I first saw Hacksaw Ridge last year just before the Academy Awards aired on tv. I remember how much I enjoyed the film because of how well it was able to move me emotionally with the story. I also was amazed by its brilliant camera angles that made you feel as if you were actually in the places that the movie takes you through.

Hacksaw Ridge is based on the life of WWII hero Desmond Doss, who saved 75 men on the battlefield of Hacksaw Ridge without himself carrying any weapons. The film spans from when Desmond was 13 years-old were a life-changing incident happen to him, (no spoilers), to when he is carried off the field after being injured by a grenade. The film was directed by two-time Academy Award winner Mel Gibson and it stars Andrew Garfield as the main character. The film went on to be nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor, of which they won Best Sound and Best Editing.

The true impact that Hacksaw Ridge had on me was an emotional one because of how Desmond’s unwillingness to give up his own personal beliefs in face of everyone opposing him was just so inspiring to me. There were also some camera shots that made my emotions go wild because of how real everything I saw seemed.

After seeing the film again, I now hold the film even higher than I did before because it not only made me convey the same emotions that I had previously discussed; but, it also made me realize that in this world there are people who are willing to do the right thing without compromising their own beliefs.

-Allan Medrano