Quentin Tarantino has named Black Hawk Down as the best film of the 21st century during a recent appearance on the Bret Easton Ellis podcast. The acclaimed director of Pulp Fiction and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood expressed how the film, initially released in 2001, has grown in significance for him over time, referring to it as “a masterwork.”
Set during a disastrous US Army mission in Mogadishu in 1993, Black Hawk Down dramatizes the harrowing events that unfolded when two helicopters crashed in the city. Isolated and surrounded, Army Rangers and special forces fought desperately to locate their comrades and survive the chaos. Under the direction of Ridley Scott, the film utilizes a star-studded cast and intense action sequences to immerse viewers in the brutal realities of combat.
Tarantino highlighted the exceptional direction, stating, “The feat of direction is beyond extraordinary.” While he praised the film’s technical achievements, he also acknowledged criticisms regarding its portrayal of the Somali people, who are depicted largely as antagonists without much contextual background. Instead, the film focuses on the immediate struggles of the soldiers, a choice that has influenced subsequent war films like Dunkirk.
He elaborated, “This is the only movie that actually goes completely for an Apocalypse Now sense of purpose and visual effect and feeling… my heart was going through the entire runtime of the movie; it had me and never let me go.”
The film’s technical aspects, including its cinematography by Slawomir Idziak, contribute significantly to the storytelling. The deliberately desaturated color palette enhances the film’s gritty atmosphere, portraying the dusty streets and harsh conditions of Mogadishu. Viewers with high-quality displays can appreciate the nuanced contrast between the sun-bleached exteriors and shadowy interiors, which add depth to the viewing experience.
The ensemble cast includes notable actors such as Ewan McGregor, Jason Isaacs, Ewen Bremner, and Tom Hardy in his first film role. Editor Pietro Scalia, who won an Academy Award for his work on the film, skillfully navigates the overlapping narratives and characters, essential in a story filled with identically dressed soldiers.
Another Academy Award was awarded for Best Sound, an aspect that greatly enhances the film’s impact. The sound design captures the intensity of the helicopters and the chaotic battlefield, creating an immersive experience for the audience. The film’s almost ceaseless gunfire and explosions are strategically layered, making it feel as though viewers are trapped in a city under siege.
Currently, Black Hawk Down is widely available for streaming and rental. For an optimal experience, Tarantino recommends viewing it on high-definition formats like Blu-ray 4K with Dolby Atmos sound systems, emphasizing that the film is designed to be experienced on the largest screen possible.
Whether or not one agrees with Tarantino’s assessment, Black Hawk Down remains a significant work in modern cinema, showcasing the complexities of war and the human experience within it.
