Hacksaw Ridge: Movie Review

Mel Gibson is back behind the camera with the World War II action-drama, “Hacksaw Ridge”.  Much like his previous effort (“Braveheart”), Gibson knows how to deliver an epic war story that not only makes you feel for the characters on screen but also manages to entertain.  He does not skimp on intense graphic violence either. “Hacksaw Ridge” is both beautiful and brutal.

Based on the true story of Desmond Doss (portrayed by Andrew Garfield), a young man who enlisted in the army as a conscientious objector. His girlfriend, Dorothy (Teresa Palmer) inspired his dream of becoming a medic and his desire is to serve his country by saving the lives of his fellow, soldiers. Desmond’s brother has already gone off to war and his father (Hugo Weaving) is not the least bit pleased that he may lose both sons.

Desmond’s choice to not handle a weapon does not sit well with Captain Glover (Sam Worthington) or Sergeant Howell (Vince Vaughn) and they want him to quit, going so far as having Desmond’s own platoon beat him up.  None of this Breaks the soldier who refuses to take a life.

Eventually Desmond does make it to Okinawa and there is where we find out just how far he can make it without possessing any weapons. If you know the true story of Desmond Doss, then you know just how many lives he saved as an army medic. In just one night, he single-handedly rescued 75 wounded soldiers. Not only did he carry them on his back or drag them across a smoke-covered mountain ridge, but he also lowered them one-by-one using a single rope.  All up this while evading the enemy.

“Hacksaw Ridge” is a fantastic film that includes an impressive supporting cast.  It is not often that we get to see a ultra-violent story about war, centered on a character that choses to save lives instead of take them.

By: Marc Ferman