This edition of great movie characters takes us to the East African hotbed of violence known as Somalia. Black Hawk Down, directed by Ridley Scott, earned well-deserved praise for its accurate depiction of 1993’s disastrous Army Ranger mission into the hostile city of Mogadishu. Several real-life soldiers are portrayed by a talented cast that includes Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, William Fichtner and Sam Shepard. However, one soldier stands out from the group – Hoot – a bad-ass special forces op played by Eric Bana.

Hoot is a seasoned vet with a calculated gaze and a smooth southern twang. A born soldier dedicated to his duty, Hoot doesn’t let emotion cloud his judgment. Bana brings a calm understanding to a character who kills for a living. Hoot operates without hesitation and without fear – traits that define a true warrior.

In the following scene, Hoot tells a beleaguered Sgt. Eversmann (Hartnett) why he’s willing to put himself in the line of fire. “It’s about the men next to you,” he says. Profound words from a man simply known as Hoot.

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