Black Hawk Down (2001)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  144 Minutes (Extended: 152 Minutes) 

Rated: 15     

Genre: Drama, Action, History

Director: Ridley Scott

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, Eric Bana, William Fichtner, Ewen Bremner, Sam Shepard, Jason Isaacs, Tom Hardy

IMDB Rank: 7.7/ 10

Part 1 Time:  79 Minutes (Extended: 83 Minutes) 

Part 2 Time:  65 Minutes (Extended:  69 Minutes) 

Where does the first part end? 

Theatrical/ Extended: Having arrived back at Mogadishu Stadium the 75th Ranger Regiment and Delta forces set out to return to Mogadishu in order to rescue the soldiers that were left behind.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: 

Theatrical/ Extended: “Come on,” SSG Jeff Struecker (Brian Van Holt) states as he departs.

First line of dialogue on the second part: 

Theatrical: “Which way?” SPC Lance Twombly (Tom Hardy) asks SPC Shawn Nelson (Ewen Bremner) as they take cover beside a building.

Extended: “Nelson, Twombly, come in. This is Galentine,” SGT Scott Galentine (Gregory Sporleder) speaks into his two-way communication

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Jarring, the operation was predicted to take 30 minutes, but has now begun to spiral out of control as two Black Hawks are shot down and many members of both Delta and 75th Ranger Regiment are pinned down. The mission now focuses on rescuing those who are still trapped in the war zone.

Which part is better? The film chronicles the entire 24 hour Battle of Mogadishu and is an exhausting watch, as the action does not stop. The film truly displays the horrors of war and really makes you think about how dangerous life can be without law and order. Part one is given the slight advantage as we are able to see the comradely between the two regiments and the terror felt by soldiers engaged in warfare.

Academy Awards: 2002; Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best Cinematography (Nominated), Best Director (Nominated).

Other Awards: 2002-BAFTA; Best Cinematography (Nominated), Best Editing (Nominated), Best Sound (Nominated).