A little lower on the list of outstanding war dramas, but equally exhilarating as many of the popular ones; Hacksaw Ridge is one of the many films that moves people to pause and wonder…that ‘HOLY HELL’ especially when it is accounted for by real life experiences of very real people. Set during World War II, the film depicts the true story of Pfc. Desmond T. Doss who went out to be the first person in American history to win the Congressional Medal of Honor for his great acts of bravery and selflessness even despite not firing a single shot on the battlefield.
Released in 2016, the movie portrays a stellar cast and amazing performances overall by all the actors and especially Andrew Garfield (Desmond T. Doss) who was out there to steal hearts all over again. Also just in time for the ‘Andrew Garfield Renaissance Period’ with the release of ‘No Way Home’ and ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ this makes up for a perfect weekend watch. Known to receive high praise for its riveting soundtrack and winner of an Academy Award (two overall) in the related categories as well (best sound mixing and best film editing) and several other awards this movie is highly acclaimed by the critics as well as the audiences.
The soundtrack is something that’s bound to snag you from the beginning and will carry you high on clouds till the very end. The music takes you through the lanes of Desmond’s life as if you were really there: his struggles, his principles, his first love, and everything basically. The movie begins with young Desmond fighting with his brother and accidentally hurting him harshly enough that might’ve killed him, which probably steps up to become an important landmark in his life which leads to establish his aversion to violence of any kind. Later on he meets Dorothy (Teresa palmer), a nurse and later on Desmond’s wife and an inspiring supporter of his beliefs and choices.
Swept up in the youthful frenzy of getting drafted for the war and serving the country, Desmond registers himself despite his father (a war veteran himself) wishing otherwise. But he swears to not even touch any firearm (let alone fire one) and aspires to be a combat medic, hoping that among the carnage of battlefield he’ll be saving lives instead of taking them. He obtains the title of a ‘conscientious objector’ and is frowned upon by his trainers and fellow comrades for his pacifist stance towards war, and is also tortured with more physically laboring training and was even beat up by his colleagues so that he’ll be driven to give up and leave by himself.
But all the obstacles that come his way fail to falter his determination and at the end, and he goes to war after all. And with his selfless bravery and great courage he saves over 75 lives – without lifting a single firearm and thus, without taking even a single shot. All of this led him to earn great honor and respect not only among his battalion but by the American government as well. The breathtaking plot accompanied with equally enriching soundtrack delivers a fulfilling performance that can be counted upon for leaving its audiences completely astonished.
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