BLACKHAWK DOWN coming to a theater near you!

Randy · Post by **Randy** » Sun Jul 29, 2001 3:14 am

Hi everyone, I just saw my first preveiw of the movie "Blackhawk Down". It looked pretty intense from what I saw (1 minute). I think Jerry Bruckheimer is directing it or whatever he does. I did not catch when it will be out. Also the theater
showed a clip of the movie "Windtalkers", about the Native American code talkers in the Pacific during WWII. This movie has Nicolas Cage, and should be out around Christmas. So everyone should read up on these subjects so we will know if Hollywood is doing it right. For "Blackhawk Down" I read some place that the Army let them use actual Rangers.

Dedas · Post by **Dedas** » Sun Jul 29, 2001 3:26 am

What kind of war movie is the "Blackhawk down"?? I haven't heard a thing about it back here in Sweden... (If it isn't big it may not come here at all).

The "Windtalkers", sure I've heard about that one, don't know when it's coming here though. (With Cage in it it can't be bad can it?)

Tombstone · Post by **Tombstone** » Sun Jul 29, 2001 3:29 am

I'm assuming Blackhawk Down is about Mogadishu.. that's just a guess tho.

Heh.

Tomo

Truckeye · Post by **Truckeye** » Sun Jul 29, 2001 3:51 am

Blackhawk Down is an intense book written about the Rangers and Delta Force that went into Mogadeshu Somalia to arrest a warlord. Everything went rather well until a blackwawk was shot down and the troopers went to rescue the pilots. All hell broke loose as the natives began to follow the smoking UH-60. The soldiers had to hold out until a rescue column could force its way through the streets. Its a MUST READ. a modern day Saving Pvt Ryan as far as realism and making you feel like part of the action. The book is based on interviews with soldiers involved. once again, its VERY GOOD, and not afraid to point out the errors of the US in the planning and execution of the plan as well as operational situation in Somalia. jp

SAMWolf · Post by **SAMWolf** » Sun Jul 29, 2001 5:10 am

It's a sad state of affairs when Janet Reno had more tanks supporting the Waco, Texas fiasco than the U.S. Army had supporting the Rangers in Mogadeshu, Somalia.

m10bob · Post by **m10bob** » Sun Jul 29, 2001 7:06 pm

SAM WOLF AMEN!!!!!!!!!

JTGEN · Post by **JTGEN** » Mon Jul 30, 2001 7:57 pm

Funny talking thr same thing in more than one forum. I just read the book in weekend and must say that this is one that had to be done.

I'am just not sure that it is good one even with so good director(Ridley Scott). The problem is Bruckheimer. He is like a reversed Midas. Anything he touches turns from gold to shit.

I'am actually waiting more the Check/UK movie Dark Blue World. That should be a fine war movie, even if that too has two friends after the same girl. With a great director (same as in Kolya). I have seen a trailer (online) and it was great. It has grait airbattle scenes and with interesting historical backround.

Grumble · Post by **Grumble** » Mon Jul 30, 2001 8:16 pm

My concerns over the movie are that they accurately portray:
1- The reaction of the warlords to the announced intent of "not staying long". AARs show that they were afraid of being disarmed; then realized they just needed to hunker down and outlast UN.
2- Interference by Les Aspin and George Stephanopolous in the force mix. They didn't want M1s or AH64s as they were "provacative". Task Force got AH64s, but then SecDef cancelled AC130 CAS orbits and moved them to the French airfield away from Mogadishu.
3- The fact that it was a tactical victory in terms of casualties inflicted.
If "Blackhawk Down" gets those three facts correct-I for one will be impressed.

General Mayhem · Post by **General Mayhem** » Mon Jul 30, 2001 8:26 pm

Originally posted by JTGEN:
Funny talking thr same thing in more than one forum. I just read the book in weekend and must say that this is one that had to be done.

I'am just not sure that it is good one even with so good director(Ridley Scott). The problem is Bruckheimer. He is like a reversed Midas. Anything he touches turns from gold to shit.

It depends on movie. I think 'Crimson Tide' was very good as was 'Armageddon'. In their
own category that is.

But I wouldn't choose him to direct serious
war movies that would need lot of accuracy, like 'Saving Private Ryan'.

jerrysindle · Post by **jerrysindle** » Mon Jul 30, 2001 11:03 pm

The interesting thing I found about "Blackhawk Down" was:

It started out as an exclusive interview between a investigative reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and an unnamed Delta Force soldier concerning a "blown" mission in Somalia. The reporter needed authentic back up testimony so he was "let in" to their secret world. The Rangers and the Delta Force wanted their side of the story told. This led to an intense series in the Philadelphia Inquirer called Blackhawk Down.

The popularity of the series particularly on the Internet but also in Inquirer sales led to the book. The popularity of the book led to the movie, although the author mentioned at the end of the series that a movie might be forthcoming.

The Rangers and Delta Force were in combat almost from the time they repelled down from their Blackhawk helicopters.

The Somali warlords had used the meeting as bait for a trap, and the Rangers and Delta Force were sent right into it.

I hope the movie is half as riveting as the book and newspaper series was. It should be a good one.

mao · Post by **mao** » Mon Jul 30, 2001 11:35 pm

It depends on movie. I think 'Crimson Tide' was very good as was 'Armageddon'.

Sorry to be off topic; but Armageddon was the worst film ever made! (or, at least, in the top 5)

Period.