Chosen Theme: The strength it takes for one to stay true towards their convictions
The legendary filmmaker Mel Gibson takes some time to tell us about his new film
Hacksaw Ridge.
Interviewer:
Today we have Mel Gibson to discuss his new film Hacksaw Ridge. What an absolute honour
it is to have you here!
Interviewer:
Let’s get started! I found the scene where Desmond injures his brother quite touching. It
was obviously a cathartic moment; I would like you to discuss the significance of this miss-
en-scene.
Mel Gibson:
You are most correct; it really is a cathartic moment. Desmond clearly felt an immense deal
of regret for his actions as he realised he could have possibly taken his beloved brothers life
when he smacked him in the head with a brick which ultimately influenced his dedication
towards faith and willingness to stick towards his convictions. A significant contribution
towards this is his mother telling Desmond as a child that ‘Murder is the worst sin of all’
which is an epiphany given it ultimately motivates him to live a life of faith. My inclusion of a
range of close-up shots focused among Desmond contemplating his poor actions whilst
staring at the picture of the 10 commandments not only foreshadow his dedication towards
faith that is seen through the course of the film but also further enhance this notion as the
feeling of regret is quite evident through his facial expressions. This part of the film is
extremely significant given that this childhood experience shapes his dedication towards his
faith and strength to stand for his convictions which is evident throughout the film.
Interviewer:
Thomas Doss is a very broken, angry man. Why is he characterised this way and how does
his personality influence the protagonist, Desmond Doss?
Mel Gibson:
The character Thomas Doss’, who I characterised as an extremely broken man due to his
bad experience within the First World serves as motivation for Desmond to stand true
towards his faith and convictions. When Desmond shares his reasoning behind not touching
a weapon a flashback from his is presented where Desmond, Thomas and Bertha Doss
whilst Desmond has his father at gunpoint against a wall whilst he is in a drunken state
exemplifies the absolute distress they are under through the use of close-up, fast-tracking
shots amongst to ultimately signify the damage that violence and the taking of life,
specifically in war, does to an individual. This notion is further exemplified within another
scene involving Thomas Doss who can be seen talking to his fallen friends from the war at
the cemetery. This scene signifies the guilt, pain and suffering he feels from the war given he
was the only one to survive conveying the damage and harm that war does to an individual.
Desmond is a very determined individual, evident within his continued dedication to not
touch a weapon even through harsh criticism and torment just like when he was cruelly
bashed by Smitty. This shows impeccable strength and willingness to keep moving forward
even through intense hardship not only juxtaposes his drunken, broken father but also
serves as his motivation to stick to his convictions as he does not want to live a life like his
fathers.
Interviewer:
The motif of the bible was extremely powerful and reinforced some important points for the
viewer, could you please elaborate on them?
Mel Gibson:
Indeed! The motif of the bible is an extremely important part of the film. A major idea that I
presented is how the bible, which not only is connected towards his faith but was given to
by his wife before he left for the war, as such is an item of signifance for Desmond, becomes
symbolic of the strength that Desmond possesses in order to not take lives within the war.
This strength is exemplified through a scene closer towards the end of the film where
Desmond tries to save a soldier on Hacksaw Ridge yet is faced by an enemy soldier without
any weapon to protect him. Desmond hides the person he is saving under the dirt and lays
on top to make out his dead which shows immense courage. The inclusion of diegetic sound
such as slow footsteps from enemy soldiers inspecting the bodies and the piercing through
the dead man with the intense risk of puncturing Desmond conveys an intense sense of
desperation and urgency that is evident within this situation ultimately symbolising
Desmond’s immense courage to save life in a military environment given that he is doing so
without any protection for himself. The strength and willingness required within Desmond
to bring himself to serve within a military environment without the protection of a weapon
stems from his dedication towards faith as he believes remaining faithful will allow him to
save lives and survive the war.
