“Hacksaw Ridge 2016” is a war film that follows the story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who becomes a hero. He’s like a fish out of water in the army, but he refuses to fire a single bullet and instead saves lives with his medical skills. The climactic battle scene is like a storm of violence and death, but Doss braves it all and emerges an angel of mercy. The film illustrates that even amidst chaos and destruction, there is hope for humanity.
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Review
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the masterful Colombian novelist and storyteller, would have been proud of “Hacksaw Ridge,” the brutal and moving war epic directed by Mel Gibson. The film tells the true story of Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield), a devout Seventh-day Adventist who refused to carry or use weapons during his stint in World War II and instead saved over 75 lives as a medic, risking his own life on numerous occasions.
The film begins with Doss’s upbringing in rural Virginia, where he was taught from an early age to never take up arms or take another person’s life, in honor of his father’s own experiences in World War I. Through a series of well-crafted flashbacks, we come to understand how this deeply held belief led Doss to enlist in the army as a conscientious objector after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
As Doss is shipped off to boot camp, he is met with disdain and outright hostility from his fellow soldiers and commanding officers who mock him for his refusal to carry a gun. But it is here that we see Doss’ unyielding resolve and courage as he pushes through grueling training exercises and ultimately earns their respect.
The film’s plot really takes off during the battle for Hacksaw Ridge on Okinawa Island, where Gibson’s unflinching direction pulls no punches in depicting the horrific violence and carnage of war. The scenes are so intense that viewers can often be seen covering their eyes or gasping audibly.
Garfield delivers a riveting performance as Desmond Doss, bringing depth and humanity to a character that could easily have been written off as one-dimensional or overly preachy. His portrayal is matched by strong supporting performances from Teresa Palmer as his love interest Dorothy Schutte, Hugo Weaving as his tormented father Tom Doss, and Vince Vaughn as Sergeant Howell.
But what sets “Hacksaw Ridge” apart from other war films is its insistence on exploring the psychological toll that war takes on soldiers, both on the battlefield and off. This is most evident in the film’s depiction of PTSD, which was not yet recognized as a medical condition during World War II. Doss’ own struggles with this affliction after he returns home are handled with sensitivity and nuance.
Despite being an unflinchingly violent film, “Hacksaw Ridge” also contains moments of grace and beauty. An early scene where Doss saves a wounded soldier from a hail of bullets while lowering him down a sheer cliff face using only a rope is both heart-stopping and awe-inspiring.
The film’s score by Rupert Gregson-Williams perfectly complements Gibson’s visual storytelling, swelling to great crescendos during the film’s most intense battle sequences while remaining poignant during quieter emotional moments.
“Hacksaw Ridge” was met with widespread critical acclaim upon its release, earning six nominations at the 89th Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Gibson. While some critics have taken issue with the film’s focus on Doss’ religious faith or its portrayal of Japanese soldiers as one-dimensional villains, it’s hard to deny the sheer power and impact of Gibson’s vision.
In conclusion, “Hacksaw Ridge” is nothing short of a masterpiece in the war genre. It’s an unrelenting portrayal of one man’s heroism in the face of unspeakable brutality that never loses sight of its humanity or moral purpose. Gabriel Garcia Marquez would have been proud to see such a raw and honest portrayal of human nature in all its complexity.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 139
- Release : 2016-10-07
- Genre : Drama, History, War
- Cast : Andrew Garfield as Desmond T. Doss, Sam Worthington as Captain Glover, Vince Vaughn as Sergeant Howell, Teresa Palmer as Dorothy Schuttle, Luke Bracey as Smitty Ryker
- Crew : Lawrence Bender as Executive Producer, John Gilbert as Editor, Mark Robins as Supervising Art Director, James Horner as Thanks, Mel Gibson as Director
- Popularity 151.163
- Budget : $40,000,000
- Revenue : $175,302,354
- Company : Vendian Entertainment, Summit Entertainment, Cross Creek Pictures
- Summary : WWII American Army Medic Desmond T. Doss, who served during the Battle of Okinawa, refuses to kill people and becomes the first Conscientious Objector in American history to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.
- Tagline : One of the greatest heroes in American history never fired a bullet.
