Snow White, Prince Charming, Geppetto, Grumpy and many, many other fictional fairy tale characters are ripped from the pages of every child’s bedtime reading and relocated to a fast-forwarded future where they no longer know how their plot is supposed to end.
Their lives are interrupted. They no longer have a script to follow. Having begun idyllically “Once Upon a Time,” all have been robbed of living happily ever after.
In theaters November 4, 2016 “Hacksaw Ridge” tells the true story of how one man stayed true to his script, remaining behind when the order was given to retreat.
“The film is based on the true story of United States Army medic Desmond T. Doss, awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman for single-handedly saving the lives of over 75 of his comrades while under constant enemy fire during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II.”
Andrew Garfield, who plays Desmond Doss, “admitted that he cried the first time he read the screenplay.”
“Hacksaw Ridge” had its world premiere on September 4, 2016 at the 73rd Venice Film Festival, “where it received a 10-minute standing ovation.”
During the filming of the war scenes, Director Mel Gibson “would yell to the actors reminding them constantly of what they were fighting for.”
“Hacksaw Ridge,” said one review, is “a gripping wartime tribute to faith, valor, and the courage of remaining true to one’s convictions.”
Being reminded of what we’re fighting for. Doing what you know to do when you don’t know what to do. Staying on script.
Its how all great stories end.
Postscript: In memory of our dad who died 12 years ago this day, Nov.4. Fought in the 10th Mountain Division, Italy, WWII. A soldier who knew what he was fighting for – our country and our family, his legacy.
My dear uncle was also in the 10th Mountain Division in WWII in Italy. He was one of the most remarkable men I’ve ever had the privilege to know. I’m afraid that the moral compass of that generation has been shattered beyond repair.
Do you know if he trained at Camp Hale, Colorado? If so, those men may have known each other – Glenn Arthur Anderson was my (and the author’s) father. I remember our mother cautioned me as a child to not talk to my dad about the war. He would get very emotional and she wanted him to heal. He was a medic and skied pulling a big wooden toboggan in order to pick up the wounded. And I agree with your last sentence but we still have hope if we instill in our children and grandchildren love of country, love of God.
Yes, Alice, he did train there. His unit was 85-L. His son is active in the 10th Mountain Division Descendants. In fact, he and his wife attended a reunion in Italy a few years ago.
I’ve heard recently of this movie and want to see it before it leaves the theater, An older brother was charting his career to become a minister after he finished high school but knew he would probably drafted before he got to college and decided to enlist in hopes of becoming a medic as it was against his religious leanings to carry a rifle and kill anybody. He took his basic and medical training in Kansas and soon found himself in the thick of the Pacific battleground where his brother was already serving with the Marines. He attended many injured and dying and was awarded a battlefield citation (Bronze Star) for shielding a wounded officer and carrying him to safety during the heat of battle. As his baby brother, I have always been so proud of him. He continued on to the occupation of Japan where served the remainder of his enlistment as a Chaplain’s assistant. Brother Gene passed away 5 years ago after a long career as a Prespeterian pastor in Oregon.