Movie Criticism:
Some critics view the film as blatant propaganda on behalf of US military intervention, even though the US military was there at UN request to protect food shipments to civilians from Somali warlords. Unlike Scott's earlier film G.I. Jane, Black Hawk Down received the full cooperation of the US military and he allowed the military a veto over every aspect of the film in order to receive this level of military involvement. Some argue that this resulted in a biased finished product, although it is not clear whether the U.S. military asked Scott to modify or censor the film in any way.
The film is shot entirely from the point of view of the American soldiers. Unlike Mark Bowden's book, the film does not depict the extensive civilian casualties of the Battle of Mogadishu, or the use of civilians as human shields by the Somali militia.
The film also portrays the delays in UN rescue as stemming in part from spite on the part of UN forces at not being informed about the mission, possibly suggesting they were willing to let US soldiers die for petty politics. Bowden's book argues that the delay was more due to inadequate contingency planning on the part of all parties involved.
Other omissions and inaccuracies are listed in articles such as "What Black Hawk Down Left Out" in Slate [1], which argues among other things that the Somalis who engaged the American soldiers that day believed themselves to be acting justly in response to disproportionate and perceived cruel American and international military tactics against them. The Somalis were apparently especially outraged by two retaliatory UN attacks shortly before the Ranger raid, in which women, children and clan elders meeting with Somali warlords were killed.
The Malaysian government criticized the movie for not giving the Malaysian soldiers involved in the rescue mission enough recognition. One Malaysian soldier died during the rescue attempt. An American soldier wrote in a letter that he was grateful for the bravery and courage of the Malaysian soldiers, which helped prevent the deaths of 200 of his compatriots.
The film neglects the wider political context in which the battle took place thereby reducing it to a simple story of good vs evil. The truth is more complex. The US and UN were seen as supporting one clan, Ali Mahdi, over that of the rival one led by Aidid. This was further compounded by the July 12th missile attack by the US on a meeting involving members of Aidid's clan who were arguing for negotiation. The large number of casualties and the fact that they were leading members of the clan, caused a backlash towards the US/UN and helped strengthen Aidid's position.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hawk_Down#The_making_of_the_film
The Battle of Mogadishu was fought between forces of the United States by order of U.S. President Bill Clinton against Somali guerrilla fighters loyal to warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid on October 3 and 4, 1993 in Mogadishu, Somalia.
A Squadron of Delta Force, Army Rangers, 10th Mountain Division, US Navy SEALs, Air Force Pararescue and Marines executed an operation that involved traveling from their compound on the outskirts of the city to capture leaders of Aidid's militia. The assault force was composed of nineteen aircraft, twelve vehicles and 160 men. During the operation, two U.S. MH-60 helicopters were shot down by rocket propelled grenades (RPG), and three others were damaged. Some of the soldiers were able to evacuate wounded back to the compound, but others were trapped at the crash sites and cut off. An urban battle ensued throughout the night. Early the next morning, a joint task force was sent to rescue the trapped troops. It contained soldiers from Pakistan, Malaysia, and U.S. soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division. They assembled some 60 vehicles, including Pakistani tanks, Malaysian Condor armored personnel carriers, and were supported by US A/MH-6 Little Bird and MH-60 helicopters. This task force reached the first crash site and led the trapped soldiers out. The second crash site was overrun; the lone surviving American was taken prisoner, but later released.
Figures are unknown, but American estimates are that approximately 1000 Somali militiamen and civilians lost their lives in the battle, with injuries to another 3000-4000. Estimates from the book Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War estimated more than 500 Somali militiamen dead, and more than one thousand wounded. More definitely, 18 American soldiers died, and 73 were wounded (another American soldier was killed in a mortar attack a day later). One Malaysian soldier died, and seven were wounded; two Pakistanis were also wounded.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mogadishu
Now just looking back on this battle, I have had three different ideas about this battle to begin with.
When I was really young, I thought, great America was going in to help these people and it was some kind of heroic battle where America was the good guys and the little Somalis were the bad guys.
Then recently, I thought, no this was just American stupidity, along with U.N stupidity as they were trying to support their own desired people, and another form of imperialism.
And I didn't feel to sorry for the American soldiers who died in the battle.
But now looking back on it and you can apply it to anywhere, American soldiers were just doing there jobs and it was the politics behind the scenes, in Washington and in New York and in other world cities that resulted in this deadly battle.
So I can now feel sorry for the soldiers, the militiamen and the civilians who died in this battle because they were all wrapped up in the political game that goes on.
