Hacksaw Ridge
Summit Entertainment | Release Date: November 4, 2016
8.2
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Universal acclaim based on 839 Ratings
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9
CalumRhysUKApr 9, 2017
With its late release over here in England, by the time the film was released, it had already come to prominence with overwhelming reviews and 6 Oscar nominations to its name, so I entered with relatively high expectations, which I generallyWith its late release over here in England, by the time the film was released, it had already come to prominence with overwhelming reviews and 6 Oscar nominations to its name, so I entered with relatively high expectations, which I generally find to be a bad call as you tend to be let down, however Gibson's first directorial effort in a decade, 'Hacksaw Ridge', is a raw and emotional gut punch.

With the history of cinema being littered with the production of World War II films, primarily in the form of over-the-top propaganda pictures such as Saving Private Ryan (which nonetheless I still love), it's nice to see a movie that delves down the path of anti- war and focuses on the true-life tale of an uncaped superhero over fictional splendour, and 'Hacksaw Ridge' is just that. The film starts with rather over-sentimental, soap opera style tendencies which are occasionally funny to watch, but nonetheless they are perfect at delivering character development to our front-running hero Desmond Doss. I was initially expecting a 'Pearl Harbor' approach, with over an hour of lovey-dovey sentimental crap followed by under-accomplished action, but it was quite the opposite. The opening features the stated character development drama, but gives us an insight into Doss's personal reasons for his faith and religious approaches, then thrusts us into war.

Now, the war scenes... well, let's just say they're some scenes I doubt I'll be forgetting anytime soon. They're epic, they're visceral, they're emotional, they're gory, but above all else, they are executed perfectly. Upon reaching the top of the Maeda Escarpment, nicknamed "Hacksaw Ridge", the squad are instantly driven into the horrors of war, the loss of friends and hope. The raw and visceral images are maybe even a little too realistic. Dead bodies are strewn across the ground, innards and entrails litter the floor, smoke and fire choke the landscape. This is war.

'Hacksaw Ridge' is a hard-hitting film that if watched and truly understood, will be an unforgettable experience, and the concluding interviews with the real-life Doss add to the emotional core. The cinematography is stunning, the music is beautifully alluring and the performances, especially from Andrew Garfield, are beyond fantastic, Garfield completely embodies the persona of Doss with sheer accuracy. Further shoutouts to Hugo Weaving, Sam Worthington and the surprisingly brilliant Vince Vaughn. This is, in my opinion, one of the greatest films to have graced 2016... or 2017 here in the UK! We forgive you Gibson!… Expand
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9
pphamNov 19, 2017
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Spoiler alert!!!!!

This was an amazing film. it is full action. i hughly recommend. it would be a 10/10 if at the end Desmond could go back and see dorothy and smash becausse it is his happy ever after, to go home to his wife/fiance and go to town, or at least go back to see her and his family… Expand
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7
amheretojudgeJan 16, 2018
help me get one more..

Hacksaw Ridge Unlike any other biography, it doesn't waste any time on showing different episodes of the lead character's life. The whole "Hacksaw Ridge" incident is a build up of the movie which is not only dreadfulhelp me get one more..

Hacksaw Ridge

Unlike any other biography, it doesn't waste any time on showing different episodes of the lead character's life. The whole "Hacksaw Ridge" incident is a build up of the movie which is not only dreadful but also well detailed; the execution is spectacular.… Expand
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9
d0vla11Aug 12, 2018
Spectacular movie, one of the best WW2 movies ever created. Mel Gibson nailed it.
Andrew Garfield and Hugo Weaving gave their best performances ever in my opinion.

This movie is in rank with Saving Private Ryan. Highly recommending it!!!
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8
SoulWarfareSep 18, 2022
This movie is still incredibly enjoyable even after rewatching. It's genuinely impressive that this story is actually based on a real person!

The first act is a bit cliche and overly melodramatic. It has the really bland romance, the violentThis movie is still incredibly enjoyable even after rewatching. It's genuinely impressive that this story is actually based on a real person!

The first act is a bit cliche and overly melodramatic. It has the really bland romance, the violent drunk dad, the clumsy dialogue that you seen dozens of times. However, once you get to the second half with the military training is when the story really shines. The conflict between his morals of not wanting to hold a gun due to religious belief vs the army leads to some proper moving storytelling. All of this builds up to the final act, the war, and this is just absolutely exhilarating! The movie delivers on horrific and tense war scenes that blow a lot of other WWII movies out the water.

