What’s at the Movies

By Ian Pugh

“Black Hawk Down”
is first-rate war drama

 “Don’t bother taking that. We’ll be back before dark.”

At least, that’s how it was supposed to happen. It was going to be all in and out, complete the mission in a matter of hours and come back to base. But that’s not how it went. “Black Hawk Down” is an amazing motion picture about a dark day in world history.

In 1993, the United States made it a priority to remove Mohamed Raffah Aidid from power, as he was stockpiling all food brought to the capital city of Mogadishu, Somalia, his only stronghold. To help bring him down, on October 3, 1993, U.S. troops were ordered into the Baraka Market, where two of Aidid’s top lieutenants were coming for a meeting. Black Hawk helicopters were sent to drop soldiers in to capture the lieutenants. Unfortunately, the Somalis were quick to find out the American plan, and shot down one of the helicopters. Then, several hours later, they shot down another. Confusion and carnage ensued, as ground troops were told to abandon the original plan and take on a new mission: find all wounded and dead soldiers and get them out of the area. Leave no man behind.

For the most part, history seems to have nearly forgotten about this American conflict, even if it was only nine years ago. Ridley Scott (“Gladiator,” “Hannibal”) discovered the possibilities of the conflict as an opportunity to portray a self-contained event without Hollywood interference, and he succeeds in the highest regard.

“Black Hawk Down” is an extremely uncomfortable film to sit through, as it should be. It is perhaps one of the best examples of the truly realistic hell on earth that military combat really is. We are treated to extremely unpleasant imagery, but it’s all necessary. War is never pleasant.

There are a few familiar actors are here (Josh Hartnett, Ewan MacGregor), but the characters’ names are not always important–“Black Hawk Down” is a series of events, and we shift from scene to scene as different groups of soldiers try to make their way through the rubble and the terror. “It’s all about the men next to you,” one character says, and the film follows that creed well.

Warning: “Black Hawk Down” is a petrifying motion picture, and not for the faint of heart. But those in for an unrelenting true story of combat at its most horrifying, had best muster all of their courage and enter the theatre playing Ridley Scott’s newest masterpiece.