Year: 2016
Director: Mel Gibson
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Vince Vaughn, Hugo Weaving, and Teresa Palmer
Tagline: When the order came to retreat, one man stayed.
Synopsis: During WWII, Desmond T. Doss was a conscientious objector who earned the Medal of Honor. He never fired a single bullet.
Tagline: When the order came to retreat, one man stayed.
Synopsis: During WWII, Desmond T. Doss was a conscientious objector who earned the Medal of Honor. He never fired a single bullet.
Review
Hacksaw Ridge is rated R. It is violent. Brutally, viscerally, "war is hell" violent. It is also one of the most powerful and inspiring films I've seen. I'm glad I saw it. If you choose not to see it, I completely respect that. But I hope you'll continue reading to learn more about why the story -- which is a true story -- is so important. If you do choose to see it, do so first and then come back here (i.e., this whole "review" will be a spoiler).
The film begins by quoting Isaiah 40:28-31 (one of my favorites). It is a fitting passage for the film and for the film's hero. Private Desmond T. Doss was a Seventh Day Adventist from Lynchburg, Virginia. Like many young men his age, he enlisted in the Army in 1942. Unlike those other young men, Doss refused to bear arms. Because of his religious beliefs and an incident in his youth, Doss adamantly refused to so much as touch a gun. He just as adamantly wanted to serve his country: as a medic. He wanted to save lives, not take them. As such, he referred to himself not as a conscientious objector, but as a conscientious cooperator.
Whatever his faults may be, Mel Gibson knows how to tell a gripping story. And it is clear how much respect and admiration he has for Doss. Gibson is himself a man of religious conviction and he does not shy away from that aspect. To do so would have been a discredit to Doss. [A few years ago I reviewed the film Unbroken. One of my biggest qualms with that film is that the director clearly did not understand Zamperini's religious convictions and thus shied away from religion in the film, much to the story's disservice.]
Hacksaw Ridge embraces Doss's religious convictions. Those convictions are not belittled; they are held up in admiration. They are not some superficial quirk; they are the core of this man. Such portrayal of religious belief is getting more and more unheard of in Hollywood. (And to be honest, this movie is more Australian made than American made.) That makes this story all the more powerful and applicable.
The film may embrace Doss's convictions, but his fellow soldiers, training sergeant, and commanding officers certainly did not. Doss is belittled, berated, beaten, denied furloughs, and threatened with being court-martialed. Through it all, he remains true to his convictions. He reads from his Bible. He prays before bed. He honors the Sabbath. He will not hold, let a lone fire, a gun. He will not seek discharge as "mentally unstable." He will not retaliate against those abusing him. And he will not back down from his desire to serve his country and fellow soldiers as a medic. And so, without a single weapon with which to defend himself, Doss ships out to the Pacific theater of WWII.
If Doss's story ended here, it would be an inspiring story of faith and conviction. As I've reflected on it, a quote shared by President Thomas S. Monson came to mind: "Dare to be a [Christian]; dare to stand alone. Dare to have a purpose firm; dare to make it known" ("Dare to Stand Alone," Ensign, November 2011). Desmond T. Doss was the embodiment of that quote.
But Doss's story didn't end with him staying true and getting through Army training. His story goes from something inspiring to something amazing, even miraculous. Because when a man has that much faith, courage, and unflinching loyalty to God, how could the powers of Heaven be restrained?
When I got home from seeing Hacksaw Ridge, one of the first things I did was research. I wanted to know how close to the facts the film had stayed. The answer is: remarkably close. Sure, they took some dramatic license here and there. But overall, what happens in the film is true to what happened in real life. In fact, the film actually omits some of Doss's heroics because apparently Gibson felt audiences simply wouldn't believe them. (If you want to know more, check out historyvshollywood.com.)
Back to the story.
Doss and his infantry division are sent to Okinawa. The titular "Hacksaw Ridge" is the nickname given to the Maeda Escarpment, a 400-foot cliff face that the soldiers have to scale. At the top is a battleground strewn with foxholes, caves, underground tunnels, and pretty much every danger known to war at that time. Things do not go well for the Americans and the Japanese attack and push them backward, inflicting heavy casualties. The American forces retreat back down the ridge. The only ones left at the top are the dead, the wounded, the Japanese, and medic Desmond T. Doss. (By the way, the Japanese actually targeted medics as a way to demoralize the Americans.)
