Hacksaw Ridge, the real life "Captain America".

Rating: 9/10 (27 January 2017)

This Oscar contender is a film based on fact, directed by Mel Gibson.
The story is of optimism and of the strength of the human spirit.
Andrew Garfield plays the wartime hero Desmond Doss. Although he was a contentious objector, he also wanted to serve his country and to save lives, and so joined the military to become a field medic. The first half of the film explores his childhood and family dynamics. The 16 year flashback explain where his strict religious beliefs and attitude to (not) killing came from. Unfortunately his attitude were at odds with standard military protocol, and since he would not kill (he would not even touch a gun) this leads us into the second half of the film.
The second half describes how his attitude put him in conflict with his senior officers and the rest of the platoon, his basic training was particularly tough, with frequent beatings and a potential court martial. The second half also follows the intense war scenes at Hacksaw Ridge (Okinawa), this was particularly important since taking the Ridge could completely change the dynamics of WW2.
It's difficult to believe the film is a cert. 15, as the battle scenes are absolutely intense and brutal with bodies cut in half and legs blown apart. (Must have only just scrapped a 15).
Desmond Doss never fired a gun but is officially credited with saving 75 injured comrades single handedly, he never gave up on his faith or his beliefs.
Stay until the end credits to see a vintage interview with the actual Desmond Doss and other significant characters who were portrayed. Very highly recommended.