The first half lays out the childhood and adolescence of its hero, Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield), a Seventh-day Adventist turned U.S. Army corporal. Desmond Doss is an American hero. While still making the audience on their edge of their seats. Hacksaw Ridge. The film tells story of Desmond Doss, a man with difficult fate. Garfield nails Doss' kind heartedness, and his persistence to not do acts of violence during World War II. It is very clear that one of the films main focuses is war due to the fact that half the film is set in a battlefield. Doss' drill sergeant (Vince Vaughn, effectively typecast as a charismatic bully) and other commanding officers keep pressuring Doss to pick up a rifle. Existing customer? 1020 Words5 Pages. Desmond Doss’ inspiring story came to life once again in Hacksaw Ridge, a 2016 biographic film directed by Mel Gibson. 15. Open in Subtext. When he refuses, they humiliate him and sign off on his hazing; his own platoon-mates call him "coward" and "pussy." Matt Zoller Seitz is the Editor at Large of RogerEbert.com, TV critic for New York Magazine and Vulture.com, and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in criticism. It is an action/adventure and drama film about an American army medic in World War II that saved 75 men without using a weapon. Hacksaw Ridge is a 2016 biographical war film directed by Mel Gibson and written by Andrew Knight and Robert Schenkkan, based on the 2004 documentary The Conscientious Objector.The film focuses on the World War II experiences of Desmond Doss, an American pacifist combat medic who, as a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, refused to carry or use a weapon or firearm of any kind. It is not even close to a family friendly movie. The movie incorrectly shows that he was donating blood in order to know a nurse Dorothy.Actually, Dorothy wasn’t a nurse at that time. While action was a key storytelling element, “Hacksaw Ridge” hinges on pacifism — and Gibson calls it a love story. Hacksaw Ridge – A Reflection Posted by alycakes on March 4, 2017 October 24, 2017 If you had asked me “what is your favourite film at this current point in time” this time last week, I would have answered you with “La La Land” in a heartbeat. The other soldiers' crude sexual talk and casual sadism are contrasted with Doss' sweetness, piety and chastity. Show More. HACKSAW RIDGE - WEEKLY FILM ANALYSIS. Of course, it's directed by Mel Gibson, who rose to international stardom in R-rated action flicks and went on to become the true heir to Sam Peckinpah, directing a series of astoundingly violent films with cores of spirituality: "Braveheart," "The Passion of the Christ" and "Apocalypto." Hacksaw Ridge by: Stephen, Jack, JMIL, and Lauren GOAL! The following summary of the plot has spoilers, so it is advised that if you want to watch the film, it is best not to read this document now. It is certainly not a Christian movie. Show More. Steadfast in their belief that war requires a man to kill (Influence Character Throughline of Fixed Attitude*), the collective Influence Characters of Pvt. Tom Doss' drinking problem feels like more than just a biographical detail. For this, his commanding officer had him court-martialed and attempted to expel him from the military. In return and in recognition of the newfound respect between them, Doss agrees to rescind his refusal to go into combat on Saturday--the day of his Sabbath (Relationship Story Solution of Temptation*). Hacksaw Ridge is a war drama based on documentary materials; it was directed by Mel Gibson and first demonstrated in 2016. While covering familiar thematic ground in its exploration of the horrors of war, Hacksaw Ridge maintains a consistency of narrative purpose that both moves and convinces us of its message of strength through conviction. "Hacksaw Ridge," about a pacifist who won the Medal of Honor without firing a shot, is a mess. The movie was released in 2016 and was directed by Mel Gibson. The Hacksaw Ridge is a movie that elaborates on the encounter of Desmond Doss an American combat medic in the battlefield during World War II and his unprecedented but bold move to step out and offer his services at the first line of war (Walton, 21). Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge is not the worst war movie. Finally, we see the hell on Earth that was … Hacksaw Ridge is a film directed by Mel Gibson and released in 2016. Wow, what an incredible movie! for intense prolonged realistically graphic sequences of war violence including grisly bloody images. It's worth pointing out here that Doss is the child of an alcoholic World War I veteran, Tom (Hugo Weaving). The rifles that Doss refuses to pick up are described as girls, women, mates, "perhaps the only thing in life you'll truly love." Driven to save lives instead of take lives, Doss finds it a challenge to complete basic training and get married to his beloved while at the same time staying true to his beliefs (Main Character Problem of Help*, Main Character Issue of Preconception*). Desmond Doss **Main Character A Conscientious Objector Follows the Seventh Day Adventist Religion believes that killing is the worst sin of all Hacksaw Ridge is a biographical, war drama movie based on a true story of an American military hero who single-handedly moved injured soldiers to safety amid heavy fighting and death in the World War II. Browse other questions tagged analysis hacksaw-ridge mel-gibson. But the first half, which channels the majestic squareness of a John Ford family drama, is weird, too. Anyway, it touches my heart and warm up my blood with the blazing flame from the rains of bullets in the movie. This includes experiences that will enlighten and help us in life and practical things that are happening in our world, not just on the big screen. This comes through strongly in the relationship between Doss and fellow infantryman Smitty ( Luke Bracey ), a far more convincing love story than the one between Doss … Hacksaw Ridge is a story of courage in battle but it’s also one of faith, integrity and the courage to live by one’s convictions. The movie is Mel Gibson’s re-telling of the true story of Private Desmond T. Doss, an Army medic in WWII (Andrew Garfield) who served during the Battle of Okinawa without carrying a rifle into battle. Doss refused to wield a weapon or harm another person. It's myth-making with a dash of self-help and Scripture, but Gibson keeps trying to jazz things up with violence or the threat of violence, even when the scenes don't seem to call for it. Finally had the bandwidth to sit down, without distractions, and watch Hacksaw Ridge on Amazon Prime Video for the first time. He preaches the virtues of nonviolence, rails against the romanticizing of war, visits the graves of childhood friends killed at the Battle of Belleau Wood, and doesn't want Doss or his older brother Hal (Nathaniel Buzolic) to enlist after Pearl Harbor. Characters in Hacksaw Ridge. On the morning of their victory, Captain Glover reveals his meaningful change of character by delaying their assault through respecting Doss' religious beliefs (Influence Character Resolve of Changed* & Influence Character Solution of Avoidance*). It is incredibly violent and jarring at times, but war is an ugly thing. The true story of Desmond T. Doss, the conscientious objector who, at the Battle of Okinawa, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his incredible bravery and regard for his fellow soldiers. Doss, a conscientious objector, served in the Army as a medic and saved seventy five men during the horrific Battle of Okinawa in World War II. It was sold as a faith-based movie to Christian audi… Australian colorist Trish Cahill first got involved in the DI on Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge when cinematographer Simon Duggan enquired about her interest and availability for the film. “Hacksaw Ridge”: the Film Review. The combat pays nearly as much attention to the rending, burning and perforating of flesh as it does to the hero's anguish and ingenuity. 1842 Words 8 Pages. But he's also self-pitying, quick to anger, and beats his wife Bertha (Rachel Griffiths) and their sons. Doss survives the war with his life and sense of humanity intact. Mrs Doss. Isaiah 40:28 Voiceover: "Have you not heard? Hacksaw Battle of Okinawa 1:10-2:15 Andrew Garfield does an outstanding job capturing Doss in the movie. Hacksaw Ridge isn’t pro-war or anti-war, nor is there a clear-cut gun control narrative to paste on it. The boy who Desmond hits in the head with a brick when they are children. Hacksaw Ridge tells the amazingly true story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who refused to use a weapon in World War II. Hacksaw Ridge is a biographical war film and hit the big screen in 2016. The way Smitty looks at Doss during the battle of Okinawa recalls the way the disciples gazed upon Jesus in Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ"—as a promise and a mystery; a person so strikingly different from other people, so fully formed, so serenely and undeniably good, that he seems more angel than man. Set in Virginia hill country in the '20s and '30s, it's shot in the creamy hues of a Norman Rockwell painting, and filled with earnest, Old Hollywood-styled exchanges about violence and pacifism. There are even moments where the film seems ashamed that it can't live up to Doss' example—particularly when other characters question Doss' belief that violence is never justified and that there is no real distinction between killing and murder. Familiar movie situations, such as Doss taking his future wife Dorothy Schutte (Teresa Palmer) out on a date or getting to know his bunk-mates, are interrupted by horror movie-style jump scares or fused to bits of black comic suspense (we know somebody's going to get maimed by the knife that a soldier is brandishing when Doss enters the barracks; the only questions are which one and when). But they can't imagine the world being anything other than what it is, a place ruled by brute force and cruelty. I wonder what the real Doss, who died in 2006, would have thought of it. Rated R A lingering close-up of guts and goop is followed by a shot of the hero looking appalled or terrified, as if to rebuke the director's gifts. Of course Smitty loathes and torments Doss, then comes to respect and even revere him. The two fight over a small stretch of sand in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the victor rising when the last man of the opposing side falls (Objective Story Focus of Control* & Story Continuum of Spacetime*). The film Hacksaw Ridge follows the inspiring true story of Desmond Doss in the Battle of Okinawa during World War II. We see his upbringing and how this shaped his views, especially his religious view and anti-killing stance. But he can't. Similarities Cont. Strong Ideas, Loosely Held: Director Josh Greenbaum on Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, The Ripple Effect: Daniel Kaluuya and Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. on Judas and the Black Messiah. The productivity tool for storytellers. Hacksaw Ridge Film Analysis; Hacksaw Ridge Film Analysis. It's a movie at war with itself. Swapping out our Syntax Highlighter. The score is an orchestral based composition with emphasis on the string ensemble leading as the driving force behind the emotion of the music. © 2020 Narrative First. The highly praised film won an Academy Award as well multiple AACTA, Satellite, Critics Choice, and BAFTA awards. Before we get to Okinawa, though, Gibson drags us through a somewhat hurried exposition, i… Based on a true story, Hacksaw Ridge concerns a man named Desmond Doss (played by Andrew Garfield), who was a decorated hero during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II, despite the fact that he never shot a gun. It makes hash of its plainly stated moral code by reveling in the same blood-lust it condemns. All rights reserved. As "Private Beanstalk", Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield) stands out amongst his fellow soldiers in the U.S. Army--not only physically (Main Character Throughline of Situation*) but in the way their different ways of thinking challenge their relationship with one another (Relationship Story Throughline of Manner of Thinking*). This stuff feels like a violation of the spirit of Doss' moral code, if not its letter. True to form, "Hacksaw Ridge" draws equally on Gibson's bottomless thirst for mayhem and his sincerely held religious beliefs—or some of them, anyway. For a long time you think Doss is an idealized figure, free of neuroses and complications. Also of interest: like Sam Peckinpah, Gibson has struggled with alcoholism, he has bipolar disorder and rage issues as well, and as an artist he is addicted to violence. Hacksaw Ridgeis a case of false advertising. It doesn't have the words or images to express how deep it is. Hacksaw Ridge Movie Analysis. Mel Gibson’s new war biopic, Hacksaw Ridge, is an orgiastic celebration of violence and viscera that will leave you in serious need of a shower.His … They can feel the truth of what Doss is saying. All that said, "Hacksaw Ridge" seems aware of its inability to present the horrors of war in a consistently non-thrilling, non-cool way. Hacksaw Ridge is a war film that talks about a story of the raise of a