For hours on end, Doss, alone, braves enemy fire to find, treat, and retrieve his wounded comrades. He carries or drags them back to the cliff's edge where he then lowers them, one by one, on a rope to friendly (and stunned) hands below. Then Doss goes off in search of another. His words (his actual words) are: "Please Lord, help me get one more." That Doss isn't killed is a miracle in and of itself. He still refuses to take up a gun to defend himself. Again and again he finds his comrades and lowers them to safety. Again he goes out searching for more wounded. He stays at it for about 12 hours, until the danger becomes too great and he has to descend himself.
When asked, Doss estimated he rescued about 50 men that night. His commanding officers estimated the number closer to 100. They compromised at 75 for his Medal of Honor citation.
That still isn't the end of Doss's story. Days later, the final assault to take Hacksaw Ridge takes place and Doss is again in the thick of things as a medic. During the battle, a hand grenade explodes near Doss, leaving him seriously injured in the legs. In the film, Doss's fellow soldiers put him on a litter and with their gratitude and encouragement send him off to be treated. In reality, Doss treated his own injuries and waited hours for men with a stretcher to be able to help transport him. When he saw another soldier get injured, he had the men lower him. Doss then proceeded to roll off the stretcher and treat the wounded soldier who was then sent off on the stretcher. While awaiting the return of help, Doss was struck in the arm by a sniper's bullet. It was only then that Doss finally touched a gun ... he took a rifle stock and splinted his own broken arm before crawling 300 yards to the aid station.
Again, that Doss survived is a miracle; and he knew it. According to one website, a Japanese soldier reported having Doss in his sights, only to have his gun jam. For days, rifle fire and explosions were all around Doss. Yet he survived, though seriously wounded in the end.
Even as I was watching Hacksaw Ridge I was reminded of the people of Ammon in the Book of Mormon. On one hand, Doss was reminiscent of the stripling warriors, whose minds were firm, having been taught by their mothers (Doss's mother was a religious woman). None of them were killed, though all of them were wounded. But Doss also reminded me of the fathers of those stripling warriors. Like them, Doss had made a personal commitment to God that he would never take a life. Because of the people of Ammon's commitment, the Nephites stepped up to protect and preserve them. Likewise, Doss owed his life firstly to God, but also to his fellow soldiers who defended him from enemy attack.
In addition to saving dozens of lives, Doss's unwavering faith and convictions undoubtedly softened a few hearts along the way. This is evidenced by two acts: both on the final day of battle. The first was a delay to the attack. It was a Saturday, which for Doss (a Seventh Day Adventist) was the Sabbath. His commanding officers allowed the attack to be delayed so Doss could finish his daily devotions. The second act came after he was injured and finally made it to medical care. Doss realized he had lost his Bible on the battlefield -- the Bible his wife had given him before he shipped out, the Bible that had sustained him all those horrific days and nights. He sent word back to his company. Those men, some of whom had undoubtedly belittled and berated Doss previously, put themselves in harm's way to find the lost Bible. They found it (tender mercy) and sent it off to their friend and comrade.
It is customary for films based on true stories to tell the rest of the story prior to the credits. Hacksaw Ridge does that and then does one better. It includes a few clips from interviews with both Doss's commanding officer and with Doss himself. The interviews are from a decade or so ago. Though brief, the clips are poignant reminders that the film just seen was about real men in real situations. Desmond T. Doss died at his home in 2006. He was 87 years old.
As a film, Hacksaw Ridge is simply a well made movie. It is compelling and honest, gripping and tense. The cinematography is well done. The music is fitting and beautiful. Andrew Garfield does a terrific job as Doss, portraying him as a very real, very human man. Also outstanding is Hugo Weaving, who portrays Doss' father, who is a WWI veteran struggling with PTSD, alcoholism, and violent survivor's guilt. Weaving does a remarkable job portraying a man you don't particularly like, but nonetheless sympathize with.
