Save the Cat rankings

BLACK HAWK DOWN script analysis

BLACK HAWK DOWN script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

U.S. Rangers and Delta operatives deploy into Mogadishu to capture warlord lieutenants. The mission quickly spirals out of control when two Black Hawks are shot down, leaving teams stranded and forcing a desperate rescue. Through loss and sacrifice, the survivors rally to extract their comrades.

60 Save the Cat fit score 30% analysis confidence / 133 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

30%

Establishes Somalian chaos and stakes with a body being covered in a famine/war zone.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 66 / 5% target

40%

Garrison’s line “no one gets left behind” states the mission’s moral imperative.

Good luck boys... be careful... no one gets left behind.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 2-8 / 10% target

25%

Introduces the environment, key players and intelligence chain before the raid.

4

Catalyst

Scene 29 / 12% target

35%

Garrison briefs the team on the high-risk mission to capture Atto’s lieutenants.

And I say may, because we all know by now, with the intel we get on the street,...
5

Debate

Scene 30 / 20% target

35%

McKnight voices concerns about daylight operations and lack of air support.

No Spectre gunships, daylight instead of night, late afternoon when they're all fucked up on khat, only part...
6

Break into Two

Scene 36 / 25% target

30%

The convoy and helicopters move into Mogadishu, marking the start of Act II.

7

B Story

Scene 19 / 30% target

25%

Hoot and Gordon’s banter provides a human counterpoint and subplot camaraderie.

Nice man, very smooth!
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 76-79 / 40% target

30%

Rangers and Delta fast-rope into the city, secure targets and experience initial success.

9

Midpoint

Scene 82 / 50% target

40%

Blackburn is shot and falls from the Black Hawk, shifting the mission’s stakes to rescue.

Colonel, they're shooting at us!
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 105 / 65% target

35%

A Black Hawk is hit by RPGs, heightening enemy pressure and danger.

All right, we got a hit! Stay with it!
11

All Is Lost

Scenes 107-108 / 75% target

40%

Wolcott’s Black Hawk goes down, seeming to doom the rescue effort.

Six one going down...
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 131 / 80% target

45%

Smith dies despite efforts, leaving the team in despair.

Cause Sergeant, you can't control who gets hit, or who doesn't. Who falls out of a chopper, or...
13

Break into Three

Scene 122 / 85% target

35%

Garrison orders Struecker’s convoy back into the city to recover the downed crews.

Get Struecker's column back up there. They need to get to Durant's crash site, fast.
14

Finale

Scenes 126-133 / 95% target

30%

The rescue convoy fights through Mogadishu to reach the stadium and evacuate survivors.

15

Final Image

Scene 133 / 99% target

40%

Garrison in the medical ward, still committed to the mission: “Are we going after them?”

Are we going after them?