The Conscientious Objector (2004)

The story of Desmond Doss, a US Army medic who was the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

Director:

Terry Benedict

Writers:

Terry Benedict, Jeff Wood

Stars:

Ralph Baker, Carl Bentley, Alessandro Bianchi

3 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Ralph Baker	...	Himself - Litter Bearer
Carl Bentley	...	Himself - Browning Automatic Rifleman
Alessandro Bianchi	...	Jason Boylan / Solomon Statam (italian) (voice)
James Boylan	...	Himself - Anti-Tank Platoon Leader
John Centola	...	Himself - Company Scout
Max Cleland	...	Himself
Desmond T. Doss	...	Himself
Elwyn Gaines	...	Himself - Browning Automatic Rifleman
Jack Glover	...	Himself - Commander Headquarters Company
Henry Haverlock	...	Himself - Mortar Squad
Ken Lafond	...	Himself - Battalion Scout
Kenneth Phillips	...	Himself - First Lieutenant
Solomon Statman	...	Himself - 307th Regimental Surgeon
Harry S. Truman	...	Himself (archive footage)
Leigh Willoughby	...	Himself - Company Aid Man

Storyline

It's 1945, World War II. The Place, Okinawa. The Scene, an impregnable 400-foot high cliff-AKA Hacksaw Ridge. The Engagement, a battle so fierce the odds of survival were 1 in 10. The Act, Medic Pfc. Desmond T. Doss braved intense enemy fire to rescue 75 wounded GI's over the precipice. The Story, Infantrymen who once ridiculed and scoffed at Desmond's simple faith and refusal to carry a weapon-now owed their lives to him. Director Terry Benedict tells Desmond's incredible story through the eyes of the men who witnessed this humble man's heroic acts. Winning the respect of his fellow soldiers, they recommended him for the highest honor America can bestow on one of her sons-The Medal of Honor.

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Plot Keywords:

medic | medal of honor | soldier | conscientious objector | battle | 

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Taglines:

A True Story of An American Soldier

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Genres:

Documentary | War

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

March 2004 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Lynchburg, Tennessee, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chaparral West,D'Artagnan Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Great story, not well done.

This is an amazing story about a true hero. However, the filmmaker should have let the story and characters stand on their own. Instead he injected himself into it, playing narrator and saying things like "he changed my life." This film didn't need a narrator at all. The other soldiers did a great job of telling the story.

Without needing to, the film crosses into the realm of schmaltzy with its music and "hero shots". He removes the opportunity for the audience to consider for themselves how brave the acts of this man are. I'm glad the story was told but I wish the filmmaker had taken his feelings out of it and let the audience come to same conclusion without forcing it on them.