Christian film review: Analyzing Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Christian Film Review: Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
In 2016, Mel Gibson’s incredible historical drama, Hacksaw Ridge, debuted. Spoiler alert! This review shares information about the significant moments of the story. If you’d prefer, watch the film first and then read this to see if you agree with us. Here goes!
After promising God at an early age that he would never break the sixth commandment of taking the life of another, a humble country boy by the name of Doss enlists as an army medic in the Second World War and faces extreme institutionalization. Doss was harshly criticized, which can be seen throughout the plot—but he proves himself to be committed to his faith and saves the lives of numerous soldiers and leads the troops who won the battle of Okinawa.
Doss choosing his faith over the standards of society can first be seen when he was fist fighting his brother, Hal, in the front lawn. Doss then grabs a brick and hits Hal in the head, rendering him unconscious. Through this horrific event, Doss comes to understand the consequences of violent actions.
Another example of Doss going against the collective group occurs when he is beaten to a bloody pulp by his boot camp members in the middle of the night. The next morning, when the sergeant comes in to discharge Doss from duty, the young man puts on his army jacket and continues to train for war.
Later, Doss is imprisoned on the day of his graduation for not complying with the regulations of the U.S. Army. He is instructed to not fight the system, plead guilty to the charges, be dishonorably discharged, and go home—but Doss sticks to his guns (no pun intended). He pleads “not guilty” and, with the assistance of his father, goes to war.
In the middle of a warzone, Doss is told to use a gun while cramped in a bunker hole by a fellow soldier. As a demonstration of his faith, Doss instead runs through no man’s land, saving anyone who shouts for a medic. He even saved a few enemy soldiers. With each person Doss saves on the battlefield, he asks the Lord to, “Give me one more. Just one more person.”
Finally, Doss faces an extreme circumstance: when it’s time to return and take Hacksaw Ridge on Okinawa. By this point, though, Doss has proved himself to be a man of God and, from his selfless actions of saving those who were left behind in the dirt, the commanding officer tells both his troops and the lieutenant governor that they aren’t climbing the ridge until Doss is done praying.
Who Should Watch Hacksaw Ridge (2016)?
The young adult crowd should watch this film. I wouldn’t advise, though, that children be in the audience. Young adults may find an appreciation of historical events and be reminded of how vital faith truly can be during moments of crisis. This film will reinforce those who already have a strong understanding of faith and in turn can help those who are spiritually lost to discover a path. As the film demonstrates, miracles are produced when people of unwavering belief act in the Lord’s favor.
This film is rated R for severe violence/gore, and intense scenes.
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