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I've long awaited this since I've seen it advertised, especially from the Somali perspective. I knew going into it, especially with said perspective, that there will be a lot of angry Somalis who have inevitably been mislead into believing propaganda that exists even to this day.

This documentary series leaves out a LOT of context, especially related to why the U. S. was even there.

Here's just some of the stuff it leaves out:

1. Hostility by locals to the UN mission, and attacks that occurred resulting in the deaths of 30 peacekeepers months before hand. 25 were Pakistani, 5 were American and 2 were Italian.

2. Aidid was originally on good terms with the UN / US, until the UN prevented him and his militia from stealing food aid to starve out his opposition and feed his growing army. As time wore on and he further weaponized starvation, a ICC warrant was issued for his arrest.

3. The reason for distrust among US / UN soldiers about Somali locals, which were a series of bombings committed by militia that blended in with the local population.

4. Women and children were in fact involved in the fighting, though the number of casualties of combatant women and children is unclear to this day. Old clips recorded at the time even show women / children with AK-47 rifles and RPGs, and reports of this were corroborated by other UN soldiers present in the area at the time. This event had a HUGE influence on the rules of engagement involving civilians during later conflicts such as the Iraq war, and influenced urban battle doctrine.

5. The involvement of the Malaysians and Pakistani troops in the rescue convoy.

Originally during Operation Restore Hope, the US had very limited involvement, as many Americans back home did not want to become entangled in yet another war. Somalia is not resource rich, and even to this day we have limited diplomatic involvement with it. The war is still going on to this day.

The documentary seems to unfairly paint the US as the agitator, despite the fact that Somali fighters were firing widely and launching RPGs in densely populated areas. Many civilians were killed during the Durant crash, which further caused anger among civilians, civilians who fail to realize that it was their own people who shot down the helicopter over a densely populated area. This is part of why the US is very hesitant to get involved in humanitarian issues abroad, as despite our intentions the local population never seems to be thankful and would take the word of a tyrannical warlord over us. There was outrage when we ended our involvement in Somalia in 1995 as well.

Ultimately it's a good documentary, but leaves out a lot of history and doesn't really add anything new to the story that can't be found in other documentaries, short of civilians and fighters who are always going to minimize their culpability, the only one being remotely thankful is the women who's house they had to use as shelter.

I start of by saying, all the negative reviews is by blindsided patriotic Americans that just cannot comprehend the message this documentary is trying to send. It is showing ordinary people caught up in war, it's showing how disgusting war is. One dialoge in episode 2 actually sums up entire series, americans breach some house where family is with their new born kid, they tie up the man and pointing guns at the rest of the family, then you hear delta force guy recollecting the story a he says "at the time I was like F them!". Why is it part sums up the documentary? Because after watching one episode you understand both their views, and you realize nobody is the good guy here, just like in war, where you do things best to you ability and do things you have to in order to survive. Image you are some guy in Colorado with good life there, in your adulthood, you join the army and end up is Somalia, in some mission you lost many of your good friends, are you at the time gonna sympathize with the Somalian people? I don't think so. Same goes for the Somalian side of the story, are you actually gonna believe these Americans is here to save you, if all day you hear helicopters around, people dying everywhere and they treat you like a potential enemy etc. ? I don't think so.

It's story that shows how difficult and gore war actually is, I believe it's must watch for everybody try to join the Army or if you try to understand what these people have endure in combat. Good documentary.

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.

More than 30 years after the Battle of Mogadishu, Surviving Black Hawk Down revisits one of the most harrowing military engagements in modern history. This documentary offers a raw, unflinching look at the events of October 3-4, 1993, when elite US Army Rangers and Delta Force soldiers found themselves trapped in an urban warzone, facing overwhelming opposition from Somali militiamen and civilians. While the film succeeds in immersing viewers in the chaos and brutality of that day, it falls short in fully honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

One of the documentary's greatest strengths is its ability to capture the sheer intensity of the battle. Through interviews with surviving soldiers and those on the ground in Mogadishu, Surviving Black Hawk Down reconstructs the mission with a visceral immediacy that makes it impossible to look away. The testimonies from US veterans are particularly moving, as they recount moments of extreme courage, terror, and loss. These firsthand accounts provide an unfiltered glimpse into what it was like to fight in the narrow streets of Mogadishu, with little chance of escape and no certainty of survival.

