Black Hawk Down

directed by Ridley Scott
USA 2001

Highly acclaimed "Black Hawk Down", directed by Ridley Scott, is the story of a U.S. military engagement that turned sour as it met with unexpected resistance. With the backdrop to an under-exposed tragedy of over 350,000 starving human beings in Somalia 93' where the US attempted to offer aid. With disregard for both cultural and the domestic climate the single-minded 'peacekeepers' were eventually forced to withdraw after numerous causalities. Poor planning and intolerance for local existence led to further tragedy in a seemingly accurate portrayal of war and personal involvement. Great cinematography (Slawomir Idziak) highlights this strong effort that sifts the political rhetoric into real action and its often horrific circumstance for the individuals involved.

- Gary W. Tooze

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Theatrical Release: December 18, 2001

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DVD Comparison:

Columbia (Single Disc) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Columbia (Special Ed. 3-Disc) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Columbia (Superbit SE 3-disc) - Region 3 - NTSC

Big thanks to Enrique B Chamorro for all the Screen Caps!

(Columbia (Single Disc) - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Columbia (Special Ed.) - Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Columbia (Superbit SE) - Region 3 - NTSC - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers
Distribution	Columbia Region 1 - NTSC	Columbia Region 1 - NTSC	Columbia Region 3 - NTSC
Runtime	2:24:10	2:24:10	2:24:10
Video	2.40:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 4.99 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	2.40:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 6.10 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	2.40:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 6.65 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Columbia (Single Disc)
Bitrate: Columbia (Special Ed.)
Bitrate: Columbia (Superbit SE)
Audio	English DD 5.1, French DD 2.0	English DD 5.1, French & Spanish DD 2.0	English DD 5.1, DTS 5.1
Subtitles	English, French, Chinese, Thai, none	English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Thai, none	English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Chinese, Thai, none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Columbia Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 2.40:1 Edition Details: • VOB file dates: 04/03/02 • Production notes • Theatrical trailer • On the set featurette DVD Release Date: 06/11/02 Plastic Keepcase Chapters 28	Release Information: Studio: Columbia Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 2.40:1 Edition Details: • VOB file dates: 03/21/03 Commentary by producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Ridley Scott Commentary by author Mark Bowden and screenwriter Ken Nolan Commentary by Task Force Ranger Veterans Theatrical trailer(s), TV spot(s) The Essence of Combat: Making Black Hawk Down: 1. Getting It Right 2. Crash Course 3. Battlefield Morocco 4. Hymn to the Fallen 5. Digital Warriors 6. After Action Report 8 deleted & alternate scenes with optional commentary Production design archive Storyboards with optional commentary Ridleygrams with optional commentary Jerry Bruckheimer's Black Hawk Down photo album Title design explorations with optional commentary Photo galleries The History Channel Presents: The True Story of Black Hawk Down PBS Presents: Frontline: Ambush in Mogadishu Interactive mission map/timeline Target building insertion - multi-angle sequence with optional commentary Question & Answer Forums: BAFTA (Ridley Scott, Jerry Bruckheimer, Josh Hartnett, Ewen McGregor, Jason Isaaca, Mark Bowden & Tom Matthews), Motion Pictures Editor's Guild (Pietro Scalia), American Cinematheque (Jerry Bruckheimer & Ridley Scott) "Gortoz A Ran - J'Attends" music video performed by Denez Prigent & Lisa Gerrard Theatrical poster concepts DVD Release Date: 06/10/03 Digipack Chapters 28	Release Information: Studio: Columbia Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 2.40:1 Edition Details: • VOB file dates: 07/10/03 Disc 2 1. "The Essence Of Combat : Making Black Hawk Down" 150 Min. 2. 8 Deleted&Alternate Scenes With Optional Commentary 3. "Designing Mogadishu" Featurette 4. Production Design Archive 5. Storyboards With Optional Commentary 6. Ridleygrams With Optional Commentary 7. Jerry Bruckeimer's BHD Photo Album 8. Title Design Explorations With Optional Commentary 9. Photo Galleries Disc 3 1. The History Channel Present : "The True Story Of Black Hawk Down" 2. PBS Present : "Frontine : Ambush In Mogadishu" 3. Mission Timeline 4. Target Building Insertion : Mulit-Angle Sequence With Optional Commentary 5. Question&Answer Forum : BAFTA, Motion Picture Editor's Guild&American Cinematheque 6. "Gortoz A Ran - J'Attends" Music video Performed Denez Prigent&Lisa Gerrard 7. Theatrical Poster Concept 8. Trailers&TV Spots DVD Release Date: 08/03/03 Digipack Chapters 28

Comments:

The bitrate peaks and valleys indicate that there is not a lot of difference between these DVDs. The color balance, image quality and framing are all negligibly exact. The VOB file dates for disc 2 and disc 3 are the same for the US R1 SE and the Korean SB SE 03/24/03 disc 2 03/06/03 disc 3 and the discs are region 1,3,4. The SE and the SB look to be the exact same transfer to me - probably the same DVD (both NTSC with only the Region coding being adjusted).

The Korean disc offers a superior audio option with the DTS as well as the 5.1, but the SE has a commentary with the main feature (probably the only decrease difference in bitrate along with the offered DUBs). So, if you want the commentary - get the SE Region 1- if you want DTS get the Korean - and if you only want the film, you won't be disappointed with the Region 1 Single Disc version for image.

Gary W. Tooze

DVD Menus

(Columbia (Single Disc) - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Columbia (Special Ed.) - Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Columbia (Superbit SE) - Region 3 - NTSC - RIGHT)

Screen Captures

(Columbia (Single Disc) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Columbia (Special Ed.) - Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Columbia (Superbit SE) - Region 3 - NTSC - BOTTOM)