Mel Gibson delivered a phenomenal WWII movie with great battle scenes and Andrew Garfield gives a terrific performance as Desmond Doss. Hacksaw Ridge is still one of the must-watch WWII films.… Expand
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10
Max_SpideyJun 2, 2018
[PT-BR] Até o Último Homem é um baita filme, consegue passar toda a tensão que é momentos antes de entrar no campo de batalha, o medo de morrer que cada soldado tem, o filme mostra todo o cenário da guerra, com pessoas mortas por todos os[PT-BR] Até o Último Homem é um baita filme, consegue passar toda a tensão que é momentos antes de entrar no campo de batalha, o medo de morrer que cada soldado tem, o filme mostra todo o cenário da guerra, com pessoas mortas por todos os lados e vários ratos passando pelos corpos.O filme se baseia em uma história real de um soldado chamado Desmond Doss.
A atuação do Andrew é excelente nesse filme, pra quem não está lembrado ele interpretou Peter Parker/Homem Aranha nos dois filmes da franquia "O Espetacular Homem Aranha".
Enfim, recomendo muito esse filme.… Expand
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10
hornysoulSep 23, 2018
Um filme surpreendente e poderoso! Um ótimo retorno para Mel Gibson. "Hacksaw Ridge" apresenta-nos as melhores cenas de guerra já vistas no cinema. Eu, geralmente, odeio películas da Segunda Guerra Mundial, mas esta foi simplesmente maravilhosa.
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10
ManswerFeb 7, 2019
This My Favorite Movie Of All Time! It's Not Perfect But For The Most Part The Story Is Very Good The Performances Are Very Good And The Writing Is Overall Good. And Best Of All It Is Actually Based On A True Story. And A Very Good One At That.
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10
goncalocoutoOct 20, 2018
"Hacksaw Ridge" é um filme surpreendente e poderoso, que nos apresenta as melhores cenas de guerra já vistas no cinema.
10/10
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9
raaaaaaaaarterNov 14, 2018
Mel Gibson has directed some good movies, but I would have to say that this is his best. Andrew Garfield does a really good job of being a conscientious objector and Vince Vaughn was a pretty funny drill sergeant.
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8
JaysographyAug 28, 2019
As far as the movie adaptation of the life of a former soldier, I feel as though the director did what was necessary to bring his story to light; without turning the story into a blur of between fiction and reality. Now, the motion picture onAs far as the movie adaptation of the life of a former soldier, I feel as though the director did what was necessary to bring his story to light; without turning the story into a blur of between fiction and reality. Now, the motion picture on it's own however, I feel as though Andrew Garfield's performance could have been better, or for that matter much worse.… Expand
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8
PanzerStrike100Feb 2, 2019
I really liked this movie. You have to have respect for the people that risked their lives to help our country. i like the actor that played Doss. I also thought the girl in the movie was kind of cute. But the movie wasn't as bloody as peopleI really liked this movie. You have to have respect for the people that risked their lives to help our country. i like the actor that played Doss. I also thought the girl in the movie was kind of cute. But the movie wasn't as bloody as people said it was.… Expand
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9
o_retyOct 8, 2020
Honest hero story done with really good feeling and tact. As its both uplifting and treats God and pious people with respect - it's a rare treat. Another fine specimen among Mel Gibson's works.
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8
DawdlingPoetNov 20, 2021
This is a biographical drama film, with a historical element to it and obviously its mostly in a war based setting. It features themes including war combat and pacifism. The film starts out with a large battle underway, with action slowedThis is a biographical drama film, with a historical element to it and obviously its mostly in a war based setting. It features themes including war combat and pacifism. The film starts out with a large battle underway, with action slowed down, as if we're viewing a someone rewinding the memory of what happened. From there we see Desmonds life at key times and its made clear that he was a very caring and thoughtful person. I found the story quite interesting, not least due to it being a true story - I feel what he did was quite admirable. However, some of the scenes did seem perhaps a little overly sentimental, with Desmond seeming somewhat introverted and I thought he came across as a bit of Forrest Gump type character.

Suffice to say that if your hoping for a constant action packed, violence filled film then you may find the start a bit disappointing but I felt it was important to build up a decent picture of Desmond's life, his background/upbringing and so on. It is definitely a biographical drama film rather than an action adventure film or otherwise. Plot wise it is quite slow, as I say but it does well at portraying a reasonably clear picture of what Desmond was like and how people viewed him etc. Endurance is a key word I'd use in relation to this film, as we see both Desmond and others he trained alongside being pushed to cope with a variety of gruelling situations. Surprisingly, I found there to be some semi amusing moments present at times, although obviously not during the more grim war scenes but moreso in terms of what people say to him. I won't say any more as far as the plot is concerned so as not to provide potential spoilers but I felt what I said to be necessary to give people a rough idea of the sort of film it is, if that makes any sense. I should add that there is quite a lot of war battle footage but it is almost all in the second half of the film, over an hour in to the films running time.

I found it to be quite a thought provoking watch, with some quite poignant and sometimes sobering pieces of dialogue. It certainly highlighted the culture of his time, not that that was especially surprising or hard to believe, sadly. It is quite a 'Hollywood' film in that it features scenes with some mildly melodramatic, orchestral style music and the like. Cast wise, Desmond Doss is played by Andrew Garfield, who gives a great performance as a moral, well meaning person who has their trials and tribulations. Meanwhile, Vince Vaughn plays Sergeant Howell, who trains him and other recruits and who definitely shows a nasty and slightly terrifyingly strict side to himself. The younger, childhood Desmond Doss is played by Darcy Bryce, a very genuine seeming young boy and his brother, Harold (aka Hal) is played by Roman Guerriero. While as an adult, Harold is played by Nathaniel Buzolic. Desmonds father, Tom Doss, is played by Hugo Weaving, while his mother, Bertha, is played by Rachel Griffiths. I felt the cast did a very good job in their roles - I didn't notice any particular issues as far as the performances were concerned.

