Hacksaw Ridge

Parental Rating: R

Contains: Language    Violence    Adult Content    

Jill's Review

Opens November 4, 2016

Runs 131 minutes

Based on the incredible true story of Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield), a young Army medic who went into one of the most brutal battles of WWII without any weapons. Young Desmond was raised by an alchoholic father (Hugo Weaving) suffering from PTSD from WWI and a devout Christian mother (Rachel Griffiths). When Desmond's brother Hal enlists, Desmond feels that he must enlist, as well. He feels that as a Christian he owes it to all of the other soldiers to do his part for the Country, even though he cannot kill another man. He leaves behind his sweetheart Dorothy (Teresa Palmer) and heads to Basic Training. Under the instruction of Sergeant Howell (Vince Vaughn) and Captain Glover (Sam Worthington), young Desmond is put through drills and obstacle courses. But, when Desmond refuses his army issued weapon, everyone soon thinks of him as a coward. He is eventually court-martialed. However, he wins his case and is allowed to remain a Conscientious Objector Army Medic and go into battle without a weapon. He and his fellow soldiers are immediately deployed to Okinawa. The other soldiers don't want to be around another soldier who cannot protect them and they ridicule Desmond. The battle is horrific. Soldiers are basically sent up Hacksaw Ridge to their deaths. That is until Desmond personally saves 75 men by carrying them out on his back with bullets flying all around him. He goes on to earn the admiration of all of the men and to become the first Conscientious Objector to earn the Medal of Honor.

This is an awe-inspiring movie. It is a war movie and it is violent, brutal and bloody. The war scenes are so realistic you feel like you are in the middle of the battle. It is hard to imagine climbing up Hacksaw Ridge knowing that the Japanese were just waiting at the top to shoot you down. Mel Gibson does another tremendous directing job. And, Christianity is front and center. Desmond carries his Bible at all times. He reads it and prays. And, he follows his beliefs even though he knows that it might make his job even more dangerous and difficult. Even amidst all of the gunfire and violence, there is a beating heart to this movie. Desmond is such a true hero. You will be in awe and touched by what he does for our Country. The acting is top notch. There is plenty of humor in the Basic Training scenes but the rest of the film is edge of your seat nightmare of war. In a nice touch, there are interviews at the end with some of his actual fellow soldiers and with Desmond himself. This only adds to the film and how much of a hero Desmond really was. A MUST SEE!

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