I do wish the film were less violent and grisly, then it would be able to reach a wider audience. I suppose there is a chance of a re-edited version, or there is always Vid-Angel. In addition to the violence, there is some language (mostly out of the sergeant's mouth). There is also a brief shot of a man's bare backside. The only sexiness is one scene and what you see in the trailer is all there is (and for the record they are married at that point).
Whether or not you see Hacksaw Ridge is completely up to you. But I hope you now have a better appreciation for Desmond T. Doss, an American hero. He has become one of my heroes.
 |
| Pfc. Desmond T. Doss |
Whatever his faults may be, Mel Gibson knows how to tell a gripping story. And it is clear how much respect and admiration he has for Doss. Gibson is himself a man of religious conviction and he does not shy away from that aspect. To do so would have been a discredit to Doss. [A few years ago I reviewed the film Unbroken. One of my biggest qualms with that film is that the director clearly did not understand Zamperini's religious convictions and thus shied away from religion in the film, much to the story's disservice.]
Hacksaw Ridge embraces Doss's religious convictions. Those convictions are not belittled; they are held up in admiration. They are not some superficial quirk; they are the core of this man. Such portrayal of religious belief is getting more and more unheard of in Hollywood. (And to be honest, this movie is more Australian made than American made.) That makes this story all the more powerful and applicable.
The film may embrace Doss's convictions, but his fellow soldiers, training sergeant, and commanding officers certainly did not. Doss is belittled, berated, beaten, denied furloughs, and threatened with being court-martialed. Through it all, he remains true to his convictions. He reads from his Bible. He prays before bed. He honors the Sabbath. He will not hold, let a lone fire, a gun. He will not seek discharge as "mentally unstable." He will not retaliate against those abusing him. And he will not back down from his desire to serve his country and fellow soldiers as a medic. And so, without a single weapon with which to defend himself, Doss ships out to the Pacific theater of WWII.
If Doss's story ended here, it would be an inspiring story of faith and conviction. As I've reflected on it, a quote shared by President Thomas S. Monson came to mind: "Dare to be a [Christian]; dare to stand alone. Dare to have a purpose firm; dare to make it known" ("Dare to Stand Alone," Ensign, November 2011). Desmond T. Doss was the embodiment of that quote.
But Doss's story didn't end with him staying true and getting through Army training. His story goes from something inspiring to something amazing, even miraculous. Because when a man has that much faith, courage, and unflinching loyalty to God, how could the powers of Heaven be restrained?
When I got home from seeing Hacksaw Ridge, one of the first things I did was research. I wanted to know how close to the facts the film had stayed. The answer is: remarkably close. Sure, they took some dramatic license here and there. But overall, what happens in the film is true to what happened in real life. In fact, the film actually omits some of Doss's heroics because apparently Gibson felt audiences simply wouldn't believe them. (If you want to know more, check out historyvshollywood.com.)
Back to the story.
Doss and his infantry division are sent to Okinawa. The titular "Hacksaw Ridge" is the nickname given to the Maeda Escarpment, a 400-foot cliff face that the soldiers have to scale. At the top is a battleground strewn with foxholes, caves, underground tunnels, and pretty much every danger known to war at that time. Things do not go well for the Americans and the Japanese attack and push them backward, inflicting heavy casualties. The American forces retreat back down the ridge. The only ones left at the top are the dead, the wounded, the Japanese, and medic Desmond T. Doss. (By the way, the Japanese actually targeted medics as a way to demoralize the Americans.)
For hours on end, Doss, alone, braves enemy fire to find, treat, and retrieve his wounded comrades. He carries or drags them back to the cliff's edge where he then lowers them, one by one, on a rope to friendly (and stunned) hands below. Then Doss goes off in search of another. His words (his actual words) are: "Please Lord, help me get one more." That Doss isn't killed is a miracle in and of itself. He still refuses to take up a gun to defend himself. Again and again he finds his comrades and lowers them to safety. Again he goes out searching for more wounded. He stays at it for about 12 hours, until the danger becomes too great and he has to descend himself.