Content wise, the film contains very bloody and strong violence of course, including many instances of severely injured soldiers shown left on the ground and so on. It features a fair number of obviously war based battle scenes, so it would help to have a relatively strong stomach to watch this, although as I say the majority of the first half of the film doesn't centre on war battle scenes but when they do appear, they don't censor much. There are non-war related scenes depicting violence but their, of course, not as extreme, although they may still be a bit upsetting never the less. There are frequent uses of moderately to strong language used, including racial slurs (towards Japanese soldiers, their enemies). The film is quite dark and grim during the latter war battlefront scenes and so it could be relatively frightening and disturbing to younger viewers, in terms of the themes and context of the plot. The film has been given a 15 rating in the UK to reflect said content.

I noticed some (what I felt were) very good instances of camera angles used to give the viewer an idea of how disorientating it surely must have been to have been in the middle of such a large and wide battle, with so much going on at any one time. I thought that generally the cinematography was quite commendable.

Its very much a symbolic story and the fact its based on a true story made it all the more sobering and I very much respected Desmond for his stance on things, for what he did. It is a hard watch at times of course but I feel it tells an important story and so it is certainly a worthy watch.

I'd recommend this film, as long as you have a strong stomach and can handle long drawn out battle scenes. Featuring a good cast, its based on a fascinating true story and its a thoughtful watch. It's not all about the bloody violence and nothing else, which I see as a good thing.… Expand
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10
MattKingsburyJun 8, 2020
An incredibly well crafted World War 2 film, Andrew Garfield's stunning performance really brings to life this character that you cannot help but root for. The film is perfectly paced with a fantastic balance os tension and relief. A must seeAn incredibly well crafted World War 2 film, Andrew Garfield's stunning performance really brings to life this character that you cannot help but root for. The film is perfectly paced with a fantastic balance os tension and relief. A must see - not only for war movie lovers, but for everyone.… Expand
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8
zklJun 20, 2020
A great movie about how a man sticks to his morals and tries his best to not deviate from them. Really touching and inspirational, an immersive experience full of heart.
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10
Jesus_SavesJan 29, 2023
A great movie that highlights the true story of Desmond Doss, a hero who saved countless people in the war. I am glad that this story was made and Andrew Garfield, a great actor, was able to portray Doss.
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7
JJ2FAS4UDec 30, 2021
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9
Benperez22Feb 7, 2023
A film with good intentions that succeeds in its aim to showcase the prowess and humbleness of a hero in one of the darkest times in the history of our world. Andrew Garfield again does a fantastic job in this role as the innocent andA film with good intentions that succeeds in its aim to showcase the prowess and humbleness of a hero in one of the darkest times in the history of our world. Andrew Garfield again does a fantastic job in this role as the innocent and dedicated young Desmond Doss, with Teresa Palmer taking lines of dialogue that could easily be turned into something unbearingly cheesy but making it sweet. With battle sequences made to turn the stomach, this film takes a blend of darkness and the brutality of war, not shying away from the darkness so that the light of this film may shine, hopefully, to inspire a fascinating remembrance of this incredible true story. 9.4 out of 10… Expand
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10
The_D4RknesSOct 16, 2022
best war movie I've ever watched and best of all and that spider man is in the middle of war as a doctor
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9
duda1234Nov 8, 2022
este é um daqueles filmes que te faz voltar a ter esperança na humanidade.
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10
omotestGumpMay 4, 2023
Hacksaw Ridge was directed by Mel Gibson (Braveheart, The Passion of Christ) and received six Academy Award nominations and two Oscar statues.

The film is relatively humorous and easy to watch among war movies. The film may be viewed with aHacksaw Ridge was directed by Mel Gibson (Braveheart, The Passion of Christ) and received six Academy Award nominations and two Oscar statues.

The film is relatively humorous and easy to watch among war movies. The film may be viewed with a certain degree of lightheartedness because the main character is a conscientious objector. Although there are many violent expressions in the film, the main characters do not die tragically, and it is not that scary.

This film is not like Private Ryan, which created a great drama and rewrote it. The gunless protagonist is said to be stupid throughout the film, but his later exploits are predictable. This film may be as silly as people say, but at least I enjoyed it.

I was able to see it as a drama and not as a war movie. Usually love scenes are a waste of time for a war movie, but in this film they are well put together. It may be silly, but the script is well structured and the main character is likable, a great film in my opinion.… Expand
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10
RefinedInsightsAug 16, 2023
A fantastic movie, one of the best from 2016. I wasn't a big fan of Andrew Garfield's spiderman but he really did a phenomenal job in this movie. The fact that it was based on a true story made it even better. Vince Vaughn was also very good.A fantastic movie, one of the best from 2016. I wasn't a big fan of Andrew Garfield's spiderman but he really did a phenomenal job in this movie. The fact that it was based on a true story made it even better. Vince Vaughn was also very good. Overall I would say this one is a classic that deserves to be watched over and over again.… Expand
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