A True Story Not Varnished

Rating: 8/10 (23 July 2017)

Mel Gibson's 7th directing effort in film is a very serious solid dramatic effort. The film is everything the true story and title implies. The battle for Okinawa was one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific (most the campaign was pretty bloody) as the Japanese considered Okinawa as a home Island and fought furiously to defend it. Hackshaw Ridge was shown as a ridge with a massive complex of tunnels the defending troops would stay in until American Troops were trying to take the ridge. Then they would come out and suicide attack the Marines.
Desmond Doss (played by former Spiderman Andrew Garfield) true story deserves to be shared. Amazingly, 2 script writers wrote this true story script to film without the benefits of basing it on any novel. The facts of the story are amazing in themselves. Doss's father, a World War 1 vet does not want his son to go to war. His son enlists after Pearl Harbor but only as a Medic. Still, Dad is not happy. When his son is on trial in court for not willing to train with a rifle, Dad shows up in uniform in court. It is an important true story within the story. Vince Vaughn is very effective as Sgt Howell in training camp and on Okinawa.
This is a very serious film with few light moments (naked man in boot camp). It is told pretty much straight forward from Doss childhood after the opening battle credits. The facts stated at the end of the film are amazing. The biggest won, Doss Medal of Honor for saving 75 men in the unit from Hackshaw Ridge. It is hard to tell if it is totally like it really happened but it is well told. The drama is solid, and worthwhile.