Directed by Mel Gibson, the beautifully created Hacksaw Ridge movie was everything one would expect from a based on a true story war movie: drama, romance, and of course, war.

The movie focuses on the WWII Army Medic Desmond Doss, played by Andrew Garfield, and refuses to touch a weapon.

The movie begins with a flashback to Doss’ childhood which reveals one of the reasons behind his conscientious way of life.

After the flashback, the film moves into Doss’ current life where he meets his soon-to-be love of his life Dorothy Schutte, who is played by Teresa Palmer, in a hospital when he goes to give blood.

Shortly after, Doss joins the army because he does not feel right watching his friends and family go and fight for him.

Doss signs up as a medic due to his beliefs and goes through several trials during his training.  He is hated by his fellow soldiers, officers, and generals because they feel as though he is a useless asset to the United States Army since he will not pick up a gun.

Eventually, a weekend break from training approaches and Doss faces a conflict – pass rifle training or miss his wedding and get placed in prison.  Doss refuses to pick up the weapon and gets put into the prison.

During this time, Doss’ father fights for his release and reconnects with his formal general from WWI who helps him get Doss released saying that holding him because he will not touch a gun is against his rights.

The court allows Doss to go, telling him that he has every right to go into battle without one weapon to protect him.

On the front lines of Okinawa, Doss single-handedly saved the wounded from behind enemy lines under fire.  Doss also gets wounded from enemy fire and a grenade but viewers will never forget the words Doss kept mumbling to himself, “Lord, help me get one more,” as he pulled people from the rubble.

The end of the film shows in-person interviews with the real-life people the film was based off of and gives the facts that made the film especially touching.  Doss was the first conscientious objector to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Overall, the film touches upon the violence of war as well as friendships, relationships, and how different the time from then and now.

Hacksaw Ridge gets its R-rating from the realistic war violence and grisly images seen throughout the film.

The reviews for Hacksaw Ridge are generally positive and received at 86% on Rotten Tomatoes with a 95% audience satisfaction rating.  The film also made a little over $15 million in less than two weeks.

I give the film a 9/10 rating; I was on the edge of my seat for most of the movie and the plot was intriguing and well put together, there was never a dull moment.  I highly recommend the film.