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Black Hawk Down

Play trailer 2:25 Poster for Black Hawk Down R 2002 2h 24m War Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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77% Tomatometer 172 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
In 1993, the U.S. sends special forces into Somalia to destabilize the government and bring food and humanitarian aid to the starving population. Using Black Hawk helicopters to lower the soldiers onto the ground, an unexpected attack by Somalian forces brings two of the helicopters down immediately. From there, the U.S. soldiers must struggle to regain their balance while enduring heavy gunfire.
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Black Hawk Down

Black Hawk Down

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Critics Consensus

Though it's light on character development and cultural empathy, Black Hawk Down is a visceral, pulse-pounding portrait of war, elevated by Ridley Scott's superb technical skill.

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Critics Reviews

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Lisa Alspector Chicago Reader 11/08/2011
I also don't know how well this 2001 drama represents the events of October 3 and 4, 1993, though I can see that it represents them in a realist vein, referring to other war movies without becoming frivolous. Go to Full Review
Richard Schickel TIME Magazine 11/08/2011
Black Hawk Down makes that point without preachment, in precise and pitiless imagery. And for that reason alone it takes its place on the very short list of the unforgettable movies about war and its ineradicable and immeasurable costs. Go to Full Review
Todd McCarthy Variety 01/02/2009
A relentless immersion in combat strikingly realized but none too pleasurable to sit through. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 11/12/2023
2/4
For the most part, the unflagging sound and fury make it impossible to identify with these characters as individuals, since their primary function seems to be to serve as anonymous slabs of American fortitude. Go to Full Review
Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies 08/19/2022
5/5
“Black Hawk Down” is an intense, visceral experience. It's gritty action one minute and deeply moving the next. But it never loses sight of its main focus – the soldiers. Go to Full Review
Jim Rohner Battleship Pretension 04/14/2021
...arguably the best performance of Josh Hartnett's career... Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Thomas D @Thom1967 1d Probably the best war movie ever ! And it’s all a real life story, it’s based on the book of a journalist that interviewed all the characters. The story is a bit "simplified" otherwise we would have tons of characters, but it’s all true ! Most of the American and UK actors have a part in it. The images are mind-blowing and the music goes perfectly with them. A must see if you like war stories. See more Gregory S Dec 11 It is a great movie about a an incident where 18 U.S. soldiers were killed, and 73 U.S. soldiers were wounded. It honors their heroism, sacrifice, and courage. The cast for this movie is a who’s who of everyone. I just watched it, and realized Tom Hardy was even in it. See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Nov 19 Solid modern war movie. Good cast. See more Luke B Sep 27 “Black Hawk Down” delivers phenomenal acting and tells a gripping story with brutal realism that makes it difficult to watch at times—but that raw honesty is what makes the film so powerful. Its unflinching portrayal of war captures both the chaos and the brotherhood found within it. Overall, it stands as a favorite and a true masterpiece. The meaningful message about what war really looks like is both enriching and transformative. See more andras gaspar p Sep 9 This movie is my favourite war movie. See more István P Sep 8 This movie is my favourite war movie. See more Read all reviews
Black Hawk Down

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1993, the U.S. sends special forces into Somalia to destabilize the government and bring food and humanitarian aid to the starving population. Using Black Hawk helicopters to lower the soldiers onto the ground, an unexpected attack by Somalian forces brings two of the helicopters down immediately. From there, the U.S. soldiers must struggle to regain their balance while enduring heavy gunfire.
Director
Ridley Scott
Producer
Jerry Bruckheimer
Screenwriter
Mark Bowden, Ken Nolan
Distributor
Columbia TriStar Home Video, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia Pictures, Revolution Studios, Svensk Filmindustri (SF) AB, Cascade Film, Columbia Tristar
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation, Revolution Studios, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Scott Free Productions
Rating
R (Intense Realistic War Violence|Intense Graphic War Violence|Language)
Genre
War, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 18, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$108.6M
Runtime
2h 24m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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