The 2016 Academy Award-winning film Hacksaw Ridge, directed by Mel Gibson, is a true story of the events that took place during World War II in occupied Buna-Gona, Papua New Guinea. Hacksaw Ridge received many awards including Best Picture and Best Director at the Oscars.
This film is based on the true story of Desmond Doss who was the first conscientious objector to win the Congressional Medal of Honor since World War I. This is a story of a very ordinary man who changed the world by proving that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.
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Movie Meaning of Hacksaw Ridge
The film follows Desmond Doss, a young American Millennial who volunteers to fight in World War II as a medic. At the age of 19, Doss is the youngest man ever to be accepted into the Army Medical Corps and is assigned to service on Hacksaw Ridge, an isolated Pacific island outpost defended by undermanned and poorly equipped troops.
Over the course of six months, Doss does whatever he can to help his fellow soldiers survive, no matter the cost to himself.
The film climaxes with Doss’s heroic act of saving five fellow soldiers during a Japanese surprise attack. Despite his injuries, Doss returns to Hacksaw Ridge multiple times over the course of the next year to help further defend his unit against overwhelming odds.
Ultimately, he is awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery and selfless commitment to duty.
Hacksaw Ridge- What Is Up With the Ending?
Hacksaw Ridge is very complex and spiritual. At its core, the film is a story about human courage and bravery. Desmond Doss was a 19-year-old teenager when he volunteered to fight in World War II, making him one of the youngest people ever to join the Army Medical Corps. Despite his youth, Doss quickly demonstrated extraordinary bravery by helping save the lives of his fellow soldiers on Hacksaw Ridge. This heroic act changed not
only his own life, but the lives of all those around him. The film ends with Doss being awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, an award given to only a very few people every year. While some might see the ending as predictable or plain old cheesy, for me it was essential to illustrating just how extraordinary Desmond Doss truly was.
Key Characters of Hacksaw Ridge
Desmond T. Doss
Doss was only a teenager when he volunteered to join the Army Medical Corps and fight in World War II. Despite his youth, within moments of joining the battle he was risking his life to save comrades on Hacksaw Ridge.
Over the course of six months, Doss does whatever he can to help save his fellow soldiers- even though this often risks him own safety. Ultimately, Doss is awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery and commitment to duty.
Dorothy Schutte
Schutte is a nurse who volunteers to accompany the soldiers on Hacksaw Ridge. Over the course of six months, she does whatever she can to help them, from providing medical support to soothing their fears. Schutte becomes good friends with Doss and remains by his side during his Congressional Medal of Honor ceremony.
Harvey Beacham
Beacham is an officer in charge of defending Hacksaw Ridge. He quickly realizes that Doss is a brave and capable soldier, and goes out of his way to help him. Beacham helps Doss get the Medal of Honor, and later becomes one of his unofficial advisers.
Sergeant Howell
Howell is a squad leader on Hacksaw Ridge. He quickly notices Doss’s bravery and skills, and takes charge of training him to be an effective combat medic. Doss becomes closely associated with Howell over the course of the battle, and eventually adopts him as his own son.
Smitty Ryker
Ryker is a sergeant in the Army who volunteers to serve on Hacksaw Ridge. He’s cynical and resistant to most military orders, but he quickly realizes that Doss is something special. Ryker becomes one of Doss’ strongest advocates, convincing higher-ups to give him the Medal of Honor.
Jesse Ketchum
Ketchum is a rookie soldier on Hacksaw Ridge. He’s initially intimidated by Doss, but quickly realizes that he’s one of the most courageous and skilled soldiers he’s ever seen. Ketchum becomes protective of Doss, helping him to navigate the dangerous battlefields.
Tom Doss
Doss is a wounded soldier on Hacksaw Ridge. He’s initially unafraid and careless, but gradually learns to trust his instincts and rely on his bravery. Doss eventually comes to see himself as part of the team, fighting alongside his friends in order to protect their homeland.
Captain Glover
Glover is the battalion commander on Hacksaw Ridge. He quickly recognizes Doss’s bravery and skills, and orders his men to protect him at all costs. Glover later promotes Doss to sergeant for his valor on the battlefield.
Beacham
Beacham is a volunteer soldier who helps Doss obtain the Medal of Honor. He’s initially skeptical of Doss’s claim, but eventually comes to believe in his courage and skills. Beacham later becomes one of Doss’ unofficial advisers.
