Out does saving Private Ryan by being an understated true story

Rating: 9/10 (23 January 2017)

A lot of reviewers are critical comparing Hacksaw Ridge unfavorably to Saving Private Ryan. As if Hacksaw Ridge copied Spielberg's epic masterpiece. That somehow Saving Private Ryan is more 'authentic'.
First of: Saving Private Ryan is an 'instant' classic war film from a master film maker. However, it is a work of fiction, based on real events (the D-Day landings)
Hacksaw Ridge is A TRUE STORY. Not Hollywood BS 'Based on a true story' Hacksaw Ridge is a TRUE STORY (google Desmond Doss and look at clips on youtube e.g.after the war on TV show 'this is your life')
Others are criticizing of the film as unbelievable e.g. why didn't the Japanese cut the cargo nets up the cliffs?
Probably because they would get shot. Japanese tactics were defence in depth - cause maximum casualties on the attacking Americans. Again google it - the cargo net was therefor real. Not made up by Hollywood. Because this is a TRUE STORY. Moan over.
______________________________________________________________ Having just got home from the cinema i'm giving this a 9/10. Previously saving Private Ryan was my favourite war film, but now takes second place to Hacksaw Ridge.
A true story which, I was pleasantly surprised to discover, in many respects the film understates the heroism of Desmond Doss. Apparently Mel Gibson was concerned being totally accurate may make the film 'unbelievable' (despite being factual). Ironic, most film makers will depict nonsense and expect us to believe it. Gibson has to 'tone down' the facts to make it believable.
Doss is a conscientious objector, having grown up with an alcoholic father who beats his wife and the young Desmond and his brother. Doss deeply religious refuses to bear arms but wants to serve his country as a medic.
Despite efforts to make him quit the army (including beatings) and threatening a court martial for failing to obey orders (carry a rifle) and being derided as a coward. Doss does eventually make it to the blood bath that was Okinawa as a medic.
Historical background: American losses taking Okinawa were so severe that this played a part in the decision to use the atomic bomb rather than risk large scale casualties of invading mainland Japan.
Taking Okinawa Japan lost more than 77,000 soldiers and the Allies suffered more than 65,000 casualties—including 14,000 dead.
The battle scenes in Hacksaw Ridge are shockingly realistic and gory. Similar to those of the series 'War in the Pacific' . You really get the sense of close quarter 'meat grinder' combat hell.
Doss, through all the carnage, again and again, goes back to treat and retrieve wounded soldiers. Praying to God - "just one more" .
Doss himself estimated he saved fifty but other witnesses said more like one hundred men he saved. It was agreed to split the difference at seventy five.
Doss is wounded and sent home. Although his wounding and actions after being wounded are even more heroic that those depicted in the film.
This is a long film of some 139 minutes but I was enthralled throughout. The time past in an instant - a tribute to Gibson as a master story teller.
Highly recommended film - easily a classic cinematic masterpiece 9/10
p.s. Saving Private Ryan does not have copyright on incidents that are witnessed during intense large scale infantry combat.
E.g. Desperate soldiers arming mortars and lobbing them by hand. Soldiers getting near miss in helmet (then getting shot anyway). Incidents like this happened across the theatres of war. Not just in Saving Private Ryan. (A work of fiction that utilized many first hand combat accounts)