HACKSAW RIDGE (2016)

Directed By: Mel Gibson 
Written By: Robert Schenkkan & Andrew Knight 
Cinematography By: Simon Duggan 
Editor: John Gilbert

Cast: Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Vince Vaughn, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Teresa Palmer, Luke Bracey 

The true story of Desmond T. Ross, the conscientious objector who, at the Battle of Okinawa, won the Medal of Honor for his incredible bravery and regard for his fellow soldiers. We see his upbringing and how this shaped his views, especially his religious view and anti-killing stance. We see Doss's trials and tribulations after enlisting in the US Army and trying to become a medic. Finally, we see the hell on Earth that was Hacksaw Ridge

Director Mel Gibson takes joy in the action and shocking beauty of violence even while showing the carnage that is when the film feels more alive, He also likes showing heroism this is like a superhero film only with a regular guy who has deep religious faith.

It is hard to challenge or review a film based on a true story. This one is a crowd pleaser and shows true heroism without resorting to violence and still being able to fight and help.

The early scenes from the past show nothing vital but the drama of his father as an alcoholic veteran feels like scenes form Pearl Harbor but illustrates the survivors of the war's past guilt and to being able to cope with the nightmares of what they had seen. Explains Hugo Weaving's character and what seems to haunt him throughout. Though his character at first is loathsome to a degree he gets his chance to redeem himself. It's been awhile since one has seen Hugo Weaving in screen and here he is effective and strong.

In these early scenes we also get the basis for Desmond T. Doss’s religious and non violent policy.

I will admit to early on in the film being distracted by the strength, height and volume of Andrew Garfield's hair but once he begins boot camp the film and his performance kick into high gear.

As usual his character is challenged and tortured for his beliefs and is challenged by his faith but his belief in it and his patriotism Shine through as he constantly strives to be a good man and help his fellow man and brothers in arms. Which of course is reoccurring in Mel Gibson movies.

Andrew Garfield (really Strong in an oscar nominated performance) is a strong actor who gets more impressive the more risks in roles he takes. As at first physically he might seem like a lightweight but as he keeps going he gains strength and power in his punches. I have not agreed with some of than roles or movies he has been in, but at least you can tell he is trying and in films like this one and 99 HOMES. He completely succeeds.

At first at boot camp we are introduced to his platoon who all have particular nicknames and in these scenes they are grueling yet more lighthearted and comedic to prepare us for the. Ore heavy scenes to come. Especially once in combat and we see several of the Killed or wounded. As the film achieves giving the character and personalities so that when something bad happens we are much more connected to them and care about their fates.

The film Packs a punch as we go from boot camp to legal drama to out and out WAR film. So that the film feels like a shaky and torturous journey where his beliefs are never completely swayed of course the boot camp scenes are the most fun and all out entertaining as no matter how rough it gets. These scenes are truly the calm before the real storm.

Vince Vaughn is quite effective bringing humor and authority to his role. He ends up being one of the performances you remember most and the one you root for to survive it all.

Even Sam Worthington gives an effective performance. As he seems to be getting better with each film he appears in at this point. The war scenes are powerful where there are no rules and we see the carnage. Yet through Garfield's character there is hope.

While the Japanese are given short shrift mostly faceless forces they keep on the attack and execute with no mercy. Except for scenes where Garfield's character tries to help their similarly wounded which we hear about rather than see. While also making deals in some scenes for survival though never selling anyone out.

The film is stronger than you might expect at first. Showing that Mel Gibson no matter what you think about him Personally is still a talented, skilled and strong director. He is good at making these violent almost martyr films. As take into account last year's UNBROKEN directed by Angelina Jolie. A heroic, survival tale with strong martyr overtones based on a true story and a war movie. Yet still felt obvious and weak to a certain degree. So these types of tales need the right director at times to make it felt.

Mel Gibson throws us right into the battlefield where we feel like we are there can smell and see the carnage. The desperation the aggression the fear and despite ourselves keep moving forward and fighting for what we believe.

Mel Gibson stated there were aspects of this event that were true but that he couldn't include in the film because he felt people wouldn't believe they were true:

• Doss stepped on a grenade to save his buddies and was hit by shrapnel, but as he was being carried away by medics he saw another soldier hurt; since Doss himself was a medic he jumped off his stretcher and treated that soldier and told the medics to take care of other wounded soldiers; he then crawled back to safety while being shot at by enemy snipers. 

• While lowering men down the ridge, a Japanese soldier had Doss in his sights several times, and every time he did, his gun jammed, preventing him from shooting him. This was also omitted amidst fears of unbelievability.

 • In reality, Doss' bible went missing as he dragged himself to safety. Months after he was shipped home, he found it in the mail; his entire company, who once mocked him for his convictions, searched up and down Hacksaw until they found it. A number of events were changed or left out of the movie:

• The event of Desmond almost shooting his father after a fight with his mother. In real life the fight was between Desmond's father and his uncle, and his mother stepped in to take away the gun, getting Desmond to hide it. Desmond also had an older sister, Audrey, who was not portrayed in the film.

• Desmond didn't meet Dorothy while she was a nurse at a hospital. In fact she didn't become a nurse until after the war. They met when she came to his church selling Adventist books. He also didn't miss their wedding by being put in a holding cell, as they were already married by that point.

 • Desmond's prior combat at the Battle of Guam and the Battle of Leyte is skipped over, making it seem as if the Battle of Okinawa was his first combat experience.

 • The assault on Hacksaw Ridge seems to only last a few days, although Desmond's Medal of Honor citation covers events over about 3 weeks, and the Battle of Okinawa itself lasted 82 days. While not perfect the film is powerful and feels full.


Grade: B