The documentary also brings in voices from the Somali side, offering an attempt at balance. However, while some interviewees provide valuable context on the situation in Somalia at the time, others appear bitter and devoid of empathy for the American soldiers who were caught in the crossfire. The lack of reflection or acknowledgment of the human cost on both sides makes it difficult to fully connect with their perspectives. This contrast between the deeply emotional accounts from US veterans and the often cold, detached responses from some Somali participants creates an emotional divide that the film does not quite reconcile.

While the documentary does a strong job of recounting the battle itself, it stumbles when it comes to properly honouring those who died. One glaring omission is the lack of a tribute to the US soldiers who lost their lives. A simple list of names at the end of the film would have been a powerful way to acknowledge their sacrifice, yet no such recognition is given. This feels like a missed opportunity, especially for a film that sets out to tell the story of survival and loss.

Similarly, one of the most extraordinary acts of bravery during the battle-the heroic defense of downed Black Hawk pilot Michael Durant-receives shockingly little attention. Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart, both Delta Force operators, volunteered to be dropped into a hostile area to protect Durant, fully aware that they were likely sacrificing their lives. Their actions earned them the Medal of Honor, yet the documentary barely touches on their story. There are no photographs, no in-depth discussion of their heroism, and no real effort to ensure their legacy is remembered. Given the gravity of their sacrifice, this omission is particularly disappointing.

Despite its shortcomings, Surviving Black Hawk Down remains a powerful and necessary documentary. It sheds light on an often-overlooked chapter of military history, reminding us of the brutal realities of war and the resilience of those who endure it. The storytelling is compelling, and the accounts from US veterans are deeply moving. However, the film's reluctance to fully honour the fallen and its sometimes one-sided portrayal of Somali perspectives hold it back from being a definitive retelling of the battle.

For those familiar with Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down (2001), this documentary serves as a crucial companion piece, providing the real-life voices behind the dramatized events. However, it could have been so much more. With a stronger focus on honouring the fallen and a more nuanced exploration of both sides of the conflict, Surviving Black Hawk Down could have cemented itself as an essential historical documentary. As it stands, it is gripping and thought-provoking-but it leaves a sense of unfinished business, much like the battle itself.

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.

As someone who has endured the horrors of civil war in Eastern Africa, I can attest that war is a grim, complex reality, never simply black and white. The so-called "good" side often commits atrocities too-Ukrainian drones targeting surrendered Russian soldiers, American bombers devastating Tokyo in WWII, the Allied destruction of Dresden, or Israeli actions in Gaza. The list is endless.

To label the Americans who intervened to aid starving Somalis as evil is foolish. Similarly, branding Somalis who turned hostile after losing loved ones in crossfire as villains is arrogant and naive.

The best path forward is to learn from our mistakes and embrace forgiveness. We've done this effectively in other areas-improving nuclear safety after Chernobyl or implementing the Halo in F1 after tragic accidents. War demands the same reflection and growth.

... as to why US and troops from other countries were sent there. Mohamed Farrah Aidid was systematically engaged in torturing and killing individuals from other tribes. The United Nations pushed to have foreign forces enter the country to stop the killing. The strongest part of the documentary were the interviews with those who were there on both sides. I'm not a fan of recreations when it comes to history so that could all be eliminated. Instead they could have expanded the interviews or given more background on why the troops were there in the first place. Much of the footage looked like it was extracted from the movie, Black Hawk down. In the end, the US got what it wanted when an induced heart attack following surgery killed Aidid.

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.

The whole of the first episode is dedicated to telling us about the poor lovely folks in Samalia. No context to the war, no mention of the evil that was going on.

General Mohamed Farah Aidid's forces were accused of targeting the Darod clan, particularly in Mogadishu, where many were tortured, executed or expelled.

The Hawiye-dominated USC (United Somali Congress) was responsible for widespread violence against Darod communities after the fall of President Siad Barr, including crimes too horrific to mention here.

But hey it's Netflix delivering "the message".

That said it is excellent in every other way. Whilst too long on "the message" once over it becomes excellent and worth watching.

As someone who watched the movie Black Hawk Down in the cinema and liked it very much, the words of the Somali women in the documentary touch me deeply.

What the wonderful women Halima, Weheliye and Binti Adan had to say was heartbreaking.

It took incredible courage for Staff Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant Randy Shughart to go to the rescue knowing they were sacrificing their lives. I think their end in the conflict was not explored much in the documentary because of what happened to them.

I also really liked Ahmed 'Five" Cameraman...