hero. What you see on other characters' faces in these scenes is not contempt but incredulity, followed by petulance and finally denial. When challenged to reconsider that killing in war is not murder, Doss only widens the gap between he and his compatriots by acting the conscientious objector (Influence Character Response of Reconsider* & Relationship Story Problem of Conscience*). Unfortunately, the Japanese army consists of unconventional soldiers who retaliate with a complete lack of self-preservation, matching the U.S. aggression without quarter (Objective Story Issue of Self Interest*). The script, credited to Andrew Knight and playwright Robert Schenkkan ("All the Way"), keeps returning to Tom. Avoid plotholes while writing more stories. Log in. Thankfully for those he was serving with, […] 1562 Words 7 Pages. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. Too bad action-film awesomeness is the intoxicant that "Hacksaw Ridge" can't quit. In-depth posts on story structure & story analysis, Insightful reviews through the lens of comprehensive story theory, Visual explanations of basic story structure principles, Conversational story structure with an ear for great storytelling, Daily updates & insights into the world of narrative, Early essays and accounts of a greater understanding of story. A moving and emotional film that effectively convinces us of the importance of staying true to one's convictions. The film focuses on the world war two experiences of the pacific combat medic Desmond Doss, played by the Amazing Spiderman-star Andrew Garfield. The Americans take Hacksaw Ridge! This film is inept and beautiful, stupid and amazing. We see Doss's trials and tribulations after enlisting in the US Army and trying to become a medic. All of the previous Hollywood’s attempts to adapt his story were rejected by the war hero himself, as he did not believe the producers would maintain historical accuracy. She didn’t have to consider the idea long before saying yes. The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. This is the directorial equivalent of Gibson the actor working Three Stooges shtick into otherwise straightforward dialogue scenes—either a nervous tic or a compulsion. Hacksaw Ridge is a real-life inspired movie about the story of America’s first conscientious objector who received the Medal of Honor; Desmond T. Dawes. Hacksaw Ridge. Desmond Doss; the only man to win the Congressional Medal of Honor without lifting a rifle. Hacksaw Ridge is the story of WWII American Army Medic Desmond T. Doss, played by Andrew Garfield, who served during the Battle of Okinawa. Smitty (Luke Bracey), Sgt. Desmond Doss was a seventh-day Adventist Christian and refuses to use a firearm or any kind of weapon. Mel Gibson's first film in ten years, Hacksaw Ridge, delivers an emotionally captivating and compelling argument about standing true to one's convictions. Hacksaw Ridge. In the end, the US finds victory with inspiration from Doss and his dogged approach of surviving throughout the night without firing a shot (Story Outcome of Success* & Objective Story Solution of Avoidance*). “It is directed by Mel Gibson and the writers are by Andrew Knight and Robert Schenkan”. He wants to change and knows why he should. Hacksaw Ridge love story isn’t one of one of the best-shown stories and probably better solution for the movie that is shown as is has really happened.Doss and his wife Dorothy have met in the church and there was no big drama about that. Gibson shows soldiers using mortar shells as homemade grenades (as in the climax of "Saving Private Ryan"), shifts into glorious slow-motion to showcase a soldier kicking an enemy's lobbed grenade away, and treats us to the surreal and inappropriately comic sight of Doss towing a paraplegic infantryman on a homemade sled while the man cuts down bushels of Japanese soldiers with a sub-machine gun. Analysis Of The Film Hacksaw Ridge; Analysis Of The Film Hacksaw Ridge. The palette of instruments varies but… Surname 1 Nikka Diaz Instructor Course Date “Hacksaw Ridge” Film Analysis Most movies do have a lesson that we viewers can apply in real life. The main issue with Hacksaw Ridge is it is confused as to its identity. I'd be shocked if a director as attuned to mythic signifiers as Gibson weren't trying, in his own fumbling way, to explore this idea. Hacksaw Ridge is a 2016 biographical war film, written by Andrew Knight and Robert Schenkkhan. In both the history and