Hacksaw Ridge | Based on a True Story

[@CynicalHistorian]

I am well aware that mumblety-peg is a real thing. That is not the dispute here. What obviously is, is that no one could of engaged in such activity in basic training.

[@matteckert7541]

We had guys that did it in basic as well lol

[@Fearun9033]

The Cynical Historian could have* not could of

[@Draconisrex1]

Wrong. Did it in AIT. Did it basic. Did it on the post. Did it in HS. It's a fun game.

[@nellgwenn]

Talk about the movie Courage Under Fire.

[@thechieftain8936]

The Cynical Historian Thank you for ruining that scene where he got injured I can never take it seriously

[@MeTaLISaWeSoMe95]

For the record, Doss maintained he only saved around 50 men, but his commanders continuously confirmed amongst themselves afterward that he saved well over 100 men, and it is commonly accepted that he was merely being exceedingly fucking humble. Awesome guy.

[@Thor-Orion]

Doss is the opposite end of the Seventh Day Adventist spectrum from David Koresh.

[@VictorianTimeTraveler]

"who playfully throws a knife at someone's foot?" clearly you've never been to scout camp, the game is called stakes

[@alexanderchristopher6237]

Yeah, but injuring yourself at basic training is pretty dumb, esp. at the first day.

[@jasonmain6398]

We called it chicken. But yeah we played it all through out high school and middle school. Only 1 injury tho, kid caught it in the side of the calf.

[@VictorianTimeTraveler]

@@alexanderchristopher6237 yes it is dumb... but we did it anyway, because we were teenager's

[@CJ-qz6ec]

Alexander Christopher you’d be surprised at the amount of stupid people in the military bro

[@SomewhatSwedish]

Yea we have that in the Swedish scouts too, although it's more often with a sharpened stake.

[@amcalabrese1]

My father was an infantry man in Korea. He always felt the medics were the bravest men on the battlefield.

[@pineboxboy]

Medics always have an amazing sense of humor too.

[@RasMajnouni]

I have seen that to be true many times.

[@TheSlasherJunkie]

Half the reason I became one. Flip side of that was my grandfather, also in Korea, gave up his aid bag and reclassified to 11B because he felt he was losing more than he could save and was better suited as a rifleman. He also paid a guy a carton of Lucky’s to get out of an OB rotation, and there’s hardly any pictures of the man without a lit cigarette, so I get the impression that he was poorly suited to the job in the first place.

[@jeremystewert4303]

During Operations in the Middle East the Medics and the Chaplains had the highest bounty on their head.

[@bigdog593]

I was a medic I never considered myself brave just doing something I wanted to do it carries over into real life glad I could help and still do 1972 to 1978 go army

[@dumduck55k45]

I’d like to see a movie on the Japanese solder who didn’t surrender in the Philippines for years after the war was over

[@ethanrumley8459]

I am pretty sure you mean Hiroo Onada, he surrendered in 1974. But there was one Japanese soldier Teruo Nakamura on Morotai in Indonesia, who did not surrender until June 1979.

[@georgemiles218]

Well that movie would mostly be one guy doing nothing on an island lol.

[@hikaruskins6942]

oh that guy who did not surrender and reached to the president of the Philippines

[@bipedleek241]

George Miles he didn’t sit there doing nothing he and his squad conducted a war that caused 30 deaths

[@gavinl1565]

@@ethanrumley8459. No there was a solider who from 1944 to 1970 something he continued to fight until he was the only one left of his unit. He was cleared of his crimes. For more info check out the vid on the solider by simple history.

[@usmcmech96]

One thing I thought that this movie got correct was the casting of Vince Vaughn as the drill sergeant. Most civilians think it's a Hollywood invention. As most any veteran knows, the DIs are actually some of the funniest people you will ever meet. You just don't recognize it at the time.

[@RasMajnouni]

"Well any time sweet heart"....

[@christiancanty2036]

Yeah, he was just way too old

[@savion521]

Cynical: who playful throws a knife at someones feet? Marines: ( ͡ʘ ͜ʖ ͡ʘ)

[@nbadhorse]

Throwing a knife as someones feet was called Mumbly Peg when I was a kid. You stood facing your opponent and threw a knife at their feet. You tried to come as close as possible to their feet without hitting them. If you hit them you lose. I saw nothing wrong at all with that scene. Because you never saw it doesn't mean it didn't exist. Now having said that, I went through basic training in 1969 and it would never have occurred to me to play it there.

[@TommyTom21]

I watch rosscreations do that dumb shit all the time.

