Hacksaw Ridge Movie Review
The 2016 movie Hacksaw Ridge is the true story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who refused to carry a weapon in WWII. It features Andrew Garfield in a powerful performance. The film reveals the plight of an heroic hero and explores themes of courage, patriotism, and unwavering religious faith. Despite a few cliched battle scenes, it delivers a bloody and bruising spectacle.
The Story
A powerful and gripping war film that tells the incredible true story of Desmond Doss, a pacifist who enlisted to serve as a medic during World War II but refused to carry a weapon because of his religious beliefs. This was not only a brave decision but also saved the lives of 75 of his fellow soldiers, earning him the Medal of Honor. The movie is a bit heavy on the violence and the subject matter but it is still an amazing story of sacrifice, bravery, and faith.
Gibson has long been in the business of making blood-soaked war movies, and Hacksaw Ridge is no exception. But there is a sense that the director is trying to have his cake and eat it too here, immersing himself in the violent madness of war while maintaining a programmatic focus on the heroism of a man who refused to participate in it.
It’s a noble effort, and Garfield is compelling as Desmond, but the film feels disingenuous in its depiction of Doss as a moral saint, given that his refusal to touch a weapon got him ridiculed by his unit sergeant (Vince Vaughn), court-martialed, and sent home on leave for being “a special snowflake.” That characterization plays into an unfortunate strain of American exceptionalism that’s present throughout Hacksaw Ridge.
The Cast
Featuring one of the most incredible performances from Andrew Garfield ever, Hacksaw Ridge tells the true story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector during World War II. Although he was drafted into service and refused to carry a weapon, he still performed a heroic act in the Battle of Okinawa and became the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor. The film is written and directed by Mel Gibson, who proves that his lack of directorial subtlety is offset by his skill with action and the power of storytelling.
Garfield gives a tour de force performance as Doss, a feisty mountain-man from Virginia’s Blue Ridge who swears never to pick up a gun again after he nearly killed his father with one. Despite this, he enlists in the army as a medic and soon finds himself on the front lines of the bloody Battle of Okinawa.
Although he was mocked and scorned by his fellow soldiers, Doss proved to be an invaluable asset during the fight. He single-handedly saved the lives of 75 soldiers during the first assault on the rocky slope from which the movie takes its title. Director Mel Gibson and cinematographer Simon Duggan don’t flinch from the brutal reality of ground warfare, making Hacksaw Ridge one of the most effective battlefield movies since Saving Private Ryan.
The Direction
Some movies that are based on real events must be embellished in order to work on the big screen. However, Hacksaw Ridge is not one of them. Mel Gibson, who has a lack of directorial subtlety but also knows how to handle action, has crafted a powerful film about the story of Desmond Doss and his unwavering religious devotion.
The film isn’t just about faith, but rather about the importance of honor and bravery in life. The film is a powerful reminder that not everyone has to carry a gun and fight for their country, but that those who do are able to show extraordinary courage in the face of death. The movie’s most effective moments come when Doss is on the front lines, rescuing wounded soldiers while being under fire from enemy troops.
In a battle scene, the film’s characters deliver their best Braveheart-esque war cries and pump their arms victoriously to the rhythm of orchestral strings. Unlike most of the other films that portray similar scenes, however, this one features a hero who isn’t merely a man tossed around in the fray but someone whose unwavering beliefs allow them to show incredible bravery while fighting for their country.
Though the thriller movies do rely on some melodrama and clichés, its use of its setting, the strong performances of its actors and its careful handling of its themes make it a satisfying and powerful movie that isn’t afraid to challenge the viewer.
The Final Words
As much as many may still find him repellent, Gibson has proven himself as a capable and surprisingly sensitive filmmaker here. Despite the cliched war film tropes, the movie delivers an affecting and rousing drama that honors heroism without violence. This is especially true in its treatment of war violence: unlike his previous movies, which tended to revel in bloodshed and gore, Hacksaw Ridge treats it with disgust and horror, reducing its effect on the audience.
Andrew Garfield’s portrayal of pacifist Desmond Doss is also noteworthy. While some soldiers in his unit initially resent him for his refusal to carry a gun, they later come to respect and even revere him. This contrast makes his ultimate sacrifice all the more heroic.
The film’s most impressive moments are its depictions of the horrors of war. The battle scenes are intense and vivid, reenacting gruesome scenes of American soldiers fighting the Japanese with shocking precision. Close-up shots of legs that have been blown off, screaming soldiers, and bullet wounds all add up to a cinematic experience that’s not for the faint of heart.
Ultimately, though, it’s difficult to escape the sense that Hacksaw Ridge is a movie that wants to be both an anti-war film and a celebration of one particular conscientious objector. Despite an excellent performance from Garfield, the movie doesn’t quite achieve the balance it strives for between its admonishments of war and its ennobling of its subject.