Hacksaw Ridge
"Hacksaw Ridge" is a 2016 biographical war drama film directed by Mel Gibson and starring Andrew Garfield, Teresa Palmer, and Vince Vaughn. The film tells the story of Desmond T. Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist who became a hero during World War II without ever carrying a weapon. Doss was a conscientious objector who refused to bear arms but served as a medic and saved countless lives during the Battle of Okinawa. The film was critically acclaimed and received numerous accolades, including six Academy Award nominations and two wins.
The film opens in rural Virginia during the 1920s, where we see a young Desmond Doss (played by Darcy Bryce) and his older brother Hal (Roman Guerriero) engaging in a brutal fight, which ends with Hal being hit in the head with a brick and nearly dying. This incident, coupled with the deep religious convictions of his Seventh-day Adventist mother (Rachel Griffiths), instilled in Doss a strong belief in non-violence and a refusal to take another human life.
Fast forward to 1942, and we see an adult Desmond (now played by Andrew Garfield) working in a shipyard while the war rages on overseas. After witnessing the brutalities of war firsthand, Desmond feels compelled to enlist in the army as a conscientious objector. Despite facing ridicule and opposition from his fellow soldiers and superiors, including Sergeant Howell (Vince Vaughn) and Captain Glover (Sam Worthington), Desmond refuses to back down from his beliefs and is eventually allowed to serve as a medic.
The film's second act takes place during the Battle of Okinawa, where we see the horrors of war up close and personal. The battle scenes are intense, bloody, and at times hard to watch, but they are also beautifully shot and edited. Gibson does an excellent job of immersing the audience in the chaos and confusion of battle, and the sound design is top-notch. The film also features some excellent performances, especially from Andrew Garfield, who embodies Doss' quiet strength and unwavering determination.
The film's third act is where Doss truly becomes a hero. After the rest of his unit is forced to retreat from the battlefield, Doss stays behind and single-handedly saves the lives of 75 wounded soldiers, all while dodging enemy fire and using his medical skills to treat their injuries. It's a truly inspiring and heroic moment, and Gibson does a fantastic job of conveying the weight of Doss' actions without resorting to heavy-handed sentimentality.
Overall, "Hacksaw Ridge" is a powerful and moving film that tells the incredible true story of a remarkable man. It's a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of faith, and it's a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll. The film's message of non-violence and the sanctity of human life is more relevant than ever, and the film serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who fought for our freedom.
The total score is
according to Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator website, "Hacksaw Ridge" has a 86% approval rating from critics and a 94% approval rating from audiences. Metacritic, another review aggregator, gives the film a score of 71 out of 100, based on 47 reviews from critics. These scores indicate that the film was well-received by both critics and audiences. Ultimately, the evaluation of the film is subjective, and the opinion and enjoyment of the movie may vary from person to person.
A movie with a similar atmosphere
If you enjoyed "Hacksaw Ridge," you might like to watch "Saving Private Ryan" (1998), directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, and Tom Sizemore. "Saving Private Ryan" is a World War II film that tells the story of a group of soldiers sent on a mission to find and bring back a paratrooper whose three brothers were killed in action. The film has a similar focus on the horrors and realities of war, as well as the bonds that are formed between soldiers. Like "Hacksaw Ridge," "Saving Private Ryan" also features intense battle scenes and powerful performances, and it has been widely acclaimed as one of the greatest war films ever made.
