Hacksaw Ridge

     We all love a story about someone who stands by their moral convictions, right? Mel Gibson's 2016 WWII film, Hacksaw Ridge, recounts the true life story of Army medic, Private Desmond Doss, and his religious convictions of not bearing arms, even in war. In spite of his refusal to carry a weapon into combat, Doss manged to save the lives of 75 men during one of the bloodiest battles in Okinawa, Japan. Doss' religious pacifist convictions as a conscientious objector caused conflict not only within the army, but also his own family. Yet, he never set out to prove anything. All he wanted to do is serve as a medic. It was never his intention to become a hero.

     From childhood, Desmond Doss was taught the murder was the most egregious of sins. After he badly hurts his brother, Desmond swore to himself that he would never harm another soul. Not even his alcoholic father, who sadly suffers from PTSD from his service in WWI. Desmond grew up as a Seventh-day Adventist, adhering to their strict rules without complaint. Despite his shy and even awkward nature, Desmond is a hard worker with a gift for medical care. And as fate would have it, Desmond meets his future wife, Dorothy Schutte at a hospital where she works as a nurse. Beautiful and practical, Dorothy helps Desmond with his painful shyness and will support him in his decisions even if she herself may not agree.

     As WWII drags on Desmond and his brother, Hal, both enlist to avoid being drafted. Despite his opposition to bear arms, Desmond desires to become a medic and is told that he can enlist without basic rifle training. Tom Doss, Desmond's father, does not approve of his sons entering the military, due to his own struggle with war trauma and loss of his friends. In spite of Tom's alcoholism and madness at times, he truly does care about his sons and doesn't want them to suffer the same way he has.

     After arriving at Fort Jackson for basic training, it doesn't take long for Desmond to start turning heads. His scrawny appearance earns him the nickname, Private Cornstalk, from his superior, Sergeant Howell, but he proves to be the most fit out of all the men. However, when rifle training begins, Doss stands his ground on his refusal to touch a weapon and not working on the Sabbath (Saturday). Sergeant Howell and Captain Jack Glover are at an utter loss to understand Desmond's religious high ground and set out to make Desmond's time at Fort Jackson a misery. 

    Desmond is harassed by Smitty Ryker, a tough talking bully and his rival from the first day, given menial and filthy tasks by Glover and Howell, and even beaten up in the middle of the night by the other men. And throughout it all, Desmond never complains or points out any of his attackers. His resilience, refusal to fight back and ability to carry through with training, amidst the constant abuse he receives, begins to affect everyone, especially Smitty. Soon Glover and Howell begin to garner some modicum of respect for young Doss, but the US army disagrees. 

    Eventually, Desmond is court martialed by the higher powers for his refusal to bear arms. He ends up missing his wedding and risks having to serve out the rest of the war in a military prison. Ultimately willing to face time in prison, it's his father of all people, who saves him. With proof that Desmond is protected by the Constitution, he is released and allowed to finish his training. 

    Sent to the Pacific Theater in Okinawa, Desmond and the rest of the unit, now the 77th Infantry Division, are sent to relieve a former unit. The 77th is tasked with securing Maeda Escarpment or Hacksaw Ridge. The mountainous and steep ridge is only accessible by a hanging cargo net and littered with corpses from both sides. The Japanese have hidden bases all around the ridge that mask them carefully from the enemy.

     Upon arriving on top of the escarpment, the 77th is immediately under fire from the camouflaged enemy. Soon, Desmond is racing across bullets and endless blood shed to rescue every man he can find. Even when told to leave 'those for which there is no hope' to die on the battlefield, Desmond is determined to save any man that still has breath. 

    After two days of unyielding enemy attack, the unit finally retreats. Yet, Desmond remains on top of Hacksaw Ridge. During the night, Desmond finds as many men as he can and lowers them one by one down the ridge. Through prayer to get just one more man, sheer willpower, intense stamina and pure courage, Desmond works endlessly through the night and even saves Sergeant Howell who was badly shot in the leg. 

    The other men in the unit are amazed at Desmond's determination to stay on the ridge and surviving the enemy without a weapon. Finally after months of cruelty and harassment from his unit, Desmond wins their overwhelming respect and gratitude. Even Captain Glover seeks Desmond out while he's in recovery and humbly asks his forgiveness. Now seen as a hero and miracle among the 77th, Desmond leads the men back up the ridge. Carrying only his Bible, Desmond Doss makes history as the conscientious objector who fought bravely without bearing arms.

    A truly intriguing story about a humble young man whose patriotic heart coincided with his devotion to all human life. Beautifully written, filmed and acted, Hacksaw Ridge has all the action of a regular WWII film, but the main story of religious convictions, humility, and ultimate trust in God permeates through the blood and gore of warfare.