the movie Desmond Doss was drafted into the united states army in April 1942 and in March 1944 he was shipped out with the 77th division for the Hacksaw Ridge is the true story of Pvt. Hot Meta Posts: Allow for removal by moderators, and thoughts about future … Related. But after a while you see the darkness in him, and you believe it exists because of the thoughtful way Garfield has prepared you. That's why it's more interesting to talk about than it is to watch. Mel Gibson's first film in ten years, Hacksaw Ridge, delivers an emotionally captivating and compelling argument about standing true to one's convictions. The genre of the film is presented clearly through the iconography of the movie. Even in non-war scenes, it can't stop reaching for the bottle, and there's a wave of shame when it falls off the wagon. 794 Words 4 Pages. In its more thoughtful moments, the film treats intoxication with violence, both real and fictional, as a species-wide addiction—one that can't easily be broken. It claims to be a faith-based movie when it is really not. "Hacksaw Ridge" seems to know that its hero is better than anyone around him, perhaps better than the movie that tells his story. The second half is set during the Battle of Okinawa, where Doss, who described himself as a "conscientious collaborator" rather than objector, rescued 75 fellow infantrymen injured by the Japanese; it feels like an attempt to one-up the D-Day sequence in "Saving Private Ryan," and if sheer bloody explosive nastiness were the only measure, you'd have to declare "Hacksaw Ridge" the winner. The hero's pacifism seems as much a rejection of his dad's angry brokenness and inability to control his temper as a reaction to almost killing his brother in a childhood scuffle. This comes through strongly in the relationship between Doss and fellow infantryman Smitty (Luke Bracey), a far more convincing love story than the one between Doss and his gal. It features Mel Gibson as director for the first time since his 2006 film Apocalypto. The news footage and interviews of his life post-war reveal how he and everyone he touched lived greater because of his strength of character (Story Judgment of Good* & Main Character Resolve of Steadfast*). Hacksaw Ridge is a historical war drama; it was set in WW2 and its shows the battle at Okinawa, which was one of the bloodiest battles in the war. War is Hell and the relentless pursuit of victory is all that matters (Objective Story Problem of Pursuit*). A moving and emotional film that effectively convinces us of the importance of staying true to one's convictions. Hacksaw Ridge Film Analysis. Howell (Vince Vaughn), and Captain Glover (Sam Worthington) dismiss Doss as a joke in their attempts to defeat the Japanese empire by securing Hacksaw Ridge--a deadly and doomed battlefield on the island of Okinawa (Objective Story Throughline of Activity*). Holding true to the Christian commandment “thou shalt not kill,” Doss was a conscientious objector, and despite some initial friction, is eventually allowed to step into battle without a weapon. The film's own contradictions are embodied in Doss' dad. The music for 'Hacksaw Ridge' is composed by Rupert Gregson-Williams (brother of acclaimed composer Harry Gregson-Williams, and a member of Hans Zimmer's team of composers). It is well acted and generally tells a fascinating story. "Hacksaw Ridge" seems to know that its hero is better than anyone around him, perhaps better than the movie that tells his story. The wide shots of corpses piled up, the shots of Doss posed like Christ or lit by heavenly sunlight streaming through windows, and the moments when Doss treats enemy soldiers with compassion, are a lot more on-message. You feel the movie fighting to suppress its urge to glorify violence and treat the Japanese as sinister hordes. But it's also one of the few original action movies released in the last decade, and one of the only studio releases this year that could sincerely be described as a religious picture. Featured on Meta Goodbye, Prettify. Hal Doss. Hello highlight.js! They don't want to break or kill Doss, just drive him from their sight, perhaps so they won't have to second-guess themselves each time they lay eyes on him. Hacksaw Ridge Synopsis: The true story of Desmond T. Doss, the conscientious objector who, at the Battle of Okinawa, won the Medal of Honor for his incredible bravery and regard for his fellow soldiers. Garfield's performance humanizes him.