User Reviews

This documentary tells the story of Desmond Doss, an Army medic who entered the army as a conscientious objector and ending up receiving the highest honor bestowed upon a member of the military...the Medal of Honor. The film really can be split into two parts:

The first part tells of Doss's pre-battle experiences, starting with his conviction as a child (after seeing his father almost murder his uncle had not a gun been removed from the situation) to never pick up a firearm or take another life. However, Doss also felt a great sense to serve his country during World War II, thus enlisted in the military to try and become a medic, enamored with saving lives instead of taking them. Until seeing battle in Okinawa, though, Doss was ridiculed by fellow soldiers, threatened to be court marshaled, and came close to being kicked out of the Army altogether by his superiors, all for not wanting to pick up a weapon. The kind of persecution he endured for the simple cause of not training in with a rifle is a great stain upon the entire U.S. military.

The second part of the documentary is much more hopeful, as it recounts Doss's harrowing experiences during the U.S. invasion of Okinawa. While most men were content to protect their own lives, Doss would time and time again risk his breath to save as many soldiers as possible. In one heroic night, Doss saved nearly an entire fleet of wounded soldiers by patching them up, dragging them to a ridge, and lowing down via a rope by himself...all under heavy Japanese gunfire. By the time his fighting service ended, Doss was the medic that every Army unit wanted by its side.

Finally, the cinematography of this film is incredible. The most poignant moments include the traveling of Doss (and some of his fellow Army compatriots) to the training fields and battlegrounds of old as they are now. The emotions are absolutely overpowering at some moments, as the old soldiers "reminisce" about the atrocities committed (but the freedom won) on the very ground they are standing on.

Desmond Doss is a true American hero, and his story deserves to be told in this wonderful documentary. Personally, I hold out hope that, through watching this film, more people will come to understand that a man's conviction is not something to be taken lightly, and can be remarkably effective in times when great courage is needed.