FAQ for
Black Hawk Down (2001) More at IMDbPro »

Yes. Black Hawk Down is based on true events that occurred in Somalia in 1993.

"Operation: Restore Hope" was the focus of major U.S. military operations in Somalia to supply aid and restore order to a fragmenting country. After the U.S. withdrawal following this crisis, Somalia slipped into anarchy and militia-rule.

Somalia remains a hotbed of insurgent and extremist activity even to this day.

The film is based on the particular mission which became know as The Battle of the Black Sea, (or The Battle Of Mogadishu,) or, in Somalia, Ma-alinti Rangers (The Day of the Rangers.)

Although there was a considerable loss of life, the mission was deemed a success, as all mission objectives were acomplished.

Todd Blackburn fell from the helicopter as depicted in the film; however, many experts chalk this up to his inexperience rather than incoming RPG fire.

Blackburn suffered serious injuries, although he recovered relatively quickly. He has no recollection of the events that occurred during the course of the battle or this film.

Eversmann even says at the end of the film "I was talking to Blackburn the other day" (presumably after the battle by what he's talking about).

They were killed, their bodies dragged through the streets of Mogadishu, as was partially depicted in the film.

They both received the Medal of Honor posthumously for their heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty - the highest honor one can receive in the service of the United States of America. They were also the only snipers to recieve the medal of honor.

Because somebody had obviously lost that hand, and he kept it so that if the person who lost it was still alive, it could possibly be re-attached. Although this doesn't make much sense it's important to understand that this was during a battle, where soldiers get disturbed.

If you read the book, which is more accurate than the film, then you find out that the soldier who put the hand in his pouch doesn't know why he did it, and had no particular reason for doing it, he just did.

It's basically another extension of the camaraderie of the men how they are looking out for each other even when it makes no sense, as well as reinforcing the gruesome chaos and carnage of the scenario. Or he just liked the guys watch.

Sadly, he dies of his wounds. He is not seen dying in the film. In the hospital when Captain Steele goes to visit him; Steele looks to the doctor, who shakes his head (suggesting that Ruiz won't make it.) He is listed as one of the 19 soldiers who were killed during the mission in the end credits.

After the first home video releases Sony published an Extended version on DVD and logically one has to decide between both versions. Thankfully, there's a comparison out there that may help you, because the Extended version features several scenes that can be found as Deleted Scenes on the first DVD release and it's somehow questionable whether these extensions are useful or not. There are also some more action sequences. A detailed comparison between both versions with pictures can be found here.