Bertha Doss
Bertha is an elderly widow who lives on Hacksaw Ridge with her son, Tom. She quickly comes to trust Doss, recognizing his bravery and skills. Bertha later helps him obtain the Medal of Honor.
Lucky Ford
Ford is a black soldier on Hacksaw Ridge. He’s initially discriminated against by his white colleagues, but eventually comes to see himself as part of the team. Ford helps Doss navigate the dangerous battlefields, and remains loyal to him throughout the war.
Doris Miller
Miller is a nurse on Hacksaw Ridge who treats Doss and his fellow soldiers. She’s initially resistant to civilian interference in military matters, but she eventually comes to understand Doss’s bravery and skills. Miller later helps him obtain the Medal of Honor.
Important events of Hacksaw Ridge
Battle of Okinawa
The battle of Okinawa was the first of three major battles fought by the Korean people against American forces during world war ii. The battle took place on June 22, 1945 in Okinawa island between fifty thousand and eighty-seven thousand allied American soldiers (including marine corps) and sixty to seventy thousand Korean soldiers (plus two hundred naval personnel).
It is known as one of the bloodiest battles ever in cost of U.S army casualties were approximately twelve thousand killed, wounded and missing in action.
The Battle of Okinawa is the first time in which Pvt. 1st Class Desmond Tarrant Doss has ever been in combat, and his bravery impresses superior officers so much that he is recommended for the Medal of Honor, an honor that has never been given to a conscientious objector before him.
Enlisting in 1942 at age 19, Doss had steadfastly refused to carry a gun or fight in any war, citing his religious beliefs. Pvt. 1st Class Desmond Tarrant Doss was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Battle of Okinawa on June 22, 1945.
He was a medical corpsman serving with the first Marine Division on Okinawa during World War II. Refusing to bear arms, Doss braved enemy fire while single-handedly tending to the wounded under intense sniper and mortar attack.
By his courage, superb medical skills and selflessness in moments of great peril, he saved many lives and was critically instrumental in the Division’s successful defense of Okinawa.
Thoughts on Hacksaw Ridge
Hacksaw Ridge is a gripping and accurate portrayal of life during World War II, particularly the Battle of Okinawa. Though fictionalized in places, it makes for an engaging and tragic story that brings to life the incredible bravery displayed by Desmond Tarrant Doss.
His principled stand against taking part in war is truly inspirational, and his selfless actions saved countless lives during one of history’s bloodiest battles.
Hacksaw Ridge- Ending Explained
WWII was a time of great conflict, with millions dying as a result. The Battle of Okinawa is perhaps the most well-known and bloodiest battle of the war, taking place over several days in June 1945.
As part of the Allied forces, around fifty thousand American soldiers fought alongside two hundred naval personnel against sixty to seventy thousand Korean soldiers. Despite tough resistance from the enemy, U.S casualties amounted to just twelve thousand killed, wounded, or missing – a fraction of the total number of troops involved.
Although deeply religious, Pvt. 1st Class Desmond Tarrant Doss refused to fight in any war due to his beliefs as a conscientious objector. Despite this, he was incredibly brave during the Battle of Okinawa and saved countless lives by tending to the wounded under intense fire. On June 22nd, 1945 he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.
Conclusion
Hacksaw Ridge is an excellent and gripping WWII drama that vividly portrays the bravery of Desmond Tarrant Doss. His refusal to fight in war despite having a duty to do so was deeply principled, and his selfless actions saved countless lives during one of history’s bloodiest battles.
Thank you for reading! I hope that this article has provided a comprehensive overview of the historical context and significance of Hacksaw Ridge. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below.
FAQs
Is Hacksaw Ridge a True Story?
Yes, Hacksaw Ridge is a true story. And the movie is based on the true story of Desmond Doss, an American medic who served in WWII despite being a pacifist.
Did Desmond Doss Really Save a Japanese Soldier?
There is some debate about whether or not Desmond Doss actually saved a Japanese soldier. While he did come across several Japanese soldiers on the battlefield, it’s unknown if he ever actually saved one of them.
Did Desmond Doss Hit His Brother?
There is no evidence to support the claim that Desmond Doss hit his brother on the battlefield. But some allegations suggest that he did not always show the highest regard for his fellow soldiers, which may have led to some tension on the battlefield.
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