Review of Hacksaw Ridge (2016) by Chris H — 30 Jan 2018

Hacksaw Ridge *****War is Hell but there's a Angel on Hacksaw Ridge.

Mel Gibson returns to the Director's Chair and into Hollywood's Good books with this epic WW2 story Hacksaw Ridge. After a decade in limbo and Gibson passing on the project twice (same with Braveheart) finance coming in from Australia this true life story finally gets a cinematic outing. .

?The film is based on the true story of Desmond Doss played by Andrew Garfield an conscientious objector who joins the army in WW2 but refuses to carry or use a weapon. .

This film is by all facts a mixed genre film being Action/Drama. The first half is almost a tender TV Drama showing the story of Doss from childhood , the series of events that shape him as a man and later his decision to join the army but keep to devout his religious beliefs. .

Doss is by all means a unique individual who cares deeply about family, honour and faith taking joy in helping others. .

His decision to join the army in order to be a medic is one that causes friction around him but the decision that he will not use a weapon is one that causes most provocation for Doss who becomes the point of hatred in the army. Victimised, picked on, attacked and taken to military court Doss is risking everything he has for everything he believes and the unfolding of his predicament is touching entertaining drama at it's best. .

?The second half of the film sees Doss enter War and not since From Dusk Till Dawn has there been a more violent Genre shift from Drama to Action/Horror as Gibson shows you first hand the extreme horrors of War. You can understand the pursuit of Gibson services as his CV shows his no novice at War films having directed Braveheart and later shown true horrors of violence in The Passion Of The Christ here he brings all his skills to the table. Pulling no punches with the extreme shift in tempo shows a slight glimpse of what the real life soldiers of war most of envisioned when they first step foot into the hells of the battlefields and futility of war with such wasted life on both sides. .

In this hell the soldiers are expected to take Hacksaw Ridge a viscous battle that will cost many lives. It's in this hell that Doss makes it his mission to risk his life in order to save as many lives as possible. This is where the real life Doss reportedly saved 75 wounded soldiers an outstanding feet that made him a hero. .

There is excellent supporting acting with highlights from Hugo Weaving one of Hollywood most underrated talents who plays Doss's Father horrendously mentally handicapped from his fighting in WW1 as well a welcomed comedy relief from Vince Vaughn as Doss's stern commanding officer.   ?

Gibson features real life footage at the end of the film which shows you the real life Doss and it's only here you can then fully appreciate the amazing Job Andrew Garfield did of portraying him as the real life Doss has a unique speaking pattern that seemed odd when first watching the film but then replaced when you appreciate the actors replicated authentically. You would expect most Hollywood films to disregard such attention to details having Doss persona replaced by a more bankable image with a John Wayne type lead marching over the Ridge saving everyone in sight. The choice not to do reinforces the remarkable real life story of a man that was utterly selfless demonstrating the best of human potential. .

?This is glorious to see this type of story made and most importantly respected. In such depressing real life times we live in where there is constant examples of negative behaviour it's a true refreshing experience to see a recreation of truly decent example of a human ability for goodness. The decision to put real life clips at the end of the film and show the audiences the true hero we saw who tells the audience his will to save others in the darkest hour of war is what moved this review from four stars to five.  .

?Further research into the real life Doss actually depicts that the film toned down some of the real heroism to make it more believable is a testimonial in itself. .