Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Black Hawk Down (2001)

Directed by Ridley Scott
Producers: Jerry Bruckheimer, Ridley Scott

Josh Hartnett as SSG Matt Eversmann
Tom Sizemore as LT COL Danny McKnight
Eric Bana as SFC Norm "Hoot" Gibson


Based on the true story of the deployment of the U.S. Army Ranger's that were deployed to Somalia in 1993. Specifically where a combined operation of United States Special operations teams (Delta force) and U.S. Rangers goes deadly wrong. The United States had been involved in the Somalian Civil War for quite some time. The U.S. Marines had just been relieved by the Rangers. This movie conveys how the United States gets involved in another countries civil war and gets a bloody nose for their trouble, to say the least!


The movie is set in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993. Riley wastes no time getting right into the action. War Lords had taken over the city and were taking anything they could get their hands on, including the humanitarian aid. It was the Generals opinion that if they could capture the two main leaders of these factions, it would have a dramatic and positive impact on the Somalian civil war. They had their insiders and knew where to get these war lords and when. They also had the Delta Force at their disposal, which are experts in extractions. In addition there would be over 100 Army Rangers that would provide security around the building where the extractions would take place. There would also be air support for insertions and hasty extractions. The mission was simple; the troops were elite, all the hardware in the world, what could possibly go wrong?

Things started going wrong before the mission even got started. The mission was suppose to have had been task close air support by an aircraft equipped with an electric machine gun. This was scrapped right before the mission. The next issue was that the mission was going to take place under the cover of darkness, now the mission had to go down in broad daylight. Now the soldiers are briefed and they load up on the Black Hawks for their insertion to provide security while the Delta Force does the extraction.

While this extraction is taking place LT COL Danny McKnight is leading a small convoy of HUMMV's which are supposed to be picking up the captured war lords and inserted military person ell at a pre-determined time. The Black Hawks as well as the convoy immediately come under heavy fire. The Delta Force was able to secure the building and capture their targets.

Now one of the Black Hawk Helicopters that was inserting troops takes a hit by a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG). It goes down in Mogadishu in extremely hostile conditions. Now the Rangers that were providing security are ordered to move several blocks under heavy fire and provide security for the downed Black Hawk and it's crew. About this time Lt Col McKnight shows up with his convoy at the specified building. They load up their prisoners as well as many wounded and several dead soldiers. By this time the rebel resistance is turning into an armed mob that has been estimated at somewhere between 1,500 & 2,000. There were armed with all sorts of automatic machine guns as well as many RPG's that took the helicopters down. By the time Lt Col McKnight gets his convoy out of Mogadishu, it is shot to pieces!

While they are dropping off the wounded troops and captured warlords a second Black Hawk gets hit and goes down in another part of the city. Things spiral out of control...

The mission has been completed but at what cost? Being elite soldiers there was no way in hell that they were going to leave anyone behind, Ranger, Delta or Pilot! So As it is turning dark Lt Col McKnight and his Rangers head back into Mogadishu where two Black Hawks are down and his Rangers are shot up and fighting for their lives. As night falls two Delta Force snipers volunteer to be inserted to protect the surviving crewmember of the second Black Hawk down...

From here on out it is WAR, Caos, hell on earth and lots of blood, guts and gore. All told there were 19 KIA and over 70 wounded in just 14 hours that afternoon and night in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993.

Conclusion

As a soldier I can appreciate many aspects of the movie. In particular how fast things can turn to sh*t. I thought the cast was great. I also thought Riley done a superb job of directing. Some critics wanted a bit more character development while I thought the script and characters ran smooth with the movie. Tom Sizemore as Lt. Col McKnight was the icing on the cake! You just can't make a decent war flick with out casting Sizemore. Most of the movie is very graphic and violent. In fact, too violent for a lot of critics. The movie was based on a very violent battle. It is also a part of our history and I am glad someone took note of these men and their story and wrote the book that was eventually made into a movie. I think a lot of folks prefer see John Wayne hand his cash over to some single mother with a baby and ship off to Iwo Jima. Lately the war movies have been getting real graphic and quite bloody. Is it right to depict a war so realistic? I believe it is. If someone does not relate to or enjoy a war film then how can they honestly critique one? However I can understand if it bothers some people. So if Saving Private Ryan disturbs you, you might want to skip this one!


Quotes from Black Hawk Down

Hoot, know what I think? Don't really matter what I think. Once that first bullet goes past your head, politics and all that sh*t just goes right out the window.

McKnight, You, get up there and drive!
Othic, But I'm shot Colonel!
McKnight, Everybody's shot! We need the prisoners let's go!

AWARDS

Academy Awards (2002)

~Best Editing
~Best Sound

Footnotes
There were 19 KIA in Simolia
There were over 70 wounded

The two Delta Force snipers that were KIA in Somalia were both warded the Congressional Medal Of Honor.

Runtime: 2 hours 25 minutes
Rated: [R]
Based on the book Black Hawk Down written by Mark Bowden

Similar Movies

Saving Private Ryan
Courage Under Fire

Thanks for the read,

~Mac

©2003 Joe McMaster


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age