Black Hawk Down

Corrected entry: In one scene two helicopters fly over troops on the ground. The helicopters are OH-58 Kiowas (Jet Rangers) not UH-60/MH-60 Blackhawks or OH-6/AH-6/MH-6 Cayuses (Little Birds or Loaches).

Correction: There were OH-58 Kiowas over the battle that day, serving as observation helicopters (their role on the battlefield), and reporting back to the commanders in the JOC.

Corrected entry: On the Delta Force uniform right sleeve is sewn an American flag. Frequently throughout the fighting some uniforms have the flag sewn on backwards (with the blue field and stars on the right). Either the costumer had non-Americans sew the uniform insignia without correct instructions; or, it is some kind of statement by the film maker. This would never happen on regulation uniforms.

Correction: The flag decals have the union (the blue area with the stars) on the side closer to the front of the plane/car/person. On the left, the decal shows the flag with the union at the left, as usual. On the right side, the union is on the right. This is done so that the flag looks as if it is blowing in the wind created by forward movement. There are two separate flag patches in the Army inventory: the normal U.S. flag replica that is worn on the left sleeve, and what is referred to as the "reversed field" flag patch, which is worn on the right sleeve.

Corrected entry: The American soldiers are wearing a curious mix of uniforms. The uniforms are the newer set of desert camouflage called DCUs, yet their helmet covers are of the older 'chocolate chip' pattern.

Correction: The "chocolate chip," or six-color desert camouflage, was used in the Persian Gulf war, which was before the incident in Somalia. The three-color they wear in Somalia was the newer, updated color. It's not out of the question that some of them were still wearing the six-color helmet cover on their PAGST's.

Corrected entry: The Somali on the cell phone phoning the militia was not possible. US army intelligence was jamming all non US radio and cell phone signals. This information is taken from the "Blackhawk Down" book. (00:35:30)

Correction: Several journalists were captured and killed in the city prior to the events depicted in the film. It's likely their phones were taken.

Corrected entry: When Durant is in the small room he is shooting through the holes in the walls at attackers. Even though the bricks making up the wall are large, none of them are ever hit by a bullet.

Correction: How is that a mistake? Surrant was firing through the wall. The attackers might not know where it is coming from so not fire at that wall. Hence, no bullet marks.

Ssiscool

Corrected entry: Most of the actions attributed to SSG Matt Eversman in the movie were actually conducted by 1LTs Larry Perino and Tom DiTomasso.

Correction: When adapting a real life event with as many participants as the situation in Mogadishu, it is necessary to make changes, leave things out and bake things together. Instead of showing both Perino, Eversman and DiTomasso they baked things into one character to make it easier for the audience. It would not have worked otherwise.

Corrected entry: During the scene towards the beginning of the film when the rangers are taking target practice you see one guy take out his pistol and start walking up to his target firing at it. Apparently this guy has a death wish because if you look behind him you see the rest of the rangers continue to fire their rifles away while this idiot is walking right into the path of bullets. (00:12:45)

Correction: The Delta soldier in question must be able to trust his companions to fire next to/over him - if he can't do that on the firing range, he definitely can't do it in combat. He is walking a straight line down his firing lane towards his targets. The other soldiers are firing beside him. He isn't walking into the path of bullets.

Corrected entry: After Blackburn fell from the chopper, Matt quickly puts on his goggles to prepare to rope down. You can see he wore gloves on both hands. After Matt roped down, he attended to Blackburn. Watch his right hand placed on Blackburn's chest - he's not wearing his glove.

Correction: This mistake is just a result of poor examining of the movie. Matt ropes down and attends Blackburn. He is still wearing both gloves. Then we see the chopper leaving, then we see Matt again, now with only one glove. He had plenty of time to remove it for being able to examine Blackburn. You can't feel a pulse through a leather glove.

No one has ever fast roped without wearing gloves. You are relying on friction to slow you descent, and this would absolutely tear a hand without gloves to bits.

stiiggy

Black Hawk Down mistake picture

Visible crew/equipment: Near the end of the movie when the convoy is heading back to the Pakistan Stadium, a Humvee stops briefly to allow a man to walk across the street with a child in his arms. When the shot changes and the Humvee begins driving again, a crew member or cameraman is seen inside the Humvee wearing a white shirt. All of the men who entered the Humvee were wearing fatigues. (02:05:27)

More mistakes in Black Hawk Down

Pilla: Colonel, they're shooting at us! Colonel, they're shooting at us!
McKnight: Well shoot back!

More quotes from Black Hawk Down

Trivia: In the scene where Eric Bana is talking with Eversmann after Smith has died, he lets his native Australian accent slip through. The line has something to do with "There will be plenty of time to figure all of that out. Believe me." He uses some sort of faux southern accent through the entire film except for those two words.

More trivia for Black Hawk Down

Question: What ever happened to the pilot that was captured by the Somalians (who had the picture of his wife and child), did he get rescued or killed?

Answer: Mike Durant was released 11 days after his capture. He retired from the Army a few years later and published a book about his time in the 160th.

More questions & answers from Black Hawk Down

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