http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/black-hawk-down/ The American Film Co. - Discussion Comments Feed - Black Hawk Down en-us Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:02:12 -0500 info@americanfilmco.com http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/black-hawk-down/#comment-697 Having designed an undergraduate course several years ago devoted to this film (which I'm currently teaching this semester), I'm delighted to see the attention given to it here. I think the critical comments thus far are even-handed and thoughtful, and I support those who consider this film to be a landmark work that redefines the extraction film into both an expression of an emergent anti-war / pro-military ethos and a foreshadowing of the war on terror. Viewers might also be interested in a lecture by Mike Durant delivered at the U.S. Army War College and posted on YouTube wherein he emphasizes the very thing our present discussion reveals--namely, that this ostensibly "forgotten" battle will continue to resonate for decades to come as we continue to grapple with the geopolitical realities it compelled us to face. Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:10:21 -0400 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/black-hawk-down/#comment-697 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/black-hawk-down/#comment-561 "Black Hawk Down" was a terrific film about a battle small in scope, but had great ramifications for U.S. Foreign Policy under the Clinton Administration. It shows the horrors of modern warfare, but also the courage and strength our military personnel show, even under extreme conditions such as those in Mogadishu. This is an essentially important film of modern warfare. Mon, 16 May 2011 19:05:29 -0400 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/black-hawk-down/#comment-561 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/black-hawk-down/#comment-238 I found 'Blackhawk Down' a very disturbing film. The combat footage made me (a veteran) very edgy. The depiction was right-on, the combat confusion which had a documentary feel to it was brutally factual. The adage reads, "no plan outlasts first contact with the enemy".The mob psychology of the rebel factions were reminiscent of personal vandettas rolled from each one into the entire crowd. The blood lust was frightening. I believe the filmmaker went the extra distance and while the screenplay left a great deal to be desired, the action sequences had a gritty realistic feel to them. I would recommend this film. Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:12:14 -0500 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/black-hawk-down/#comment-238 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/black-hawk-down/#comment-186 Any film directed by Ridley Scott will not only be historically accurate, but a phenominal movie. When you watch a war movie, more importantly an American war movie, made by a british director, it would be normal to be a bit skeptical, but you have the benefit of so many resources readily availble to you, its pretty difficult to fail. This is one of the most important movies in Hollywood History since We Were Soldiers. It's important for us the American people, especially young americans, to see what actually happened and went on in a mostly forgotten war. What better way to distrubute that to the mass' then by todays societies greatest outpouring of information, the media. Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:10:15 -0400 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/black-hawk-down/#comment-186 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/black-hawk-down/#comment-126 you're right, johnson-dawg. the most admirable thing about the film was its depiction of battle and confusion in battle--it even confuses the viewer. there are certainly differing accounts of what happened in mogadishu. in fact, DoreeSimon just posted how matt eversmann was unhappy with his portrayal. what we liked about the film was it's very loyal adaptation of mark bowden's book, which was heavily researched. couple that with the military advisors and authentic equipment used and we've got what appears to be an impressively accurate retelling. from a storytelling perspective, it's got its issues, but we're looking at it as a piece of history brought to the screen. there were definitely omissions, and probably for various reasons. from the american point of view, it didn't take much of a political stance, and that was kind of a relief. Mon, 26 Apr 2010 07:04:47 -0400 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/black-hawk-down/#comment-126 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/black-hawk-down/#comment-122 There are always different reasons for telling a story. In Blackhawk down I was very disapointed with the overall project. I was able to read Mark Bowden's collection of accounts from the survivors of the battle and seperate accounts from Night Stalkers and I don't feel like the movie told the story completly. I was impressed that they were able to show the pressures of the battle and the pure confusion that followed, but many of the stories were altered due to either political reasons or to simplify an already chaotic story. Some of the actors were a little awkward, but overall it isnt the most inaccurate movie out there, but it is far from the best. Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:04:50 -0400 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/black-hawk-down/#comment-122 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/black-hawk-down/#comment-101 Unlike many historical war movies, some of the characters in Black Hawk Down are still living and were able to see the film about their tragic experience. I found an article in which Matt Eversmann responds to Josh Hartnett's portrayal of him in the film. In the article, Eversmann said he's flattered by Hartnett's good looks, but that he's not the man from the film. He also said, "the movie is very good in projecting the theme of the book, brave men in a very difficult situation who account for themselves and their country." It's interesting to think that the "Eversmann" that America will always know is Hartnett's version, not the real Eversmann's. Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:04:11 -0400 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/black-hawk-down/#comment-101 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/black-hawk-down/#comment-61 This film is one of the best military film I have seen. I really liked how the movie shows the importance of brotherhood and the idea the no man is left behind. In one scene, when night was falling and US soldiers were trapped in the city, a helicopter flew over the city broadcasting that "No man will be left behind" and that the army would find everyone. I would be interested in learning if this was a Hollywood creation or if the US military really let the men know that help was on the way, via helicopter. Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:03:10 -0400 http://www.theamericanfilmcompany.com/talk/discussion/black-hawk-down/#comment-61