Hacksaw Ridge

[Mobuck]

I watched the movie Friday evening. Had serious "flash backs" all night. Don't think I want to do that again for a while.

 

[GunnyGene]

I watched the movie Friday evening. Had serious "flash backs" all night. Don't think I want to do that again for a while.

Watched it also. It gave a good portrayal of the absolute chaos of close combat. Had a Marine uncle who fought on Oki. Not on the ridge tho. The island is honeycombed with caverns and tunnels, which is why the artillery didn't do much good.

Reminded me of some of the combat footage in the Victory at Sea series.

 

[powder smoke]

I seen it also the horrors of war are terrible. Maybe Congressmen and Senators should
be required to view this annually. ps

 

[GunnyGene]

Here's a documentary from a few years ago about the battle of Okinawa. about 45 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWP_qhFnXoc

 

[Fox Mike]

One great movie! Even better that it is a true story. Definitely not for the squeamish though.

 

[contender]

I have seen that movie a few times, and again last night. I enjoy it more for the fact it's based upon a real life story. The ending,, where they have footage of the awarding of the CMH,,, powerful,,,, and well deserved. The last part, the interview with him,, and his own words,,, even moreso.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I didn't see it when it came out in theaters, but saw it on tv. I was very surprised how good it was. Like him or not, he was a hero. CMH well deserved.

 

[ProfessorWes]

I was baptized and raised Adventist, and Desmond Doss is one of my church's great heroes, for good reason. The great courage Doss displayed on Okinawa - the movie hardly scratches the surface of his story; Doss was doing that sort of thing for weeks before being injured and evac'd - is one reason I'm so skeptical of the media-hero soldiers who suddenly discover a burning desire for conscientious objecting, whenever a Republican President sends troops into battle. The modern breed of "conscientious objector" seems more interested in making political points than moral ones. And keep in mind that Doss was drafted; the modern American military is an all-volunteer force, and anyone signing on the dotted line today does so in the full knowledge and expectation that part of the job may entail killing this nation's enemies.

I'm most emphatically not a pacifist myself, but I'm not about to dispute the decision Doss made (and anybody willing to dispute Doss' actions need only be referred to his Medal of Honor citation). My own take on pacifism - and the conclusion I personally reached before enlisting, having thought long and hard on the matter - is that if the cause is just God would understand if I had to take a human life. Nevertheless, ever since learning of Doss' story as a child in Sabbath school I've been in awe of the sheer guts it took to face such a fearsome enemy with bare hands.

 

[Daveboone]

We saw the movie when it first came out, time to see it again.
When I came home from the movie, I looked up the incidents and history of the movie. What Doss did repeatedly, far surpassing the deeds shown in the movie
(whoops....I just flipped back to the other responses to check something...this was pointed out by someone else,).
I like very much that for a change, undoubtedly the director realized he didn't have to glorify or build up the story. What he showed (which was kind of an amalgam of his deeds) was by far enough.
I feel humbled and ever grateful I have never had to have my beliefs or mettle tested as has the likes of Doss, and so many others.

 

[Rancher Will]

This movie is one of the best demonstrations of decision correctness of the two Atomic Bombs dropped on Japan. Had the defense of the Japan homeland continued as shown on Okinawan, the Japanese and American casualties would have numbered in the multi millions. The two atomic bombs saved those many Japanese millions of lives, along with the lives of Americans.

 

[WendyZXZ]

A pretty good way to spend an hour and a half:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrchEkT_CUA&frags=pl%2Cwn

Lost of interviews with both Doss and a number of those who served with him. Some of the best comments from those who served with him were telling how horribly he was treated, often by themselves but when they saw his actions in combat as a medic their attitudes about him as a man and soldier changed very quickly. One of them says that nobody considered Doss as any kind of a soldier and then admits Doss was actually one of the best.

 

[contender]

Mel Gibson was the director of the film,, and knowing more of the history,, I doubt he could have included much more and made a big difference. I think Mel saw it for what it was & let the realities tell the story. In fact,, leaving out a lot only helps shine the light on a true hero.

Not many out there today with the same heart as Mr. Doss.

 

[OVERLOADDED]

Started late and did not finish the movie! Had something else to do! I can see why one could have flash backs!
Would be interested in reading the book. Overloadded

 

[gramps]

Like Prof Wes, I was raised as an Seventh Day Adventist. Mr Doss was a frequent member at summer camps, and campmeeting. He was slight of build, humble to the point of being shy. His testimony wasn’t shy! Until he died, he suffered from the wounds he received saving his men on Okinawa. All I can say is “WHAT A MAN”!
gramps

 

[exavid]

When I was a young lad my father was assigned to Kadena, Okinawa in 1953-1956. After some termite damage to our dependent quarters we were relocated to a Quonset hut temporary quarters on Buckner Bay just below Hacksaw Ridge. At that time there sure was a lot of ordnance around the place. Blown up equipment, a couple pretty well destroyed tanks and the remains of a couple of landing craft on the beach. I got chewed out a couple of times by my father for playing around in or near that stuff. Seeing the movie gave me a real appreciation for what happened there a few years before we were there.

 

[Lone Wolf McQuade]

Watched it Saturday night. Thought it was a darn great movie.

Thanks to all the fine men and women past and present who have served our Nation.