After all, American politicians made decisions in Washington according to their own minds. Young American soldiers fought in Somalia at the cost of killing civilians. They died, they killed. Then they returned as if nothing had happened, when the politicians wanted them to.

Here is what US citizens need to understand; Your politicians do not understand the world, they don't care about ordinary people...

This is a nice documentary on the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. Ridley Scott's team had a hand in this which I can appreciate some. Unfortunately Netflix put the usual globalist mumbo jumbo spin on it.

I get it, it's nice to see both sides with a little context. Unfortunately here the Somalis are pure barbarians that spew their American hatred while Netflix reviles in it.

I'm only giving a 7/10 because I appreciated the Americans account of one of the worst days of their lives and poor widows accounts of losing their husbands in such a tragic humanitarian disaster.

The involvement of actual Somali insurgent interviews I felt was very tasteless. These "people" were murdering and starving their own people left and right and are still in a "civil war" 30 years later.

A part of me thinks we shouldn't have even been involved and the way Clinton had our troops cut and run with their tails between their legs was pretty embarrassing. It's not a bad documentary I suppose, I just don't appreciate Netflix's consistent anti-American message. 7/10.

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.

A 3-part documentary that accurately chronicles what happened on 3-4 October 1993 in Mogadishu. Very balanced, since it includes testimony from both sides (US military, Somali fighters and civilians), which makes it stand out compared to other similar efforts. Gives you a detailed and well-rounded account of the events that took place during that two-day period.

The main problem for me was the rapid pace, constant gunfire sound via reenactments and the accompanying music. All this makes it feel like a really long trailer instead of a docu. On the plus side, it's only 3 episodes, which makes it watchable despite the rapid image switching.

The filmmakers tried to make the documentary "balanced". But when you put the American Rangers and Delta Force as equal opponents against the tribal gangs on Aidid's side, something is wrong...

The Americans didn't go to occupy Somalia in 1993. They came there because there was famine in the country and the UN was no longer able to handle it. They wanted to arrest the main culprits of the endless banditry, and yet in the eyes of the Somalis they became "usurpers". In the documentary, the Somali fighters speak as if it were a glorious fight for freedom. Meanwhile, the country continues to fight endlessly to this day (2025), even though the US withdrew after failure in 1993. I can admit that the communists in Vietnam fought "for freedom" (the documentary The Vietnam War), even though freedom in that country is not yet after their victory, at least they were guided by some unifying idea... But in Somalia it is about a lifestyle and its fulfillment, where many have never known anything else in their lives, as is evident from the interviews.

Missing: Malaysians and Pakistani troops in the rescue convoy.

Something in our perception of the world is very wrong.

This documentary is well-produced, sharply edited, and visually gripping-but make no mistake: watching it is not easy. It's heavy, and at times, downright enraging.

"Surviving Black Hawk Down" gives a raw, personal account of the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu through the eyes of the American soldiers and pilots who lived it. Their courage, discipline, and brotherhood are undeniable. From the elite Rangers and Delta operators to the Night Stalkers who flew their birds into hell and back-these men exemplified everything honorable about service. The doc does a good job of capturing the chaos, the sacrifice, and the grit it took to survive nearly 18 hours under relentless fire, outnumbered, and cut off.

But while it succeeds in honoring our warfighters, it stumbles when it comes to broader context. The historical and political backdrop feels underexplored. Why were we there? What was the real scale of the mission gone wrong? For viewers less familiar with the background, it leaves too much unsaid. It doesn't fully connect the dots, and the bigger picture remains vague.

And then-there's the hardest part to stomach.

Seeing Somali militia fighters-the very men who shot at, mutilated, and dragged American soldiers through the streets-now sitting in front of a camera, smug, satisfied, and arrogant, boasting about ambushing Americans and downing helicopters. These are not survivors reflecting on war. These aren't misunderstood rebels. These are killers, smirking decades later like they won something. They bask in the memory of slaughter, gloating like warlords, spinning murder and barbarism into honor. These men talk about their "victory" like it was glorious. Like they earned something noble. It's deeply enraging.

But here's what they'll never understand:

They might sit in front of cameras, but they'll never have the brotherhood. They'll never have the sacrifice. The discipline. The honor. No smirk can erase that. No twisted version of history can undo what those American soldiers stood for that day.

This documentary may lack full context-but the courage of the men it portrays comes through loud and clear. Watch it to honor them. Watch it to remember. But prepare to be angry-and don't let go of that anger too easily. Some stories demand it.

