Rent Black Hawk Down (2001)

One of the best war films ever made - Black Hawk Down review by JD

On watching this again, given the changing world you can start to question the politics (although Ridley Scott as youd expect makes sure theres plenty of clues laid out) about this conflict and the US operation.

But it doesnt change the film one bit. There is no glorifying war, no vilifying one side, no sillyness. Its just a gritty, accurate war film.

Apparently the US asked british SF for help - but after taking a look at the planned op the SAS told them where to go and not to bother.

So the US did there thing. And it has to be said, while its made for an incredible film. The cost in life is terrible, on both sides.

The panic, fear and courage are all captured here. The rangers, an elite force in there own right looking to the Delta guys for inspiration (Rangers while well trained arent cut in battle like SF are) demonstrates the horror of what the US troops faced in this mess of an operation.

I loved this film when i first watched it for its accurate, no messing portrayal of events (even tho the film could be considered mild compared to the actual events)

On watching again with a more open mind the film is even better. There are no bad guys, no good guys. Just men (and women in the case of the locals) demonstrating courage in a horrible situation.

In my recent viewing the couple of spoken lines from the UN troops are hard and truthfull. On first watching you question there motivation. Next time its obvious, they are making a point about the cowboy behaviour of the US.

Its fantastic stuff, both being entertaining and also making you question the value of such decisions and policies.

Who says Ridley Scott was a 2 hit wonder!

The Essential Combat Film - Black Hawk Down review by GI

The combat film par excellence. Based on real events that took place in Mogadishu in October 1993 when US forces attempted to snatch two lieutenants of a warlord and were nearly overrun by the local militia resulting in the loss of nineteen soldiers, two helicopters and many wounded. They also killed over a 1000 somalis. Director Ridley Scott brings his usual visual detail and fast paced, adrenaline driven editing in what is essentially one long battle narrative. The film captures the confusion of modern combat and at times it's an effort to keep track of who is who as various groups of soldiers are dispersed and move through the city. There's no real character studies here, no romance, no attempt at political ideology or the rights and wrongs of the incident, this is a film that attempts to show the visceral, brutal effects of war and in that it succeeds very well indeed. There is attempts to highlight that many of those taking part are barely adults and it has sadness as friends are lost. It's quite an experience to watch this and a real cinematic achievement, epic in structure and design and wonderfully directed even though at times it's quite gruesome. It has a significant cast that includes Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, Sam Shepard, Ewan Bremner, Jason Isaacs, Orlando Bloom and it's the first film of Tom Hardy. An exhilarating experience to watch and a film to seek out if you've never seen it.