Hacksaw Ridge

Hacksaw Ridge (2016): A Story of Conviction, Courage, and Compassion in War

Directed by Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge (2016) is a powerful war drama based on the extraordinary true story of Desmond Doss, a U.S. Army medic who served during World War II and became the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor. The film combines brutal battlefield realism with a deeply human portrait of faith and moral conviction, resulting in one of the most compelling war films of the 21st century.

Andrew Garfield delivers a remarkable performance as Desmond Doss, a devout Seventh-day Adventist who enlists in the Army but refuses to carry or use a weapon due to his religious beliefs. Seen as a coward by his peers and superiors, Doss faces intense scrutiny, ridicule, and even physical abuse during training. Yet, he remains unwavering in his mission to serve as a medic and save lives without compromising his values.

The film’s first half focuses on Doss’s upbringing in rural Virginia, his complicated relationship with his alcoholic, war-scarred father (Hugo Weaving), and his romance with Dorothy Schutte (Teresa Palmer). It then shifts to basic training, where Doss’s pacifism brings him into direct conflict with military expectations.

The second half plunges into the Battle of Okinawa—specifically the brutal assault on Hacksaw Ridge. These scenes are graphically intense, with Gibson’s unflinching direction showing the full horror of war: explosions, amputations, and the chaos of combat. Amid the carnage, Doss’s heroism shines through. Without a weapon, he single-handedly saves 75 wounded soldiers, repeatedly risking his life to lower them down the ridge to safety.

What sets Hacksaw Ridge apart is its portrayal of a hero whose strength lies not in violence, but in compassion and steadfast belief. The contrast between Doss’s gentle nature and the savagery around him elevates the film from a standard war epic to a profound moral statement.

Garfield’s performance earned him an Academy Award nomination, and the film itself received six Oscar nominations, winning for Best Film Editing and Best Sound Mixing. It’s a story not just of war, but of spiritual resilience, courage under fire, and the power of living by one’s principles.

In summary, Hacksaw Ridge is a brutal yet uplifting film that honors the quiet bravery of a man who refused to take life, and instead, saved it—over and over again.