those things all the time). The camera was positioned as to be a person sitting on the left side of the chopper looking to the front. In front of the chopper is another Little Bird fully loaded with guys. The sequence is them going in for a landing on the street. Just watching it reminded me of all those times I rode on those [...things].

Maybe someday people will start to understanding what people in combat arms go through.

A Co, 2nd Ranger Battalion
U.S. Army (1991-1995)


The ugly side of war   February 27, 2002
E. A Solinas (MD USA)
53 out of 64 found this review helpful

Black Hawk Down is war with a capitol W. This film has been blasted by film critics for being racist, biased, and slanted in favor of the Americans. Too bad. This is how it happened. If you want a date movie or a happily-ever-after movie, do not watch this film. If you want to see a war movie that will get your adrenaline pumping and a tear in your eye, watch this film.

The story opens with a mild historical lesson to fill viewers in on the background, and some heartbreaking images of the Somali people in the desert. We then cut to American soldiers - some are fresh-faced teens, some are gritty veterans, some are disgruntled clerks. We are introduced to two in particular - Staff Sergeant Matt Eversmann (Josh Harnett), an idealist who pities the Somalis and gets gently teased for it; and Danny Grimes (Ewan McGregor), a soldier who "made coffee through Desert Storm" and is somewhat bitter about it, then looking forward to his first mission. We also have "Lord of the Rings"'s Orlando Bloom as an eager-puppy new soldier, for fans of that actor.

The solders are sent on a seemingly-ordinary raid to capture the underlings of a local crime lord. But the place they're in rapidly degenerates into a war zone, with almost every Somali in sight firing at them. The men are trapped in decaying buildings and open alleyways, while two Black Hawk choppers are shot down out of the sky. They have to find a way out and get back to U.N.-controlled territory before they're all killed.

One thing to warn you about: There is no happy ending. Some characters you come to care about are going to die, and the ones left over are injured or traumatized. Unlike "Lord of the Rings," nobody applauded when this movie ended because every person was in a state of shock.

Acting? Only problem with acting is that Josh Harnett does not have the same skills as the other actors; at times he SOUNDS like he's reading from little fortune cookie papers. He is the Fortune Cookie soldier. It's that trite. Ewan McGregor adds a gritty, quirky side to his disgruntled secretary, while Orlando Bloom manages to fervently pull off "Well I'm here to kick some ass!" Charlie Hofheimer is also memorable as Corporal Jamie Smith, in a heartrending scene later in the movie.

THIS IS NOT A MOVIE FOR CHILDREN. Even some teens may not be able to take it. There is continuous graphic violence, including but not limited to: brief full view of a still-living soldier blown in half, part of a soldier's hand blown off, field surgery on someone's leg with no anesthetic, a boy shooting his father when he misses a soldier, a man falling out of a Black Hawk - six stories, and several soldiers dying when their Black Hawks go into death spirals. Even when it isn't violent, it is disturbing - the director never shows us what the Somalis do with the bodies they took from the downed chopper, but a main character's expression shows us what to think.

There's a little grim humor: one of the soldiers goes deaf due to the constant gunfire, a standup-comedy act at the beginning of the movie, and Grimes' ironic coffee joke. And the Somalis are not portrayed as faceless; certainly no more so than the soldiers themselves, who eventually start blending together. But if the story can be told, I admit that there should not be too much emotional delving. Though if you dislike profanity... um, the F-word is used about an average of one every three sentences.

I agree with the previous reviewers who think that the critics should READ THE BOOK; enough with calling the movie "propaganda". The violence was even worse and more disturbing in real life. The soldiers really DID call the Somalis "skinnies". The Somali leaders really were corrupt, suave men. The Somalis really were acting savagely. And for heaven's sake, don't whine that they didn't rewrite history to make it a cute tie-up-the-loose-ends movie! No politically-correct frothing will change that -- or should change that! Nor should the nobility of "leave no man behind" be sacrificed to the emotionless "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few". These men were willing to sacrifice everything out of loyalty and courage, both for each other and for their country.

This movie is full of dramatic, touching moments: the voiceover at the end. The American soldier stumbling into a Somali schoolroom, and silently waving goodbye to one of the solemn-eyed children. A soldier with a broken leg sadly watching his friends' bodies being stripped and dragged away. The soldiers slowing the Humvees for a father holding his child's body. The death scene (you'll know it when you see it). The aforementioned soldier with a broken leg, being beaten by Somalis as he gropes for a photo of his wife and daughter. Eversmann, whose face betrays every little shred of idealism he once had being buried under the blood and dust. The soldiers running to U.N.-occupied territory, with laughing children waving them on.

If you loathed Pearl Harbor, watch this. It's probably coincidence that this movie was released post Sept. 11th, but its timing is perfect. Why? Because there are soldiers out there in the Middle-East right now, and this movie can show you what they experience. My extreme sympathies to those 19 families, if they are reading this now.