An Unlikely Hero PHOTO COURTESY of TERRY BENEDICT of TERRY COURTESY PHOTO
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An Unlikely Hero PHOTO COURTESY OF TERRY BENEDICT OF TERRY COURTESY PHOTO On the set of “Hacksaw Ridge,” producer Terry Benedict, director Mel Gibson, and the entire cast and crew took pride in staying true to balance the violence of war and the heroics of WWII medic and pacifist Desmond Doss. BY LAURIE HARTT Medal of Honor—a young Seventh-day Adventist who insisted on being a part of the battle but refused to carry a gun. As a epperdine graduate and Malibu-resident-at-heart, noncombatant army medic on the field, he was responsible for producer Terry Benedict wasa 10 when he first discovered saving the lives of more than 75 of his men on one of the most PWWII medic Desmond Doss’ story. dangerous battles of WWII’s Pacific Theater on a cliff known as “It was unlike any other hero story I had read,” Benedict Hacksaw Ridge. remembered. “My little brain would try to reconcile the math of The story struck a chord, and in the late ’90s, Benedict had the [lowering] down 75 men in 12 hours. He only weighed 155 pounds. chance to meet Doss in person and develop a relationship with him. I marveled at his lifesaving heroics by lowering them down over a “Hollywood had been chasing his story for decades,” he said, 100-foot cliff with a rope, under constant fire and without a gun. “but he wouldn’t sell. He didn’t want to be glorified. That was to go He became my hero for standing up for his convictions, and living to God. He was afraid his character would be compromised.” a life of faith to God and service to his fellow man.” However, Benedict was convinced of the importance of Doss’ story is an unlikely yet powerful one: the tale of the the story. U.S. Army’s first official conscientious objector to win the “I told him that his story had global implications and that I 52 | MALIBU TIMES MAGAZINE | #MALIBUTIMESMAG Producer Terry Benedict talks about his time with An Unlikely Hero Desmond Doss and the recently released movie “Hacksaw Ridge.” On the set of “Hacksaw Ridge,” producer Terry Benedict, director Mel Gibson, and the entire cast and crew took pride in staying true to balance the violence of war and the heroics of WWII medic and pacifist Desmond Doss. would answer to God first, him second and everyone else could get Benedict stayed true to his word to protect Doss’ character and in line. He got a big grin on his face and said, ‘yes.’ I could do it.” story, taking Garfield to the places where Doss grew up and Benedict’s first step in telling the story came in the form of lived as an adult to help him fully immerse in the character. his well-received 2004 documentary called “The Conscientious “Andrew’s performance is amazingly accurate. He captures Objector,” which detailed Doss’ time in the army, including his the heart and soul of Desmond in a deeply layered performance,” struggle to fit in and earn eventual respect from his commanders the producer said. “There is no doubt in my mind that Desmond and fellow company men. Doss would be proud if he saw Andrew’s performance (Doss “Their love and admiration for Doss comes through in such died in 2006). That’s about as seamless a performance as you a sincere way for a medic they [once] despised,” Benedict said. can get in a biopic.” “You can’t help but be changed after watching it.” With Gibson directing, he and Benedict had the cast and crew watch Benedict’s original documentary to put everyone on ast forward 12 years to the November 4 release of the film the same page. It was understood throughout the making of this Fversion of Doss’ story—the highly acclaimed “Hacksaw film that it was incredibly important to keep the promise made Ridge,” starring Andrew Garfield and directed by Mel Gibson. to Doss to hold true to his story. WINTER 2016-17 | 53 LOVING MALIBU Benedict attended Pepperdine in the early ’80s and spent his time lifeguarding at the pool and later at Colony Beach. He remembers his launch to Hollywood vividly: “Malibu residents, Academy Award-winning cinematographer, Haskell Wexler, and his producer, Roxanne McCann, would swim at Pepperdine’s pool. I got to be friends with them. One day she said they were doing a Treetop apple juice commercial and hired me. It was my first job in Hollywood. My film career started with a Hollywood legend.” PHOTOS COURTESY OF TERRY BENEDICT OF TERRY COURTESY PHOTOS He said with gratitude for his time in Malibu: “My career would’ve been much different without the Malibu community in my life.” To pay it forward, he offers a final word of encouragement for his Malibu friends, family and peers: “Malibu has an amazing film and entertainment community, and I want to encourage everybody to not be afraid to make great stories that not only entertain but inspire as well.” Favorite spots? “Back in the day, I used to hang out at Coral Beach Cantina. I loved coming in there because it was just good comfort food, and it was a laid back beach crowd who hung out there. I had a lot of friends that just congregated there, then one of my friends became Above: the manager. David Today, Duke’s probably would be high on my list. In the early Permut, Mel Gibson, days, it was called the Malibu Sea Lion. A storm came into the Benedict restaurant. and Bill I used to hike quite a bit in Malibu Creek State Park; I would go Mechanic out there and write. My family would ask where I was hiking, and they wouldn’t recognize it. I’d tell them if you watch the opening Left: credits to ‘M*A*S*H’, that’s the Malibu Creek State Park. They Benedict just didn’t know how I was getting any studying done.” on set of “Hacksaw Favorite memory? Ridge” “My favorite memories were at the beach. Just the peaceful, powerful part of nature that allowed me to just kind of relax and be creative. It opened up and really inspired my creative juice. Being at the beach was always the best part for me.” “I am really proud of the team that came together and very very happy with the work Mel did,” Benedict said. “Mel brought his passion, incredible filmmaking experience and conviction to stay true to the core of the story. He’s a great filmmaker —period.” With strong reviews, the critics agree with Benedict when he said, “Mel poetically balances the violence of war so that we can appreciate the faith and heroics of Desmond. There is nothing gratuitous in the film.” Benedict believes the film to be one for everybody, regardless of age, religion or military background, and hopes that it’s a film that makes people think. “I’ve often said that Doss’ story is relevant at any time in our history. We live in the world of gray much of the time,” Benedict said. “How rare it is that people actually stand up for CANN c what is right. Whether it’s the documentary, ‘The Conscientious Objector’ or the movie, ‘Hacksaw Ridge’—people come away reflecting inwardly about themselves.” n To learn more about Terry Benedict’s work and upcoming projects, PHOTO BY ROXANNE M ROXANNE BY PHOTO email terry@shaefoundation.org or visit shaefoundation.org 54 | MALIBU TIMES MAGAZINE | #MALIBUTIMESMAG.