Summary

• Real-life hero Desmond Doss saved 75 soldiers in WWII without firing a shot, as depicted in the 2016 biographical war film Hacksaw Ridge, directed by Mel Gibson.
• Despite some minor changes to the story, Hacksaw Ridge was praised by Doss's son for its historical accuracy.
• Andrew Garfield's role in the film helped grow his fame, earning him his first Academy Award nomination.

Although Andrew Garfield is arguably best known for playing Spider-Man, he also earned a well-deserved Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his performance as Desmond Doss in the 2016 biographical war film Hacksaw Ridge. Garfield is certainly no stranger to biographical dramas, from The Social Network to, most recently, Tick, Tick... Boom!

Directed by Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge is the true story of World War II hero Desmond Doss. The film also features Avatar star Sam Worthington and Vince Vaughn in supporting roles. Although it's a true story, many viewers may wonder how historically accurate Hacksaw Ridge is.

Updated by Jordan Iacobucci on May 5, 2024: Andrew Garfield has continued to grow in fame since his Academy Award-nominated turn in Hacksaw Ridge. Following a "surprise" return to his role as Peter Parker in 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home, Garfield is undoubtedly one of Hollywood's most highly sought-after actors today. Even so, audiences still can't quite get over his star-making turn as Desmond Doss, which may be more historically accurate than many viewers realize.

Hacksaw Ridge Is the True Story of Desmond Doss

Desmond Doss grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia, and was forever changed as a child when he nearly killed his brother after a playful brawl turned violent. As a Seventh-day Adventist, Doss vowed never to resort to violence, which made it complicated when he joined the United States Army to fight in World War II. After Doss arrived at basic training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, he quickly became a target among his fellow soldiers when he refused to carry a weapon. His commanders attempted to have Doss discharged from the military on the grounds of mental illness but ultimately failed.

Due to Doss' refusal to take up arms, many soldiers didn't trust him in the line of duty because he wouldn't be able to protect them without a weapon. Doss pursued the combat medic route in the 77th Infantry Division and was called to fight at the Battle of Okinawa at Maeda Escarpment. Also called Hacksaw Ridge, the escarpment included a 350-foot-high ridge that ran across the island and became a deadly area for U.S. soldiers against the Japanese.

Is Hacksaw Ridge Historically Accurate?

After many soldiers retreated, Doss remained on the ridge to locate and treat the wounded. Doss rope propelled around 75 men to safety down the steep cliff without ever firing a shot. He even brought down several wounded Japanese soldiers. For his heroic actions, Doss was awarded two Bronze Star Medals and the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman. He became the first conscientious objector to accomplish such a feat before two additional conscientious objectors were awarded the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War.

Most of Hacksaw Ridge was real and historically accurate. Even Doss' only child, Desmond Doss Jr., stated the film's accuracy was "remarkable" and stressed how his father turned down previous attempts to adapt his story due to his requirement to get the details right.

However, several details were changed regarding how Doss met his wife, Dorothy, and a violent fight with his father. Another element altered for the film's sake was the character of Smitty (played by Luke Bracey, who starred in the Australian soap opera Home and Away alongside Thor actor Chris Hemsworth). While Smitty wasn't real, he was the embodiment of several soldiers who initially disagreed with Doss's objection to carrying a weapon.

Before Hacksaw Ridge, Doss was the subject of the 2004 documentary The Conscientious Objector, featuring interviews from Doss, his brother, and fellow former soldiers. Doss revealed he contracted tuberculosis in the Philippines, which caused him to lose a lung and five ribs. Additionally, an overdose of antibiotics also caused him to lose his hearing entirely. Two years after the documentary's release, Doss passed away at 87. He was buried at the National Cemetery in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Other Movies To Watch If You Loved Hacksaw Ridge

Fans of Hacksaw Ridge's gripping take on a true story may enjoy several other popular films of a similar vein, several of which also received due attention in their respective Academy Award seasons. One such film is 1917, an intense film styled as though it were entirely shot in one take. 1917 follows two British soldiers in World War I, sent to deliver a very important message to the Allied forces across enemy territory. While the film's events are largely based on true events, the actual characters in 1917 were invented for the story's sake.

Another terrific film in Hacksaw Ridge's style is Saving Private Ryan. Also set at the end of World War II, Saving Private Ryan depicts the horrors of war as its characters storm Normandy Beach on what would later become known as D-Day. As the fighting in Europe comes to a close, a band of soldiers struggle to find the missing Private James Francis Ryan, risking their lives to do so. While not based on a true story, the Steven Spielberg-direct film accurately captures the horrors of war, leading to its acclaim as one of the best World War II movies ever.

Christopher Nolan's epic World War II film Dunkirk is another project that fans of Hacksaw Ridge would certainly enjoy. The 2017 movie depicts what would become one of the largest naval extractions of all time, as Allied soldiers were rescued from the beaches of Dunkirk, France, before the Germans could kill them all. Nolan's time-bending direction makes this a unique war film that is certainly worth a watch.

If audiences enjoyed the eye-catching and steady direction of Mel Gibson in Hacksaw Ridge, they will surely love the actor-director's best-known film, Braveheart. The 1995 epic follows revolutionary William Wallace as he leads a group of Scots against the oppressive rule of the British Empire. Braveheart is gruesome yet inspiring, as it follows one man's restless endeavor to make the world a better place for his people--even if the odds seem insurmountable.