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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

Hacksaw Ridge

Hacksaw Ridge is a 2016 biographical war drama film directed by Mel Gibson and written by Robert Schenkkan and Andrew Knight.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Hacksaw Ridge is a 2016 biographical war drama directed by Mel Gibson. It tells the true story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who served as a medic in World War II without carrying a weapon.

What it is

The film dramatizes the wartime service of Desmond Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist who refused to carry a firearm due to his religious beliefs. It focuses on his actions during the Battle of Okinawa, where he saved many soldiers as a medic. Andrew Garfield stars as Doss, with a supporting cast including Sam Worthington and Luke Bracey.

Key details

Directed by Mel Gibson, marking his return to directing after a decade, the film was written by Robert Schenkkan and Andrew Knight. It was released in the United States on November 4, 2016, and runs 2 hours 19 minutes. The film received strong attention for its intense battle scenes and Garfield's performance.

Why it matters

Desmond Doss became the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor. The film highlights his courage and conviction, and it resonated with Canadian audiences through coverage on CBC and other platforms, reflecting interest in World War II history and awards-season cinema.

In short

  • Based on the true story of Desmond Doss
  • Directed by Mel Gibson
  • Andrew Garfield plays the lead role
  • Doss was a conscientious objector who saved lives without a weapon
Canadian angle

The film aired on Canadian media platforms and was covered by CBC, reflecting Canadian interest in World War II history, war films, and awards-season cinema.

Quick questions

What is Hacksaw Ridge about?
It tells the story of Desmond Doss, a World War II Army medic who refused to carry a weapon but served in combat and helped save soldiers during the Battle of Okinawa.
Who directed Hacksaw Ridge?
Mel Gibson directed the film.
Is Hacksaw Ridge based on a true story?
Yes. It is based on the life and wartime service of Desmond Doss.

Sources

  1. Collider — https://collider.com/hacksaw-ridge-things-to-know/
    Supports: Director, screenplay writers, and the film's basis in Desmond Doss's true story.
  2. We Live Entertainment — https://weliveentertainment.com/welivefilm/15-facts-cast-crew-hacksaw-ridge/
    Supports: Biographical war film description, Andrew Garfield as Desmond Doss, and release date.
  3. CBC — https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/blog/oscars-5-things-you-didn-t-know-about-hacksaw-ridge-1.3994931
    Supports: Awards coverage and identification of the film as a World War II biopic about Desmond Doss.
  4. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacksaw_Ridge
    Supports: Director, writers, cast, release date, genre, runtime, and general film overview.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hacksaw_ridge
    Supports: Plot synopsis, genre, release date, runtime, and reception notes.