Film of failed Somalia mission premieres in UK
The film portrayal of the events surrounding the failed US mission in Somalia in 1993 gets its UK premiere tonight.
Black Hawk Down is directed by British-born Ridley Scott.
It tells the story of the disastrous battle of Mogadishu when an elite group of US soldiers entered the Somali capital in pursuit of hostile warlords.
The mission went wrong when two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down, resulting in one of the largest US military rescue missions of recent times.
Eighteen US soldiers were killed and a further 73 wounded in the failed mission.
Scott describes Black Hawk Down as an "anti-war" movie and not one that should be construed as a "recruiting film".
British cast members include Ewan McGregor and Ioan Gruffudd, who are both expected to attend the gala screening at the Empire Cinema in London's Leicester Square.
The cast also includes Pearl Harbor stars Josh Hartnett and Tom Sizemore.
The film is tipped to pick up a clutch of Oscar nominations when they are announced next month.
