Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
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A conscientious objector faces the ultimate test of faith and courage as a combat medic during the Battle of Okinawa.
The story
In the years leading up to World War II, Desmond Doss, a man of deep faith, prepares for his role as a medic. When the United States enters the war, he enlists despite his refusal to carry a weapon, a stance that makes him a pariah among his fellow soldiers. During his training and subsequent deployment to the Pacific Theater, he faces intense scrutiny and physical hardship from his superiors and peers. The conflict intensifies as his unit is tasked with securing the Maeda Escarpment, known as Hacksaw Ridge, where his commitment to his beliefs is put to the ultimate test amidst the chaos of battle.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film follows Desmond Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist who refuses to carry a weapon into battle. During his training, he is ostracized by his peers and nearly discharged by his superiors, but his conviction remains firm. He eventually marries his sweetheart, Dorothy, before being deployed to the Pacific. During the Battle of Okinawa, his unit is tasked with taking Hacksaw Ridge. Amidst heavy casualties, Doss remains on the ridge, pulling wounded men to safety and lowering them down the cliff while praying for each one. He is eventually wounded by a grenade but continues to save others. The film concludes with the real-life Desmond Doss being awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions, and a final look at his life before his death.
- First release year
- 2016
- Runtime (minutes)
- 139
- Production countries
- United States; Australia
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Mel Gibson
- Writers
- Andrew Knight · writer; Robert Schenkkan · writer
- Cast and characters
- Andrew Garfield · Desmond Doss; Sam Worthington; Luke Bracey; Teresa Palmer; Hugo Weaving; Rachel Griffiths; Vince Vaughn
- Genres
- biographical; war; drama
- Themes
- pacifism; faith; valor; conviction
- Tone and mood
- brutal; heartfelt; inspiring
- Premise and plot tags
- war; biography; religion; medical
- Source material / true-story basis
- The Conscientious Objector (2004 documentary)
- Content notes
- violence
- Reception
- The film received critical acclaim, particularly for Mel Gibson's direction and Andrew Garfield's performance. It was praised as a return to form for Gibson and was selected as a top film of 2016 by the National Board of Review and American Film Institute.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 84% · scale: percentage · review count: 282; Metacritic · score: 71 · scale: 100 · review count: 47; CinemaScore · score: A · scale: A+ to F; PostTrak · score: 91% · scale: percentage
- Awards and nominations
- Faith & Freedom Award · MovieGuide Awards · 2017 · win
- Production trivia
- The film was in development limbo for 14 years.; Mel Gibson's first film since Apocalypto in 2006.; The film was shot entirely in Australia.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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