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Hacksaw Ridge

Hacksaw Ridge is a 2016 biographical war drama film directed by Mel Gibson and written by Robert Schenkkan and Andrew Knight.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Hacksaw Ridge is a 2016 biographical war drama film directed by Mel Gibson and written by Robert Schenkkan and Andrew Knight. It stars Andrew Garfield as Desmond Doss, a real-life U.S. Army medic and conscientious objector who served in World War II without carrying a weapon. The film depicts Doss’s service during the Battle of Okinawa and his receipt of the Medal of Honor.

Premise

Hacksaw Ridge dramatizes the wartime service of Desmond Doss, who refused to carry a firearm because of his religious convictions. The story centers on his work as an Army medic and his actions during the Battle of Okinawa.

Production

The film was directed by Mel Gibson and written by Robert Schenkkan and Andrew Knight. It adapts the true story of Doss for the screen, with Andrew Garfield in the lead role.

Release and reception

Hacksaw Ridge was released in 2016 and drew strong attention for its intense battle scenes and historical subject matter. It was widely discussed in awards coverage and film criticism.

Historical basis

The central figure, Desmond Doss, was a real U.S. Army medic and conscientious objector. He is credited with saving many soldiers during the Battle of Okinawa and later receiving the Medal of Honor.

Key facts

  • The film is based on the true story of Desmond Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist who served as a combat medic without carrying a weapon.
  • It focuses on Doss’s experiences during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II.
  • Andrew Garfield portrays Doss, with supporting roles from Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, and Vince Vaughn.
  • The movie was directed by Mel Gibson, marking his first film as director in about a decade.
  • Doss became the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor.
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Canadian context

The film aired on Canadian media platforms and was covered by CBC, reflecting Canadian interest in World War II history, war films, and awards-season cinema.

Frequently asked questions

What is Hacksaw Ridge about?
It tells the story of Desmond Doss, a World War II Army medic who refused to carry a weapon but served in combat and helped save soldiers during the Battle of Okinawa.
Who directed Hacksaw Ridge?
Mel Gibson directed the film.
Who plays Desmond Doss?
Andrew Garfield plays Desmond Doss.
Is Hacksaw Ridge based on a true story?
Yes. It is based on the life and wartime service of Desmond Doss.
When was Hacksaw Ridge released?
It was released in the United States on November 4, 2016.

References

  1. Collider — https://collider.com/hacksaw-ridge-things-to-know/
    Supports: Director, screenplay writers, and the film's basis in Desmond Doss's true story.
  2. We Live Entertainment — https://weliveentertainment.com/welivefilm/15-facts-cast-crew-hacksaw-ridge/
    Supports: Biographical war film description, Andrew Garfield as Desmond Doss, and release date.
  3. CBC — https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/blog/oscars-5-things-you-didn-t-know-about-hacksaw-ridge-1.3994931
    Supports: Awards coverage and identification of the film as a World War II biopic about Desmond Doss.
  4. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacksaw_Ridge
    Supports: Director, writers, cast, release date, genre, runtime, and general film overview.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hacksaw_ridge
    Supports: Plot synopsis, genre, release date, runtime, and reception notes.