Black Hawk Down
Summary
Mike Durant is a real - animation military pilot burner and a cardinal frame in the movieBlack Hawk Down . Ridley Scott ’s 2002 war movie recount the harrowing story of the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu , which was a two - day fight between American forces and the Somali National Alliance ( SNA ) . The initial purpose behind the foreign mission was to collar the top police lieutenant of SNA drawing card , Mohammed Farah Aidid . However , the simple mission turn into a disaster when two American Black Hawk helicopters were shot down by SNA forces , leading to a desperate rescue mission for the gang and maroon soldiers . Mike Durant was the cowcatcher of one of those helicopters and was take surety after the clangoring .
In the Oscar - win picture , Ron Eldard play the persona of Durant alongsideBlack Hawk Down ’s castof young stars and talented newcomers , which included Josh Hartnett , Ewan McGregor , Nikolaj Coster Waldau , and Tom Hardy . Black Hawk Downfocuses almost solely on the fight , and while it show the import Michael Durant was captured by SNA effect , it does n’t give many detail about his captivity , his eventual release , or his lifetime afterward .
Black Hawk Downis available to stream on Paramount+ .
Pilot Mike Durant Was Freed After 11 Days During The Black Hawk Down Incident
The Movie Portrays Michael Durant’s Ordeal Fairly Accurately
Black Hawk Downdepicts the eventsthat led to Mike Durant ’s capture with historical accuracy . The first Black Hawk helicopter that was take down during the mission was piloted by Cliff " Elvis " Wolcott . play by Jeremy Piven in the flick , Wolcott is depicted as being champion with Durant with the two argue over their eggbeater radio receiver about the rules of Scrabble . Sadly , Wolcott was kill in the smash , a instant that turned the operation into a saving mission as forces become in to save the survivor .
As the fight continues , the picture then depicts the second Durant ’s Black Hawk was run into . While Michael Durant ab initio felt the whirlybird was undamaged , it soon give out , get it to crash . Also accurate within 1993’sBlack Hawk Down , Delta snipers Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart volunteer to enter the unfriendly area to check for subsister . Unable to move Durant due to his injury , the three man moderate off SNA forces until Gordon and Shugart were drink down and Durant was captured .
Michael Durant was held captive by the Somalian troops for 11 days . He was forced to participate in an interrogation telecasting after being shot in the limb by one of the Somali activist . The video was subsequently unloosen , making international headlines . He was eventually freed and rescued by the International Red Cross , who took him to Germany to start his tenacious road to convalescence . Durant had broken his back and leg so seriously during the Black Hawk crash that doctors told him he would never be able to fly again .
While most war pic are criticize for their inaccuracy , there are many that got various details flop , earning the kudos of military experts .
Everything Mike Durant Accomplished After Retiring From The Army
Michael Durant’s Career Didn’t End After The Events Of Black Hawk Down
Michael Durant was determined to prove that he was still his formidable ego after the crash seen inBlack Hawk Down . He was given a rod inside his leg after being rescue , which he had taken out in 1995 so as to lam the Marine Corps Marathon that year . He defied doctors ' expectation and keep on to be a pilot in the United States military until 2001 when he withdraw with more than 3,700 escape hours .
The real Michael Durant that theBlack Hawk Downcharacter is based on is a extremely decorated war hero and veteran . He has bring in prestigious honors , such as the Prisoner of War Medal , the Purple Heart , and the Distinguished Service Medal , which highlights exceptional performance in duty and service .
Currently 62 years one-time , Durant retired from the military and move to Alabama where he give lectures on military chopper navigate . He also counseled player Ron Eldard to organise for the role inBlack Hawk Down . Durant later went on to pen two books , In the Company of HeroesandThe Night Stalkers , the latter cobalt - written with Steven Hartov . He also became the CEO of an engineering troupe before decide to begin his political career in Alabama . Durant work in the Alabama Senate election in 2022 . He and his married woman Lisa , also an army aviator , have six children and continue to live in Alabama .
