Story & Details
Hacksaw Ridge is a gripping war drama based on the true story of Desmond Doss, an American combat medic who served during World War II and became the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor without firing a single shot. Raised in rural Virginia with strong religious convictions, Doss refuses to carry or use a weapon due to his Seventh-Day Adventist beliefs, yet enlists in the U.S. Army to serve as a medic. Facing ridicule, hostility, and attempts to discharge him, Doss perseveres through training and is eventually deployed to the Battle of Okinawa. In one of the war’s bloodiest conflicts, he single-handedly rescues 75 comrades from atop the fiercely contested escarpment known as Hacksaw Ridge. The film juxtaposes moments of heartfelt family and romance with brutal, unflinching depictions of battlefield chaos, highlighting the moral courage and resilience of its protagonist. Mel Gibson directs with trademark intensity, blending visceral battle sequences with intimate character moments, delivering a powerful meditation on faith, conviction, and human compassion amid unimaginable violence. Andrew Garfield’s performance is widely acclaimed, imbuing Doss with humility and quiet strength, supported by a strong ensemble cast. The movie earned multiple Academy Award nominations and won two, for Best Film Editing and Best Sound Mixing, solidifying its place as one of the most inspiring war films of the 21st century.
