Hacksaw Ridge Review

Edwin Starr emphatically asks in his 1970 hit “War, what is it good for?”. That cost of war has been a long discussed subject for hundreds of years. Through the centuries in America, wartime events have dominated our culture and crafted our national identity. With the myriad challenges of war one story that is seldom told is keeping one's faith during war, where it is challenged most. In Mel Gibson's latest film Hacksaw Ridge, the struggle for preserving faith during war is on full display. When I saw it, this Veterans Day I was reminded of the sacrifices made by all who have served in our armed forces, and that that sentiment is magnified in a war film that deviates from standard.

The film tells the true story of Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield), a Seventh-day Adventist from Virginia who is conflicted. During a childhood brawl with his older brother Hal (Nathaniel Buzolic), Desmond hits Hal with a brick, knocking him to the ground. Following the incident, Doss fears he has killed his brother, when his brother survives he swears to obey The Sixth Commandment as he sees fit and practice devout pacifist. Later, as a young man in a heightened wartime effort in the midst of the Second World War, things change. Hal has enlisted in the Army, troubling their alcoholic father (Hugo Weaving) whose experience serving in World War I has enveloped a hatred of war. Despite sharing his father’s pacifism, Desmond enlists likewise, compelled to serve his country during a time of crisis. Despite dissuasion from both parents and his girlfriend, Dorothy (Teresa Palmer), a local nurse, Desmond enlists in basic training with the intent to head into battle without ever firing a weapon.

Upon his arrival at bootcamp, Doss’ first challenges arise when he rebuffs rifle training. First met with laughs and bewilderment, when they learn of Doss’ conscientious objection, fellow cadets and superiors seek to make Doss suffer for his perceived insubordination. One scene depicts Doss’ dilemma fittingly: Smitty (Luke Bracey), a fellow cadet confronts Doss and slaps him across the face, daring him to hit back. “I don’t think this is a question of religion fellas”, I think this is cowardice” an exasperated Smitty announces to their peers. Suffering nighttime floggings, shunning, and an attempted psychiatric discharge. Doss withstands it all. He faithfully fulfills Christ's commandment to “Turn the other cheek” in times of physical and philosophical confrontation. One is reminiscent of the perseverance and discipline of the Holy men and women of God who have earned the title “Saint” when they observe how Doss is bullied. but keeps his faith and spirits high, refusing to leave the Army or denounce his religion.

After the Army exhausts all legal and social remedies to expel Doss, he joins his platoon in Okinawa, ready to fulfill his vocation as a medic. Once there, Doss is exposed to the horrors of war, dead corpses, exploding extremities, and graphic wounds make for perhaps an overly vivid exposition of why Doss retains his nonviolent views. Doss serves dutifully as a medic, uninterested in attention or power playing, he treats all platoon members like brothers, tending to their every medical need, despite their prior hatred of him. One scene exemplifies the power of camaraderie as Smitty, a former foe, shares laughs and thanksgiving with Doss during a night patrol. Doss never seeks to proselytize or change the minds of his fellow servicemen but instead preaches by doing, which serves as explanation for the actual earning of the Medal of Honor by Voss, presented by President Harry Truman.

The film has been cited by critics as both an anti-war and pro-war film, but to concern ourselves with labels is to miss the point of Hacksaw Ridge. Doss models the notion that service does not just come accompanied with weaponry, but with a humble and contrite heart, willing to be the custodians for brethren on the battlefield. In a time wherein religion, especially in Hollywood, seems obsolete, a hero, who is not just an underdog but a distinctly Christian one, is an inspiring and welcomed sight.