Adapting from a Real Life Event: Part FOUR - Black Hawk Down (Ridley Scott, 2001)

Black Hawk Down (Ridley Scott, 2001)

This 2001 War film directed and produced by Ridley Scott is based on the events that happened in October 1993 in Somalia with the US Special Operations Force, including Rangers, SOAR and Deltas.



I thought that it was accurate, gritty and emotional too.

Source:

Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War written by Mark Bowden.

I read this book before I watched the film. I found that it was most accurate when compared to the book.

The Military:

75th Rangers




160th SOAR (Night Stalkers)




Delta Force 

Impact of Soldiers on the Actors:

Tom Sizemore who portrayed LTC Danny McKnight

"What really got me at training camp was the Ranger Creed. I don't think most of us can understand that kind of mutual devotion. It's like having 200 best friends and every single one of them would die for you"

Medal of Honor

Two of the Delta Force were killed after volunteering to help out Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant who's Black Hawk was brought down during the battle. 

They were both awarded the Medal of Honor Posthumously for their heroism.

Randy Shughart



Gary Gordon

POW:

Due to the crash, Durant suffered a compound fracture to his left femur and a crushed vertebra in his back.

Mike Durant was held as a prisoner for 11 days.

He spoke intensively to Ron Eldard who portrayed him in the film. He wrote In the Company of Heroes describing his military service and his captivity in Somalia. The introduction to his book was written by Mark Bowden who wrote the Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern Warfare book.