2001 · R · 144 min
Black Hawk Down
An elite team of U.S. soldiers are trapped in a desperate battle for survival when a mission in Mogadishu goes wrong and two helicopters are shot down.
- Director
- Ridley Scott
- Released
- December 28, 2001
- Studios
- Revolution Studios, Jerry Bruckheimer Films
- Worldwide
- $274,703,340
Black Hawk Down
- Budget
- $115,000,000
- Opening Weekend
- $17,311,852
- Domestic
- $131,168,070
- Worldwide
- $274,703,340
- Return on Budget
- 2.4x
Synopsis
The picture.
In 1993, elite U.S. soldiers are deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia, to capture top lieutenants of warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. The operation, planned to last less than an hour, spirals into a long and bloody urban battle when two Black Hawk helicopters are shot down by Somali militia.
Attempting to rescue the survivors of the downed aircraft, U.S. forces face overwhelming opposition and are pinned down in the city streets, forced to fight for their lives through the night as a ground rescue convoy fights its way in.
The film depicts the intensity of modern urban warfare and the bond between soldiers in crisis, highlighting the courage of the Rangers and Delta Force operators in the Battle of Mogadishu.
Above the Line
Cast & crew.
Director
- Ridley Scott
Writers
- Ken Nolan
- Mark Bowden
Principal Cast
- Josh Hartnett
- Ewan McGregor
- Eric Bana
- Tom Sizemore
- William Fichtner
- Jason Isaacs
Studios
- Revolution Studios
- Jerry Bruckheimer Films
- Scott Free Productions
- Columbia Pictures
Trailer
Watch it.
Production Notes
What made it work.
- 01
Based on the 1999 non-fiction book by journalist Mark Bowden.
- 02
Filmed primarily in Rabat and Sale, Morocco, where the production team recreated the streets of Mogadishu.
- 03
Used actual Black Hawk and Little Bird helicopters flown by pilots from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
- 04
Won Academy Awards for Best Film Editing and Best Sound at the 74th Oscars.
- 05
Fast-tracked by Ridley Scott and Jerry Bruckheimer following the success of Gladiator.
Reception
How it landed.
Critical
Widespread critical praise for technical precision, visceral realism, and Ridley Scott's direction of the combat sequences.
Audience
Commercial hit and frequently cited as one of the best modern war films.