When asked, Doss estimated he rescued about 50 men that night. His commanding officers estimated the number closer to 100. They compromised at 75 for his Medal of Honor citation.
That still isn't the end of Doss's story. Days later, the final assault to take Hacksaw Ridge takes place and Doss is again in the thick of things as a medic. During the battle, a hand grenade explodes near Doss, leaving him seriously injured in the legs. In the film, Doss's fellow soldiers put him on a litter and with their gratitude and encouragement send him off to be treated. In reality, Doss treated his own injuries and waited hours for men with a stretcher to be able to help transport him. When he saw another soldier get injured, he had the men lower him. Doss then proceeded to roll off the stretcher and treat the wounded soldier who was then sent off on the stretcher. While awaiting the return of help, Doss was struck in the arm by a sniper's bullet. It was only then that Doss finally touched a gun ... he took a rifle stock and splinted his own broken arm before crawling 300 yards to the aid station.
Again, that Doss survived is a miracle; and he knew it. According to one website, a Japanese soldier reported having Doss in his sights, only to have his gun jam. For days, rifle fire and explosions were all around Doss. Yet he survived, though seriously wounded in the end.
Even as I was watching Hacksaw Ridge I was reminded of the people of Ammon in the Book of Mormon. On one hand, Doss was reminiscent of the stripling warriors, whose minds were firm, having been taught by their mothers (Doss's mother was a religious woman). None of them were killed, though all of them were wounded. But Doss also reminded me of the fathers of those stripling warriors. Like them, Doss had made a personal commitment to God that he would never take a life. Because of the people of Ammon's commitment, the Nephites stepped up to protect and preserve them. Likewise, Doss owed his life firstly to God, but also to his fellow soldiers who defended him from enemy attack.
In addition to saving dozens of lives, Doss's unwavering faith and convictions undoubtedly softened a few hearts along the way. This is evidenced by two acts: both on the final day of battle. The first was a delay to the attack. It was a Saturday, which for Doss (a Seventh Day Adventist) was the Sabbath. His commanding officers allowed the attack to be delayed so Doss could finish his daily devotions. The second act came after he was injured and finally made it to medical care. Doss realized he had lost his Bible on the battlefield -- the Bible his wife had given him before he shipped out, the Bible that had sustained him all those horrific days and nights. He sent word back to his company. Those men, some of whom had undoubtedly belittled and berated Doss previously, put themselves in harm's way to find the lost Bible. They found it (tender mercy) and sent it off to their friend and comrade.
It is customary for films based on true stories to tell the rest of the story prior to the credits. Hacksaw Ridge does that and then does one better. It includes a few clips from interviews with both Doss's commanding officer and with Doss himself. The interviews are from a decade or so ago. Though brief, the clips are poignant reminders that the film just seen was about real men in real situations. Desmond T. Doss died at his home in 2006. He was 87 years old.
As a film, Hacksaw Ridge is simply a well made movie. It is compelling and honest, gripping and tense. The cinematography is well done. The music is fitting and beautiful. Andrew Garfield does a terrific job as Doss, portraying him as a very real, very human man. Also outstanding is Hugo Weaving, who portrays Doss' father, who is a WWI veteran struggling with PTSD, alcoholism, and violent survivor's guilt. Weaving does a remarkable job portraying a man you don't particularly like, but nonetheless sympathize with.
I do wish the film were less violent and grisly, then it would be able to reach a wider audience. I suppose there is a chance of a re-edited version, or there is always Vid-Angel. In addition to the violence, there is some language (mostly out of the sergeant's mouth). There is also a brief shot of a man's bare backside. The only sexiness is one scene and what you see in the trailer is all there is (and for the record they are married at that point).
Whether or not you see Hacksaw Ridge is completely up to you. But I hope you now have a better appreciation for Desmond T. Doss, an American hero. He has become one of my heroes.
Quotable Quotes
- "I don't know how I'm going to live with myself if I don't stand up for what I believe." -- Desmond Doss
- "I'd like to think I'm a conscientious cooperator." -- Desmond Doss
- "Please, Lord, help me get one more." -- Desmond Doss
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