Cómo sobrevivimos a la caída de los Black Hawk

A very interesting unbiased documentary. It stands out because unlike normal documentaries on this subject the narrative also covers the point of view from Somali side quite well which is quite different to the US point of view. I'm sure it must be uncomfortable for the US public to see that for once the Americans are not only portrayed as heroes. And that the documentary also covers quite sensitive subjects like Americans (accidentally?) killing civilians. Because that did happen but you never hear about it as other documentaires never cover this. I think the makers did their home work and took their time to cover all viewpoints with even attention. Watched all three episodes in one go.

As Episode 1 of "Surviving Black Hawk Down" (2025 release; 3 episodes ranging 47 to 56 min) opens, David, an Army Ranger who was there when it happened, sits down and starts talking into the camera. We then go back to "October 3, 1993" as the Army Rangers and Delta Force are getting ready to head out into Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, for another daring mission. At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this is the latest documentary from director Jack MacInnes ("Leaving Afghanistan"). More importantly, this is produced by Ridley Scott Associates Production. Ridley Scott is of course the director of the well-received 2001 movie "Black Hawk Down". This documentary mini-series covers the same ground, but in greater detail, and with on-camera interviews of plenty of people who lived through these events, both from the US side and from the Somali side. Best of all is that the producers tracked down a Somali who calls himself a "war cameraman", and who videotaped a LOT. On paper, all of this sounds pretty enticing, but now having seen these 3 episodes (in a single setting), there is a major setback, namely the countless reenactments that are peppered throughout this mini-series. I am in general not a fan of reenactments in documentaries, but here it is even worse as most of them are filmed with handheld cameras, resulting in a non-stop barrage of shaky footage that resulted into a headache for me towards the end of this mini-series. It's like you are in the middle of the boxing ring, and absorbing the blow-by-blow account as if you are there yourself. I felt exhausted by the time Episode 3 concluded.

"Surviving Black Hawk Down" started streaming on Netflix a few days ago. If you are a fan of the 2001 Black Hawk Down movie, or simply interested in a slice of geopolitics, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

One can totally relate with the negative reviewers wondering why the lives of the people from Somali were disregarded as enemies when I'm sure 3/4 of them were innocent bystanders. What they fail to realize is the Leader Mohammed was not a saint to the people. They cheered him because I believed that is all they know and whom they thought had their best interest as a whole.

This is why this style of documentary is important because it utilizes the old phrase: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Were Americans wrong for acting like World Police? Or were the Somalians wrong for cheering and parading the dead body of a soldier, in an inhumane way.

I appreciate the view brought to us from the Somalian people because the movie itself gave me a one sided view of everything.

To sum it all up, there were no winners but many tragic losses. Its safe to say war never solves anything.

I was hopeful that this would accurately portray what occurred in providing both context and accurate definitions of those involved in this battle. I found that as other reviewers did, this series lacked an accurate portrayal of the events leading up to the battle, and somehow portraying the Somalis involved as sympathetic. Without any explanation of why Aidad clan was involved in the first place we are left to conclude that the Americans were the butchers. There is no or perhaps very little explanation as to why we are involved in the first place, jumping from American peacekeeping to American Aggression. There are definite good guys and bad guys in this story, but the series chooses to ignore the actions of the warlord Aidad or for all practical purposes hide it. This reminds me of Michael Moore's attempt to describe Iraqi Islamists as "minutemen." This series borders on being a farce as a "documentary."

Surviving Black Hawk Down .

A Harrowing Examination of Vulnerability and Moral Ambiguity in War

Netflix's *Surviving Black Hawk Down* (2025) is a gripping three-part documentary that revisits the infamous 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, offering a visceral portrayal of urban warfare and the precariousness of ground troops without air support. Directed by Jack MacInnes and produced by Ridley Scott, the series juxtaposes firsthand accounts from U. S. soldiers and Somali civilians, creating a tense narrative that forces viewers to confront the brutal realities of combat and its moral complexities .

1. The Vulnerability of Infantry: A Stark Reality The documentary underscores the fragility of even elite forces like the Army Rangers and Delta Force when stripped of air superiority. The downing of two Black Hawk helicopters transforms a routine mission into a desperate fight for survival, trapping soldiers in a hostile urban maze. Through harrowing interviews, veterans recount their shock at being pinned down by Somali militias armed with RPGs and AK-47s, highlighting how quickly technology and training can be neutralized in asymmetric warfare . Archival footage of soldiers scrambling for cover under relentless fire drives home the chaos, emphasizing how the absence of air support left them exposed and outgunned .

2. Moral Gray Zones and Allegations of War Crimes The series does not shy away from implicating both sides in acts that skirt-or cross-ethical boundaries. Somali interviewees describe civilian casualties caused by U. S. forces, while American soldiers defend their actions as necessary for survival in a city where combatants blended with non-combatants . One gut-wrenching scene shows Delta Force operatives raiding a home, pointing guns at a family, with a soldier coldly reflecting, *"At the time, I was like, 'F them!'"* . Such moments force viewers to grapple with the dehumanizing effects of war, where split-second decisions carry lifelong consequences.

Critics argue the documentary leans toward justifying U. S. actions, particularly by framing Somali militias as aggressors who fired indiscriminately in populated areas . However, it also includes damning omissions, such as the lack of historical context for U. S. involvement (e.g., Aidid's weaponization of famine) and minimal acknowledgment of civilian deaths caused by American firepower . This selective framing risks perpetuating a one-sided narrative, even as it attempts balance.

3. Lessons in Futility and Human Cost The documentary's greatest strength lies in its unflinching depiction of war's futility. Survivors from both sides-including a Somali cameraman who filmed the chaos-recount stories of loss and trauma, dismantling any notion of "heroes" or "villains" . A Somali woman whose home became a battleground and a U. S. veteran haunted by killing a child combatant exemplify the shared humanity amid carnage . As one reviewer notes, *"There were no winners, but many tragic losses"* .

Conclusion: A Flawed but Essential Watch While *Surviving Black Hawk Down* occasionally falters in historical depth and tributes to fallen soldiers (e.g., neglecting Medal of Honor recipients Gordon and Shughart) , its raw storytelling and dual perspectives make it a vital educational tool. It challenges viewers to reflect on the ethics of interventionism, the myth of "clean" warfare, and the cyclical nature of violence.

Final Takeaway: This series is not just a recounting of past events but a mirror to contemporary conflicts. As drone warfare and urban battles dominate modern headlines, *Surviving Black Hawk Down* serves as a stark reminder that war's true cost is measured in human lives-a lesson we desperately need to learn .

Rating: 8/10 - A brutally honest, if imperfect, exploration of war's chaos and moral ambiguity.