Mel Gibson’s new directorial effort Hacksaw Ridge is by far one of his most ambitious and surprising efforts in years. Not even his previous war film We Were Soldiers could reach the same heights as this; maybe because the subject matter is something more of a celebration of the true heroes of war, the Medics on the battlefield.
World War 2 Medic Private Desmond T. Doss, played absolutely brilliantly by Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spiderman) is the centerpiece of the film. We not only get a taste of how impressively Garfield’s acting chops are stretched through grindingly raw and emotional strength, but we can learn to love a usually hard-to-master Virginian accent without wanting to cringe.
This is the true story of Doss, who won the Congressional Medal of Honour despite refusing to bear arms during the entirety of WWII (even training) on religious grounds. It is an astounding story to tell, due to him never faltering from his faith and beliefs. Doss was drafted and ostracized by his fellow soldiers (he was beaten and belittled for most of his training), for his pacifist stance for most of his time with the company. That was until Okinawa.
The movie really doesn’t hold too many surprises in the form of the plot if you know about the battle of Okinawa, Japan, during the horrific times of the Pacific War of World War II. But what separates this war story from the norm are the heroics and bravery of Doss. When Doss and his company reach the shores of Okinawa and realise their orders are to climb to the top of Hacksaw Ridge, little do they know the horrors that await at its summit. Underground caves and tunnel systems the Japanese use to hide and ambush allied soldiers to force them back over the edge. Over 1500 men were killed on this cliff face alone. Doss, however, went on to earn respect and adoration for his bravery, selflessness and compassion after he risked his life without firing a single shot from a weapon and saving 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa.
If you’re an Atheist like me, some things may feel very heavy on the religious themes of the film, but they are never forced upon you and quite frankly are welcomed due to the very foundations of Doss and his character. I have witnessed a lot of religious people in my time taking the context of the bible and using it the wrong way, but Doss and his beliefs are so grounded and he sticks to every single one without sway, for that, I was proud to listen to everything the film and Doss had to say.
Other than Garfield, most of the cast does a fantastic job with their roles. It is so hard to fault anyone when there is so much passion in a project such as this. Highlights for me were Vince Vaughn playing bad-ass Sergeant Howle and seeing our very own Aussie’s Hugo Weaving (fingers crossed for Best Supporting Role Oscar), Rachel Griffiths and Ben Mingay (Packed to The Rafters, Home & Away) all play stand out characters. Even Sam Worthington does a fine job here among many other Aussies. This was actually filmed over 100 days in our very own backyard of NSW). Aalso see if you can catch Ryan Corr and Mel Gibson’s very own son Milo Gibson.
The music of the film is a true testament to how scoring a film should be done. How Rupert Gregson-Williams keeps such a booming score fairly low key throughout is fantastic and yet it whispers underneath key moments that are so subtle but leave an almost haunting effect.
The visual effects, camera-work and Cinematography by Simon Duggan (The Great Gatsby) in the film are another overwhelming achievement. I was prepared to go in for a Zack Snyder-esque nuance of over-the-top, slow motion madness and I am so glad I didn’t get it throughout the film; at least until it was welcomed towards the end with amazing effect during the final few moments of the siege.
This movie, if you’re like me, will have you running back to your Encyclopedias to research the amazing history behind the film, and if that is its only true legacy than it’s a damn good one.
Rumours are true, Mel Gibson is back and in fine form. It really is a feat in its own right with the troubled star’s recent bad past. With some great starring roles as of late, it is nice to see he hasn’t lost his touch behind the camera. Apart from one of my all-time favourite films The Water Diviner (Andrew Knight wrote the screenplay and does so again for Hacksaw Ridge), not since Gibson’s very own Braveheart and Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan have we witnessed the horror and beauty of war with such grandeur.
Review Score: FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Hacksaw Ridge is in cinemas now.
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