This documentary series blew me away. It interviews several prior US Army Rangers, US Delta Force, Somalian fighters, and Somalian civilians. All of which were present and impacted by the battle over October 3rd-4th, 1993, in Mogadishu. AKA - Black Hawk Down.

Having these first hand accounts of war is unparalleled. Everyone interviewed has such a unique perspective to how the battle unfolded, and yet it was all so cohesive. You see war through the lens of young men who joined the military; a country struggling with civil war; civilians who are conflicted on who to trust and where to turn; and politicians who are greedy. Ultimately this documentary series highlights that war affects everyone. There really is no "winner".

It is also worth mentioning that a Somalian reporter captured some incredibly powerful video from October 3rd and 4th, which is shown in this series. It's harrowing to see the effects of war essentially in real time, as bullets continue to fly and explosions continue to erupt.

The only improvements I would make would be to add context and to improve the B reels. There was a lot leading up to the Battle of Mogadishu - it didn't spark overnight. There was a ton of moving parts and political unrest, and this documentary series only really gives the bare minimum of context. Albeit, I'll take it, because the interviews and storytelling was worth it. More context can be gained on your own if you are interested.

As far as B reels go - some of the cut scenes with actors depicting war bothered me. Not all guns are automatic. No one is ever seen reloading. The movement looked untrained at times. But, I suppose thats the price you pay when hiring actors. And at the end of the day, this series is about the stories told and the raw footage, not the cut scenes that were placed for color.

War is mean, viscous, nasty, grotesque, cruel and insane.

The difference between the hero and the enemy can be hard to find, HOWEVER when you find yourself committing unspeakable acts against someone you perceive as evil, you become the monster you proclaim to hate. The cruelty of the mob mentality, where one brilliantly obtuse person acts as a cancer that metastasizes into the most inhumane and sickening actions that become the fuel that forces your enemy to retaliate.

These are the atrocities of war that awakened us, in 1993, to what horrific behaviors were being committed in the name of the United Nations, and their 'peacekeeping' missions- the supposed police of the world who've done nothing of value, perpetrated ridiculous crimes and created more havoc than that which they were supposed to be preventing. Bill Clinton and his many wars; those of unnecessary and inconceivable consequences, and those in Congress who always seem all too willing to ship our children to fight in these forever wars. While their own children somehow live in a protected bubble, that they'll never be sent to fight against something no one understands, for benefits that keep the military industrial complex not only alive, but thriving.

I'm so grateful that these young men were able to escape and that Mike Durant was allowed to live. But the insanity of the situation to combat Aidid, who was STEALING AID FROM HIS OWN PEOPLE, it's quite obvious that these people are obviously quite pleased with this monster, so who are we to inflict our politics on their turmoil? Why is it necessary to invade when the people do not want us there, and it's also quite obvious that those bags STAMPED WITH USAID, that are doing nothing but enriching an warlord without a shred of decency in his veins, should have been halted, and our military never enters into Somalia.

We don't view ourselves as some romanticized 'super power', we were doing what we thought was the right thing- but what this taught many of us is, we have no business acting on behalf of any entity proclaiming to be righteous. The Somali people were quite capable of fighting, obviously. If they were tired of being hungry and oppressed, it's up to them to fight for themselves.

This documentary was BEAUTIFUL. Powerful, insightful, fresh, EYE OPENING. I was actually about to post on my fan site (100,000k+ followers) talking about how powerful this is. So I come here to get more details and appalled to see negative reviews. Thinking who tf has anything negative to say about this and the incredible soldiers in it!? Then I started reading and was like oh... (eye roll). The narrow and absent minded literally too dumb to comprehend the history and scope of complex geo politics. I was literally thinking in my mind about posting on my fan page how the REAL world (Im contract military) isnt black and white like all the over bloated stupid super hero movies. Heres the bad guy, heres the good guy... yay flashy cgi good guy wins yay! This documentary is made (and clearly those people very much miss the point) to show geo politics arnt so black and white. It didnt NEED to have a long drawn out background and set up. Obviously its made (VERY WELL) for fans of the film and history fans. If you want to know more READ A BOOK AND EDUCATE YOURSELF.

What I thought VERY highly of and praise was the side of the Somali who were there. Amazing. Incredible. It doesnt matter who was right and who was wrong. ITS NOT ALWAYS THAT SIMPLE. Its fascinating to hear and understand their side. So many history documentaries try pathetically to paint the simple We were good they were bad. Blah blah blah.

AMAZING DOCUMENTARY. 10/10. Bravo.