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Hacksaw Ridge – the war epic with a conscience
Other | Thursday 16th February 2017 | Jenny Desborough
War films tend to be those that fun-lovers and dreamers tend to shy away from – there’s blood and guts and shouting and death – which tends to be things many 21st century young people aren’t too excited to watch on a big screen.
But in this time where everyday presents a new insanity on the news, whether it’s political differences, alternative facts or outright conflict. We need to see something that shines a light on dark situations, and that my friends is Hacksaw Ridge.
Starring Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spiderman), Vince Vaughan (Wedding Crashers) and Sam Worthington (Avatar). Hacksaw Ridge follows Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector in WW2. Translation: he is a man that because of religious beliefs and his past experiences, he will not carry a gun into battle.
Based on a true story, Desmond Doss not only refused to take a life, but decided his purpose was to save it. He went out into battle and after his troops headed back to camp following a brutal ambush from Japanese soldiers, he went out into the night to find survivors.
He singlehandedly saved 75 survivors, lowering them down the ridge using ropes before running back to find another. He even saved soldiers from the opposition, whispering a simple prayer: “Just give me one more.”
The film has its share of bloody scenes and is certainly not one for the faint-hearted. But mixed together with the violence is love. We see Desmond meet his wife, visiting her at work every day until she agrees to a date. We see his army colleagues doubt him to the point of bullying and beating him up in the barracks, before realising his worth and loving him like a brother.
If the lights are looking a little dim these days, take a trip to the movies for one hell of boost!
