Hacksaw Ridge: A Look Into the Life of a War Hero

Violence, gore and inspirational are the words that I would use to describe the movie that is Hacksaw Ridge. The film is directed by the great Mel Gibson, director of films such as Braveheart and Apocalypto. Based on a true story, the film is set in World War Ⅱ at the battle of Okinawa. The movie centres around Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honour.

The scene is set in the middle of a battlefield with dead bodies littering the ground mutilated, and American soldiers fighting with the Japanese. Desmond Doss is set on a stretcher being carried back to safety while his commander says encouraging words reassuring him that he will be okay.  The first scene in itself may be triggering to some because of the bloodshed and the graphic depiction of dead bodies in a war zone. The scene shifts and a lighter tune is in the air. We are transported to the Virginian countryside where Gibson paints a serene atmosphere. An almost paradise where Desmond and his brother Hal chase each other across streams and over rocks. Though the scene depicts a perfect childhood and relationship between the two brothers, it is not all true. At one point of their childhood, Desmond almost kills his brother Hal in a brotherly brawl on their front lawn. This gives off a Habil and Qabil vibe in their relationship. Their father Tom, is a bitter war veteran who is a drunkard and at times an abusive father and husband. The almost death of his brother and his violent father led Desmond to become a peace loving pious man.

Desmond, a character played by the actor known for his role in spider-man, Andrew Garfield is a happy and at times awkward young man. After a visit to the hospital escorting an injured man, he is infatuated with a nurse named Dorothy. The courting begins and their love is a sweet cliché where boy kisses girl, girl slaps boy and boy proposes to girl. The sweetness ends when Desmond deployed to the army. Next, the scene cuts to a Desmond arriving at basic training. The scene is indecent because of the nudity of the man known as Hollywood who is apparently shameless and confident with his body image and thinks that it is okay to show off his body to the rest of the platoon. In this scene, we are also introduced to Sarge the leader of the platoon who spits out colourful insults like it’s his job. Desmond does fairly well during training but he refuses to kill or hold a weapon. This is where the problem arises. Sarge and the commander fear for the morale of the soldiers therefore come up with a plan to get Dawson to quit. The plan consequently leads to the beating of Dawson by his platoon members and being court marshaled. In the end, Tom saves the day by calling in a favour from his friend in the army to help Dawson. During the battle, Dawson who was considered the weakest link saved the most soldiers by remaining on the ridge while the others retreated. Day by day, he sent down wounded soldiers saving their lives instead of leaving them for death.

The movie is inspirational in the way that a man who stood up for his beliefs by the way of peace and did not cause any bloodshed, achieved much more than the others who raised their guns in violence. He was underdog then he became their most prized possession. Though some scenes in the movie may be somewhat gruesome and graphic, the overall message and plot of the story is very touching. It is the right balance of touching content and gruesome action. I would most recommend this movie to people because the actions of this man may well leave a lasting impression on the life of others. We should take heed in the lessons provided on you should not compromise on the things you believe in nor should you use violence to have your way and you should never give up even when others have no hope in you. Overall Hacksaw Ridge was a good movie which should be watched by others but the audience should beware of the mature scenes, nudity, inappropriate language and racial slurs.