Desmond Doss was an Army medic during World War II. He was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Truman after saving the lives of more than 75 men. And he did it while never bearing arms.

Doss cited his deep Christian faith for why he couldn’t take a life and credited meeting his fiancee – a wartime nurse – for his call to save lives. He was categorized as a conscientious objector despite his insistence on joining the Army and going to war for his country. The movie Hacksaw Ridge is his story…

Story: This is a deep one. The writers went out of their way to make every scene was heart-felt. Every scene had meaning; None of them felt relaxed or simple. Every scene had a point; They all led to a WHY Desmond traveled the roads he traveled.

While I’m sure this was just harrowing to write, it would have been nice to have just one moment when the drama wasn’t so high. This could be an example of enhancing a story for theatrical purposes…

Performances: Andrew Garfield as Desmond Doss is surprisingly good. I’m told the transition from British to American Southerner is easy because they’re so different. Garfield makes it look easy for sure. I even had a moment when I forgot he’s English.

His mother and father, played by Rachel Griffiths and Nathaniel Buzolic had brief but powerful scenes, which were integral to the story. Hal Doss is a World War I veteran who is emotionally tortured by his service. It’s balanced by his wife Bertha, who keeps Hal, Desmond and his brother reminded of their faith.

But, the most colorful character of the entire show is Sergeant Howell played by Vince Vaughn. Perfectly cast. Loud, comedic, insulting… Perfectly cast.

Visual: This film is an aesthetic masterpiece not just in costumes or backdrops, but, in how the visual cues set the stage for everything that happens to Desmond. The scene where he severely injures his brother… The scene where he saves the mechanic under a car that’s fallen and most importantly, the scenes where he saves his fellow soldiers.

If Mel Gibson used no audio during the rescue scene at Hacksaw Ridge, you would still have the same awe-struck reaction. The conviction come through loud and clear…

Rating: Hacksaw Ridge gets a B+ from me. It’s so well done, but, so hard to watch. I think the inspiration was just too much for me — And the full-frontal guts of war unnerves me. BUT, at the end of the day, this really did happen.
The reach from such peaceful, warm moments to hardcore war… I’m reminded of The Thin Red Line, which, unnerved me as well. But you will be in awe that Desmond Doss did what he did…

If you like heroic, faith-based stories, this is the film for you…