It made me tremble and weep for an hour.

Rating: Null/10 (1 December 2016)

This film tells the story of a man who is against killing people, even in the act of war. Yet his sense of patriotism and responsibility causes him to enlist. He insists on not touching any weapons, despite direct orders from seniors and even when he is face to face with enemies on the bloody battlefield.
I have heard good things about "Hacksaw Ridge", but nothing prepared me for such a powerful and touching experience. Initially, I find Andrew Garfield's innocent and even goofy smiles annoying. I kept wondering why cast someone in a heroic role when he does not look like the typical hero. His constant smiles made me wonder if he took anything seriously. Yet, over the course of the film, I have learned that he is just the most courageous and loving person anyone could hope to find on the battlefield. His selfless acts even in the most adverse conditions are beyond words. His heroic acts radiates throughout the second half of the film. Just like his fellow soldiers, I judged him too early.
I checked the time twice in the cinema, not because of impatience, but because I wondered how much screen time there was left. The film was so powerful that tears kept falling for an hour. My body trembled uncontrollably, and I just didn't think I could take the heavy scenes anymore.
I remember the first fifteen minutes of "Saving Private Ryan". The scene is now famous for being super gory and highly touching, that made it an effective anti-war message. In "Hacksaw Ridge", the battle scene lasted for an hour, and every minute of it is as intense as the most famous war films. There have been so many minutes in the battle scenes that I just could not open my eyes. Just listening to the men screaming, shells exploding and guns firing was already enough to make my body and mind completely entrapped in the soldier's hell. Tears kept falling, and every part of me hoped for a relatively good outcome for the soldiers.
"Hacksaw Ridge" is such an intense film. Every bit of it is superb. Even little things like the placement of bullet shells in the battlefield, and the final scene of Doss being lifted down tell stories that are not told in words. The very final scenes of the interviews with the survivors are very touching as well. To hear Doss recount his own experiences on the battlefield is certainly very effective and fascinating.
This film is profoundly effective and emotional. Tears keep falling from my eyes. Even on the way home, as soon as I thought about the scene where all soldiers look to one side before going back up to the Ridge was enough to set my tears off again. Doss was such a valiant hero, he meant so much to the soldiers. Not only did Doss saved their lives, he saved the soldiers' morale as well.
It is rare that I feel so much emotions during and after a film. It made me tremble and weep for an hour. "Hacksaw Ridge" is truly superb.