Ridley Scott’s tense war thriller movie is on TV tonight

It's been called the 'third best war movie of all time'.

Directed by Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, Gladiator, The Last Duel), the story is based on a 1999 non-fiction book by journalist Mark Bowden. This was about the crew of a Black Hawk helicopter, which was shot down during the Battle of Mogadishu.

"In 1993, the U.S. sends special forces into Somalia to destabilise the government and bring food and humanitarian aid to the starving population," the plot synopsis says.

"Using Black Hawk helicopters to lower the soldiers onto the ground, an unexpected attack by Somalian forces brings two of the helicopters down immediately.

"From there, the U.S. soldiers must struggle to regain their balance while enduring heavy gunfire."

You can watch the trailer for Black Hawk Down right here:

The authentic performances, combined with Scott's gritty, immersive action sequences, are extremely effective at capturing the chaos of war.

This is so much so that the movie was recently voted the third-best war film of all time on the website Ranker. Only Full Metal Jacket (at No. 2) and Saving Private Ryan (at No. 1) polled higher.

Black Hawk Down is airing on TV tonight on TG4 at 10pm. It is also available to rent on Apple TV, Google Play, Prime Video, Rakuten TV, and the Sky Store.

Here are the other movies on TV tonight:

Beverly Hills Cop II - Sky One - 9pm

Ridley Scott's brother Tony directed this stylish action comedy sequel.

Inglourious Basterds - Film4 - 9pm

Quentin Tarantino's WWII-set epic.

Dude, Where's My Car - Comedy Central - 9pm

The cult sci-fi comedy with Ashton Kutcher and Seann William Scott.

The Shanghai Job - Legend - 9pm

Orlando Bloom (again) stars in this British-Chinese action thriller.

Nick of Time - Legend Xtra - 9pm

A tense real-time thriller starring Johnny Depp as a mild-mannered father whose daughter is abducted by mysterious kidnappers (led by Christopher Walken).

The kidnappers order the dad to kill the state governor within 75 minutes, threatening to murder his child if he does not comply.

Military Wives - Channel 4 - 9.35pm

Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan star in this British comedy drama about women from different backgrounds who come together to form the very first military wives choir.

Death on the Nile - RTÉ One - 9.45pm

A star-studded Agatha Christie mystery adaptation from 1978.

The Death of Stalin - Sky Comedy - 10.15pm

Jason Isaacs (again) and Steve Buscemi are among the cast of this dark but hilarious comedy that depicts the power struggle among the members of the Soviet Politburo after the death of leader Joseph Stalin in 1953.

Strangers with Candy - Comedy Central - 10.40pm

The big screen spin-off of the cult sitcom starring Amy Sedaris and Stephen Colbert.

Q&A - Legend Xtra - 10.50pm

Nick Nolte is a deeply corrupt cop in this excellent 1990 crime thriller from director Sidney Lumet (Dog Day Afternoon, Network).

Sophie's Choice - Virgin Media Three - 11pm

Meryl Streep won her second of three Oscars for this '80s psychological drama.

Kiss of the Dragon - Legend - 11pm

Bridget Fonda and Jet Li headline this 2001 action flick about a Chinese police officer sent to Paris to assist with an arrest, who winds up framed for murder.

The Mechanic - Channel 4 - 11.45pm

A hitman (Jason Statham) takes on a protege (Ben Foster) in this fun action thriller.

A Girl from Mogadishu - RTÉ One - 12am

The biographical drama about Somali-Irish social activist Ifrah Ahmed (Aja Naomi King).