Some critics view the film as blatant propaganda on behalf of US military intervention, even though the US military was there at UN request to protect food shipments to civilians from Somali warlords. Unlike Scott's earlier film G.I. Jane, Black Hawk Down received the full cooperation of the US military and he allowed the military a veto over every aspect of the film in order to receive this level of military involvement. Some argue that this resulted in a biased finished product, although it is not clear whether the U.S. military asked Scott to modify or censor the film in any way.
The film is shot entirely from the point of view of the American soldiers. Unlike Mark Bowden's book, the film does not depict the extensive civilian casualties of the Battle of Mogadishu, or the use of civilians as human shields by the Somali militia.
The film also portrays the delays in UN rescue as stemming in part from spite on the part of UN forces at not being informed about the mission, possibly suggesting they were willing to let US soldiers die for petty politics. Bowden's book argues that the delay was more due to inadequate contingency planning on the part of all parties involved.
Other omissions and inaccuracies are listed in articles such as "What Black Hawk Down Left Out" in Slate [1], which argues among other things that the Somalis who engaged the American soldiers that day believed themselves to be acting justly in response to disproportionate and perceived cruel American and international military tactics against them. The Somalis were apparently especially outraged by two retaliatory UN attacks shortly before the Ranger raid, in which women, children and clan elders meeting with Somali warlords were killed.
The Malaysian government criticized the movie for not giving the Malaysian soldiers involved in the rescue mission enough recognition. One Malaysian soldier died during the rescue attempt. An American soldier wrote in a letter that he was grateful for the bravery and courage of the Malaysian soldiers, which helped prevent the deaths of 200 of his compatriots.
The film neglects the wider political context in which the battle took place thereby reducing it to a simple story of good vs evil. The truth is more complex. The US and UN were seen as supporting one clan, Ali Mahdi, over that of the rival one led by Aidid. This was further compounded by the July 12th missile attack by the US on a meeting involving members of Aidid's clan who were arguing for negotiation. The large number of casualties and the fact that they were leading members of the clan, caused a backlash towards the US/UN and helped strengthen Aidid's position.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hawk_Down#The_making_of_the_film
The Battle of Mogadishu was fought between forces of the United States by order of U.S. President Bill Clinton against Somali guerrilla fighters loyal to warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid on October 3 and 4, 1993 in Mogadishu, Somalia.
A Squadron of Delta Force, Army Rangers, 10th Mountain Division, US Navy SEALs, Air Force Pararescue and Marines executed an operation that involved traveling from their compound on the outskirts of the city to capture leaders of Aidid's militia. The assault force was composed of nineteen aircraft, twelve vehicles and 160 men. During the operation, two U.S. MH-60 helicopters were shot down by rocket propelled grenades (RPG), and three others were damaged. Some of the soldiers were able to evacuate wounded back to the compound, but others were trapped at the crash sites and cut off. An urban battle ensued throughout the night. Early the next morning, a joint task force was sent to rescue the trapped troops. It contained soldiers from Pakistan, Malaysia, and U.S. soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division. They assembled some 60 vehicles, including Pakistani tanks, Malaysian Condor armored personnel carriers, and were supported by US A/MH-6 Little Bird and MH-60 helicopters. This task force reached the first crash site and led the trapped soldiers out. The second crash site was overrun; the lone surviving American was taken prisoner, but later released.
Figures are unknown, but American estimates are that approximately 1000 Somali militiamen and civilians lost their lives in the battle, with injuries to another 3000-4000. Estimates from the book Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War estimated more than 500 Somali militiamen dead, and more than one thousand wounded. More definitely, 18 American soldiers died, and 73 were wounded (another American soldier was killed in a mortar attack a day later). One Malaysian soldier died, and seven were wounded; two Pakistanis were also wounded.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mogadishu
Now just looking back on this battle, I have had three different ideas about this battle to begin with.
When I was really young, I thought, great America was going in to help these people and it was some kind of heroic battle where America was the good guys and the little Somalis were the bad guys.
Then recently, I thought, no this was just American stupidity, along with U.N stupidity as they were trying to support their own desired people, and another form of imperialism.
And I didn't feel to sorry for the American soldiers who died in the battle.
But now looking back on it and you can apply it to anywhere, American soldiers were just doing there jobs and it was the politics behind the scenes, in Washington and in New York and in other world cities that resulted in this deadly battle.
So I can now feel sorry for the soldiers, the militiamen and the civilians who died in this battle because they were all wrapped up in the political game that goes on.
