Synopsis

In 1993, US Army Rangers and Delta Force operators enter Mogadishu to capture two lieutenants of Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. When two Black Hawk helicopters are shot down, the mission becomes a desperate rescue operation. Cut off in hostile streets and surrounded by militia fighters, the soldiers struggle through a night of mounting casualties, confusion, and relentless urban combat.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film is based on Mark Bowden's 1999 nonfiction book, which reconstructed the Battle of Mogadishu through interviews with participants and other witnesses.

• Somalia was not used as a filming location. Principal photography took place in Morocco, including the cities of Rabat and Sale, where streets and buildings were adapted to represent Mogadishu.

• The US Department of Defense provided extensive assistance, including helicopters, equipment, pilots, military advisers, and personnel. More than 100 soldiers took part in the production, including veterans of the 1993 battle.

• The actors underwent military familiarization and training at US Army facilities before filming. The preparation included work with Rangers, Special Forces personnel, and Army aviation units.

• To distinguish the finished film from a literal historical record, its opening wording was changed from "This is a true story" to "Based on an actual event."

• The movie emphasizes the American military viewpoint and condenses a lengthy, complex battle into a tightly focused action narrative. Its limited political and Somali perspective has been a frequent subject of historical criticism.

• The production earned an Academy Award for Film Editing and received a nomination for Sound Editing at the 74th Academy Awards.