Hacksaw Ridge Review

     Hacksaw Ridge is directed by Mel Gibson and stars Andrew Garfield. It tells the true story of Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield), the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service in WWII.

     Early on the film establishes Doss' aversion to violence, a theme further expounded on later on. The main conflict involves his reluctance to use (or even pick up) a weapon despite the fact that he has joined the army. His senior officers and fellow soldiers all give him a hard time, considering him to be a liability in battle. Finally he is court marshaled after refusing a direct order to fire a weapon. The film also deals with the romance between him and Dorothy Schutte (Teresa Palmer), his conflict with his father (Hugo Weaving) a world weary WWI vet, and his actions during the Battle of Okinawa, for which he was awarded the Medal Of Honor.

     Hacksaw Ridge is fairly historically accurate for a Hollywood film (particularly one helmed by Gibson). Doss did have an experience with his father that served as an impetus for his aversion to violence though the details of the incident are quite different than what the movie portrays. He was indeed picked on by his fellow soldiers for his refusal to carry a weapon, as well as his refusal to work on the Sabbath. It's also true that his commanding officer tried to have him discharged, though it is more dramatized in the film and the part where his father intervenes is taken from another, more minor incident. The actions for which Doss was awarded the Medal of Honor, staying behind on Hacksaw Ridge after his regiment retreated to eventually save 75 wounded men, are accurately portrayed. The movie also depicts his being wounded by a hand grenade, which he kicks out of the way to save some of his comrades. On the other hand, the scene where Desmond misses his wedding with Dorothy because of the Court Marshal never happened, as they where married before he was drafted. He was often denied furloughs and couldn't see her much during his training. The movie also leaves out Doss' earlier service in Guam and the Philippines, for which he was awarded two silver stars, along with his being wounded by a Japanese sniper on Hacksaw.

     Hacksaw Ridge is well directed by Gibson. Like most of his films it's very emotionally charged. One scene in particular choked me up a little. The early scenes are appropriately sentimental and the war scenes harrowingly violent. The score, by Harry Gregson Williams, is very effective. It may not be as memorable as James Horner's Braveheart score but in a more realistic film like this I think the score should produce more of general mood or feeling or it might become a distraction. Andrew Garfield does a good job in the lead role and most of the supporting actors put in fine performances as well. Hugo Weaving is easily the stand out as Desmond's drunken, somewhat abusive father, Tom. He really adds a lot of humanity to the role.

     Vince Vaughn, on the other hand, feels miscast as Doss' platoon sergeant. He works alright for the training sequences but as soon as the bullets starts flying he feels out of place. The film's other major flaw is Gibson's tendency to Hollywood-ize the action. In one scene a soldier picks a a dead body and uses it as a shield while he assaults an enemy position. In another Doss pulls Sgt. Howell to safety on his shelter half while the Sergeant uses his sub machine gun to hold off pursuing Japs.

     Hacksaw Ridge, like most of Gibson's films, has its flaws. But despite the liberties it takes with history it still manages to capture the essence of Doss' story. If this is Gibson's bid at redemption (public image wise) he could certainly do worse.

Score: 8.5/10