Wow. I thought this movie was so powerful on many levels. For me, the main theme was conviction and the willingness of an individual to stay true to his values and faith. Desmond Ross was bullied and humiliated, and yet, he refused to use or hold a gun while being at war. Ironically, some might say that this also made him the bravest and most valuable person on the battle field, given how many men he ended up saving. But to me it was expected to happen.
Since the beginning, one could see how good of a man he was and how he wanted to help as a medic. People tend to judge based on beliefs and what’s unknown to them, and that’s exactly what happened. When we don’t understand something, we judge and sometimes even attack others. I believe this movie is a reminder for people to be more open minded and accepting of those that are different to what we consider “ordinary” and believe in different things. Get to know people before judging them, you’ll be surprised to know that you have a lot in common and that at the end of the day, they are a human being just like you and me.
I think you’re take on the message of Hacksaw Ridge is really intriguing. Being one of my favorites, I’ve watched the movie several times and each time, left with tears on my cheeks, it fills my heart and I take something new from it. However, I’ve never really thought of it like you have and I appreciate you bringing up the bigger picture, how, full of ignorance and without any human decency, we judge and treat others.
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Hi Christian!
I found the way you describe Desmond Ross really powerful, yet simple. I would like to concur with your observation of humans judging each other before getting to know each other. However, similar to the previous comment, my first takeaway from watching the movie was complete different from yours. That is probably why, I liked your post so much, since I agreed with the content and it was something that I had myself not thought of before.
I agree that the movie carries a powerful message. Despite humiliation and bullying, Desmond stands his ground and fights for his morals and in the end he became a hero. He stood strong through the judgement of his fellow soldiers. Even in the midst of the war he stood his ground. The movie shows us that if we believe in ourselves til the end, it will pay off.
It’s interesting how life is. How multiple people looked down upon Desmond for not fighting in the war in a conventional manner. However, that’s what makes him remembered and looked up to today. Also, I really liked how you used the word “conviction” when describing how Desmond stayed firm in his beliefs. It’s such a strong and powerful word.
I remember watching “Hacksaw Ridge” last year and being blown away. Throughout the movie, Desmond stuck to his core values in the face of extreme adversity. In the midst of a brutal war, I cannot say that I could show even half the amount of courage and perseverance that Desmond displayed. Desmond’s own comrades judged him for refusing to kill in war, accusing him of lacking patriotism. But despite their preconceived judgments, he turned out to be the ultimate hero. I like how you said that you must get to know people before judging them. I was particularly moved by the scene in the courthouse, in which Desmond powerfully explained that he wanted to contribute to the cause by saving lives instead of taking lives.
I love how strong the title of your post is, and how it really conveys the message you wanted to share. It’s always easy to judge based on first impressions or even after seeing only a glimpse of one’s character, but it’s always more difficult to step back and realize how close-minded you are by making assumptions without actually knowing someone. It’s natural instinct, and this post reminded how I need to keep on working on it myself.