“Hacksaw Ridge” is the unbelievable story of a West Virginia Seventh Day Adventist and conscientious objector Desmond Doss. His story is so amazing that I am shocked it hasn’t received huge attention before now. The idea to make this film started some sixteen years ago. Movies can take a long, long time to pitch, fund etc., etc.
The battle takes place on the island of Okinawa in May, 1945. My Dad was aboard the U.S.S. Henrico off Okinawa in April of 1945 and on his 19th birthday his ship was hit by a kamikaze and more than 150 sailors and other military were killed.
The movie opens in rural West Virginia where two young brothers reside with a kind mother and an alcoholic abusive father who came home badly damaged from fighting in the Great War in France. World War II is now in full swing and much to the father’s dismay both boys enlist to enter the fight. Young Desmond Doss, played beautifully by Andrew Garfield wants desperately to do his part but wants no part in killing. He is eager to be a medic where he can help save lives while taking none. The Army wants no part of him and tries everything to get him discharged but to no avail. Desmond joins the war effort with his infantry unit and lives through some of the fiercest, ugly fighting of the war. To say that the movie is violent is a huge understatement. Gibson pulls no punches in showing war at its worst and most terrifying. The actions of Desmond Doss in battle are beyond belief and seemingly impossible. He is a hero extraordinaire. He single handedly time and again risks his life to save others.
The performances are excellent throughout starting with Garfield, best known for his Spider Man performances. While born in Los Angeles he grew up in England. He is perfect as the shy, somewhat clumsy hillbilly with a big heart and a passion to stand by his strong beliefs. Hugo Weaving masterfully depicts Desmond’s troubled Dad who is a broken man after losing most of his friends to war. He joins a cast of largely Australians playing Americans. Vince Vaughn is the sole born and raised in America cast member. He ably plays the tough talking yet funny Sergeant in the 77th Infantry Regiment. It’s great to see him spread his wings a bit in a serious role. Rachel Griffiths (“Six Feet Under”) is excellent as the loving, religious mother who teaches her sons that killing is wrong. Despite the physical abuse by her husband she holds the family together with the logic that her husband “hates himself “. Lastly, the beautiful Teresa Palmer plays Desmond’s girlfriend then wife. The camera loves her and I expect that she will land more terrific parts after this stellar performance.
While the movie gets a little cheesy in spots it is a must see. Stick around before the credits roll for some brief interviews with Desmond himself and his Company Commander. The “Greatest Generation” to be sure.
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Amazing story and told in an amazing, believable way. Saving Private Ryan moves to the far east in some ways. It’s been a few years since I saw SPR but I think Mel may have illustrated the absolute horror of war even more graphically. But it is, from what I know, perhaps even toned down some from the actual horrors of Okinawa.
I very much enjoyed it as well. Gibson did a great job.