HACKSAW RIDGE     3.5***

       This is a war movie that speaks to pacifists, the religious community and militarists, equally. It is a story of Desmond Doss (played brilliantly by Andrew Garfield of recent “Spider-Man” fame)who was a conscientious objector who served as  an Army medic in the bloody battle of Okinawa.

Private Doss was by his religion and personal convictions a conscientious objector who nonetheless wanted to serve his country in the military during the WWII.  But due to his  beliefs he refused to carry a gun and  became an army medic. His decision not to carry a gun, and the extreme lengths to which his army commanders tried to change his mind on this, make up a significant part of this movie. Thus about one-half of the film is spent at basic training and shows the attempts by the Army to break the resolve of Doss to not bear arms..  

In the last part of the film, we get to the battle of Okinawa and more specifically the bloody battle to take Hacksaw Ridge , and the incredible heroics of Corporal Doss as an unarmed medic in battle. Here’s where the movie dives deep into the horror of war. This film is directed by Mel Gibson who  likes to show graphic violence and human suffering ( as in his “Passion of Christ”). The bloodier the better. And this film sinks neck deep into blood and gore. There is extreme violence depicting war, the absolute worst of humanity. Some will find it disturbing. But it is justified by the history behind this story. But be prepared for  scene after scene of graphic mutilations, dismemberments, gore and corpses. The degree of violence can best be compared to “Saving Private Ryan” where there was similar realistic war violence. However, in this film it goes on much longer and more intensely.

This movie will stick with you. People say it's racist against Japanese. BUT that is how it was back then. People will say it's too violent. BUT that’s the reality of war. BUT it's also about the journey of a man who had his relationship with God, made a promise to God( to never hurt another person), and kept that promise. Doss prays "One more, God, let me get one more” (wounded man)" Hands almost destroyed from rope burns, exhausted, beaten, battered and himself wounded he keeps praying “One more, God, let me get one more."

Rated R for intense prolonged realistically graphic sequences of war violence including grisly bloody images. | 

Clark