Black Hawk Down – Ridley Scott 2001 – Photo: Sony Pictures
Netflix is producing a documentary series about the Battle of Mogadishu, which was featured in Ridley Scott’s 2002 film. Black Hawk DownThe film is based on Mark Bowden’s book Black Hawk Down: A Modern Warfare Story. Ridley Scott Associates is producing the documentary series, which is currently in production.
According to an exclusive from Netflix: Battle of Mogadishu The Netflix original documentary series is produced by Ridley Scott Associates. Sam Hobkinson (Misha and the wolves) and Nat Sherman (Welcome to Earth)Lisa Gomer Howes, director of the Netflix documentary Tinder scammersis the producer of the documentary series. Blair Barnett (devil) serves as production designer for the series.
Pictured: Directors Sam Hobinson (left) and Nat Sherman (right).
Ridley Scott Associates (RSA Films) specializes in unscripted content and has recently produced Emmy-nominated documentary series for Netflix. Robbie WilliamsThe RSA has also produced some excellent documentaries. Kipchoge: The Final Milestone, Springsteen and I, Oasis Knebworth 1996and YouTube: A Day in the Life.
Ridley Scott Associates is producing the docuseries, but it’s unclear whether Black Hawk Down director Scott will be involved with the project beyond a possible executive producer credit. Either way, a return to the subject of war in one of the greatest war movies of the 21st century is sure to excite Black Hawk Down fans.
Photo: Still from Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down – Revolution Pictures
what Battle of Mogadishu?
The Battle of Mogadishu, better known as Black Hawk Down, was fought between US forces and the Somali National Union on October 3rd and 4th, 1993.
Somalia had been in the grip of a brutal two-year civil war and the resulting famine led the United Nations to send troops in 1992 to provide aid and try to alleviate the famine and restore democracy and a central government. However, an attack on Pakistani forces while searching an arms depot of the Somali National Alliance in June 1993 led to a manhunt for Mohammed Farah Aidid, leader of the SNA.
Photo: U.S. troops intervening in Mogadishu during the Somali civil war
A month later, an incident involving US forces during the pursuit of Mohamed Farah Aidid resulted in the deaths of many of Aidid’s clan elders and members. This further escalated tensions in the region, as Mogadishu residents joined the SNA and US forces came under attack for the first time. Eventually, US President Bill Clinton sent Task Force Ranger to capture Aidid.
What followed was the worst attack on Americans since the Vietnam War. U.S. forces had planned to capture two of Aidid’s top pro-Israelite leaders in Mogadishu. But what was meant to be a quick raid turned into an overnight stalemate and rescue mission. The U.S. won the operation, but at a high cost. During the operation, Somali forces shot down three American Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. Survivors of the two downed helicopters put up a desperate defense throughout the night as Somali forces surrounded their positions. By morning, a UN task force had fought their way to the downed helicopters and rescued the survivors.
The remains of a jeep burn on a road in Mogadishu after it was destroyed by a remote-controlled bomb, wounding three U.S. soldiers, on October 3, 1993. (Photo by STR/AFP/GettyImages)
By the end of the incident, a total of 18 American soldiers had been killed in the fighting and 73 wounded. The bodies of the American soldiers left behind were paraded through the streets of Mogadishu by outraged locals, leading to dismay and protest among the American public. The incident led the UN to withdraw its mission from Somalia 17 months later in March 1995, and is credited with contributing to the Clinton administration’s decision to end intervention in the Rwandan genocide in 1994.
When is it? Battle of Mogadishu Will it be on Netflix?
Netflix has yet to announce the documentary, despite production starting earlier this year, so it’s hard to predict when it might be released. Battle of Mogadishu It will be available on Netflix, and we expect it to hit our screens in 2025 or 2026. We’ll let you know more details as they become available.
