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Life and Death on Hacksaw Ridge

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Life and Death on Hacksaw Ridge Life and Death on + HACKSAW RIDGE esmond Doss. In Adventist meant he would not carry a gun. He circles, the story of his bravery served in combat in the Pacific, on the Dand how he faced persecution islands of Guam, Leyte, and Okinawa. from fellow soldiers is repeated over His most well-known service was and over. Now, seventy-one years after when Doss was tested in one of the his heroic efforts, the Desmond Doss bloodiest battles during World War story will be shared with the world. II, when his fellow soldiers needed aid Hacksaw Ridge tells the story during the Battle of Okinawa. It was on of Doss’ enlistment and the trials the Maeda Escarpment that Doss ran he faced for taking a stand as a into the fight rather than from it. He is conscientious objector who wanted credited with lowering 75 men to safety to serve his country. Although Doss down the 400-foot escarpment. was a conscientious objector and “Courage and bravery can’t be could have received a draft exemption, taught,” says retired U. S. Army he chose to serve according to the Colonel Charles Knapp and chair of dictates of his conscience, which the Desmond Doss Council. “What 20 many people don’t know about for making the movie changed when Desmond is that before his actions the economy tanked in 2007-2008. on the Maeda Escarpment, he had After that, we had to start completely already been awarded 2 Bronze Stars over.” In February 2015, funding and 2 Purple Hearts. His faith carried was obtained, and the creation of the him through unimaginable horror.” movie was finally underway. In addition to the Medal of Honor, This isn’t the first time that Doss’s Doss was awarded Bronze Star for story has been told in film. Terry valor with one Oak Leaf cluster Benedict’s television documentary, The (signifying he received 2 Bronze Conscientious Objector, was created in Stars); a Purple Heart with two Oak 2004. It featured interviews with Doss Leaf clusters (signifying he received and his fellow soldiers. 3 Purple Hearts); the Asiatic-Pacific In screenings across the United Campaign Medal with three Bronze States, Hacksaw Ridge received high Stars, and beachhead arrowhead praise for its positive portrayal of a (signifying he served in 4 combat Christian who stood for his convictions. campaigns including an amphibious Although it is a story of war, the central landing under combat conditions); the theme is one of faith and living by Good Conduct Medal; the American uncompromising principle. Defense Campaign; and the not so The Desmond Doss Council is common, Presidential Unit Citation tasked with the mission to preserve, given to the 1st Battalion, 307 Inf, protect, and manage the life story 77th Infantry Division for securing of Desmond T. Doss and his the Maeda Escarpment. intellectual properties, collections, and The movie, Hacksaw Ridge, has memorabilia in a manner that honors been in the making for 15 years. It his legacy, his beliefs, his church, and opened on November 4, 2016, in his God. 3,000 theaters and has been optioned to be shown in every major movie How will you respond to questions distribution area of the world. about Desmond Doss and Hacksaw There were many struggles to Ridge? Helpful talking Points can bring Desmond’s story to the big be found on page 29. Photos Courtesy of the Desmond Doss Council screen,” says Knapp. “Some studios thought it was too religious. Many things that had been put in place 21 HACKSAW RIDGE TALKING POINTS WHAT DO WE SAY IF SOMEONE ASKS WHY brutality sometimes in disturbing THE CHURCH IS BEHIND THIS MOVIE OR but accurate ways. This battle is WHY THEY WOULD PROMOTE IT? considered by military historians to Hacksaw Ridge was not made by or be the bloodiest of World War II. for the Adventist Church. Desmond Hacksaw Ridge is a war movie and the Doss approved the telling of his story first to document the battle on film. provided his beliefs, the facts, his The action is all live action. Very little church were properly and accurately computer (CGI) animation was used. portrayed; and that the movie would honor God. The Desmond Doss DID THE FILM STAY TRUE TO DOSS’S Council was charged with protecting, CHARACTER? Yes. preserving, and managing the story to God’s glory. The movie’s producers WAS THE SPIRITUAL TONE CONVEYED have coordinated script, plot lines, and CORRECTLY? Yes. portrayal with the Doss Council for accuracy and appropriateness. DID THEY PORTRAY ADVENTISTS IN A GOOD LIGHT? WHY WOULD ADVENTISTS WATCH THE FILM? Yes. While the film does not Neither church leadership nor preach, teach or moralize, viewers the Doss Council advocates church come away with the seed of thought members to see the film. The church set in their minds that Doss’ is neither promoting nor marketing integrity, faith, and moral courage is the film. Church members will be synonymous with what Seventh-day asked questions about Doss, his Adventists believe and practice. beliefs, his church, prayer, faith and the miraculous events leading to the award HOW MUCH NUDITY? of the Medal of Honor. Hacksaw Ridge No female nudity. One barracks will motivate those questions. It will scene has one soldier exhibitionist be helpful for church members to (actually happened) goofing off, but understand the full context of how there is no full nudity displayed. these most Christian of all moral ethics are portrayed in the film and WHY IS MEL GIBSON THE DIRECTOR? how they honor and glorify God. The Mel Gibson was chosen by the movie is expected to open avenues of film’s producer, Bill Mechanic, as the conversation with friends, neighbors, best director to accurately portray co-workers and family like no other the story. His faith tradition was not witnessing opportunity has in 100 years. a consideration. HOW VIOLENT IS THE FILM? To learn more about the Desmond Doss story Very violent; it is not for the faint and the movie, Hacksaw Ridge, visit: www.desmonddoss.com of heart. Some scenes, while true, www.hacksawridgeresources.com may be so realistic as to be disturbing. www.hacksawridge.movie The battle for the Maeda Escarpment If you are asked by friends and acquaintances about Hacksaw Ridge, how will you respond? The in which Desmond Doss is a central North American Division has prepared these talking participant visually describes the points as a guide. 29.
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