Mel Gibson is back in the driver seat with Hacksaw Ridge. The movie tells the story of Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield), a conscientious objector who wanted to serve but refused to carry a weapon. Doss served as an army medic in the Pacific during World War 2. His actions during the Battle of Okinawa - where it's estimated he saved 75 men single-handed - would earn him the Medal of Honor.
If you've seen We Were Soldiers; then Hacksaw Ridge may look oddly familiar. Gibson has clearly taken inspiration from his previous war movie, with the two sharing a very similar look - certainly in the battle scenes. Much like Randall Wallace did with We Were Soldiers, Gibson has managed to show the horrors of such a battle in a way that is respectful of all that those men did, and the camaraderie they shared, without ever glamorising war. To that end, as much as this is Doss' story, the actions of his fellow soldiers are not overlooked, thanks in part to some brilliant performances. This includes their initial treatment of Doss. While Garfield delivers the best performance of his career thus far, as the man who wanted to serve his country without compromising his beliefs.
Starting in the 1920's, we're introduced to a young Doss and some of the events that led him to find his faith. It's pretty much your standard biopic fair for the most part, but what becomes quickly apparent - and the movie establishes very well - is that it's a wonder Doss became the man he did. Hugo Weaving delivers an excellent performance as Doss' rather scary alcoholic, PTSD afflicted father. Where the movie really starts to come to life, however, is when Doss reaches basic training and he has to stand tall as everyone from his squad mates to his commanding officers turn on him. Garfield shows real grit and determination in a performance that reflects the steadfastness that Doss clearly possessed. Which makes it all the more incredible when you see him go from being the man everyone wanted to be rid of, to the soldier they wouldn't go into battle without.
Unsurprisingly the battles are intense, depicting a nightmarish hellscape the American forces had to take in order to end the Japanese military's hold over Okinawa, and the movie puts you right in the middle of it with Doss. But despite being chaotic and overwhelming - it's not hard to see how or why that ridge earned its name - thanks to the tight, close-in shooting style, you really get a sense of the microcosm in which all this carnage is occurring. That it's just one small piece of a much larger conflict. The tragedy of which is never lost.
As with most Hollywood depictions of historical events, some liberties have been taken with the history. Okinawa is depicted as the first time Doss and his unit saw combat. In reality, he served on Guam and Leyte (Philippines) - where he earned a Bronze Star - before his unit was sent to Okinawa. Doss' time on Okinawa is depicted as only a few days, but his Medal of Honor citation covers his actions over a three-week period. Apparently, Gibson decided to exclude certain true events because he believed people wouldn't believe they actually happened - which isn't surprising to hear. Despite all this, the movie does (in my opinion) honour the man and his story, without forgetting his friends.
This is a real return to form for Mel Gibson. Despite being ten years since he sat in the directors chair, Gibson still knows how to put together an intense movie going experience. As evidenced by the many accolades attributed to Hacksaw Ridge, including six Oscar nominations. The story of Desmond Doss is very compelling. And even though the movie isn't 100% accurate, it does capture the spirit of both the story and the man.
8/10
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