[@9786oof]

when my brother was writing me letters from basic, if he had included boys throwing knives at each other, I definitely wouldn’t have been surprised. If you’ve ever put a bunch of 18 year old boys together you know stupid dangerous shit happening is an inevitably lol

[@anthony2002able]

I do this with a buddy when my unit goes to the field

[@themadmonk6700]

I remember seeing a version when I was a kid where they would get into the splits and go further out as they threw the knife to add to the challenge. They were kinda bone heads so I didn't stay to see the final result. I think it was less of a you hit my foot and loose and more of a I give up or fall over because I can't keep my balance.

[@privatecitizen6534]

You forgot to say that while playing mumbly peg you moved the foot closest to the knife in until it touched it, then took your turn and the loser was the person who was unwilling to go on. (I actually played this dumb ass game as a teenager a lot)

[@MNRAZORBACK]

According to D. Doss, on the day when his unit waited for him to pray, they only took 1 casualty and that was a man being hit from a falling rock.

[@allenrosales9738]

Was he killed or just wounded? I’m just curious.

[@MNRAZORBACK]

@@allenrosales9738 If I remember correctly, the man hit by the rock was only wounded

[@johnbigwick3027]

Wow. Either God loves this guy or the archives are incomplete.

[@TheWorldsprayer]

@@johnbigwick3027 apparently a japanese was found later who had been trying to shoot him off the ridge as he lowered people down. his weapon repeatedly refused to fire according to him.

[@yeng1855]

@TheWorldsprayer Speculations say that was a cover up story.

[@robertwelch2843]

To be fair, it just makes the hero even more heroic when you realize that the Hollywood adaptation is less of hero than the man he's portraying.

[@chasespeer251]

On the topic of making movies about other MoH recipients, how in the hell has a movie about Joseph Beyrle not been done yet? American paratrooper that landed in Normandy spent a few days doing sabotage before being captured. Escaped PoW camp by train that unbeknownst to him was heading to Berlin of all places. Captured and tortured by the Gestapo before escaping and joining up with the Soviets which were led by a female tank commander and than fought to Berlin with them. Eventually getting papers signed by Zhokuv himself to rejoin the Americans. Returned home to discovery he was assumed dead and then married his wife in the same hospital that hosted his funeral ceremony. This story really doesn't even need any embellishing, it's just that amazing

[@adrianalexandrov7730]

That's a story for sabaton song.

[@chrisprizzle278]

Yeah honestly I would love to see a movie on John Chapman or Roy Benavidez personally but I've heard of who are you talking about and that also would be pretty cool

[@MASTEROFEVIL]

@@chrisprizzle278 never heard of them

[@johnbailey3877]

Thank you for that!!

[@johnbailey3877]

An equally inspirational and astounding story is that of Tibor Rubin. - a MOH Recipient for actions in the “Korean conflict”

[@critterjon4061]

The part about the soldiers throwing a knife at one another’s boots is somewhat accurate. with them playing what was called “ mumbly peg” . With there even being a interview with a squad leader who fought in Vietnam where he talked about how he once got angry at two of his soldiers for doing the exact thing that was depicted in the movie

[@hillkiran]

"If Mel Gibson of all people can do this" - Say what you will about Mel Gibson, but he is good at telling compelling stories on film. "If Mel Gibson can do it" - He can, why can so many others *not* is the question.

[@als3022]

South Park said it well "say what you will about Mel Gibson, but the son of a bitch knows story structure."

[@earlofdoncaster5018]

Say what you want about Mel Gibson, he is a natural born movie maker, behind or in front of the camera.

[@ChimpFromSpace]

My Nipples! They hurt when you *TWIST THEM*

[@vit968]

*Say what you want about Mel Gibson, but Braveheart told a better story than Outlaw King. Historically inaccurate, but a better story.*

[@TheMylittletony]

Without Braveheart, most people would have never heard the name William Wallace. Even in most history books, the Scottish war of independance is a sidenote at best.

[@kyrgyzjeff4550]

I actually met Desmond Doss shortly before his death in 2006 at his church in Piedmont Alabama when I was very little.

[@dotark]

i got to see him speak at a pathfinder campree in MI when i was a kid. my wife knew him

[@braydenpaulk5079]

I live in the same county he died in, and I frequently drive on a road named after him, it's too bad I never got to meet him.

[@ericchristensen2858]

I knew him very well for many years and heard him recount his story more than once. I think the movie did him justice even with the minor changes

[@korbell1089]

Mel Gibson could have had his character shooting lasers out his eyes and still wouldn't have shown how badass the real Desmond Doss was. I do have one very minor complaint about your review though, it wasn't until the Geneva Convention of 1949 clarified that medics could carry weapons for self defense. In the ETO medics generally didnt carry weapons because the europeans powers for the most part respected the red cross brassard, in the PTO though most did because the Japanese would target them.

[@KalashnikovPaouzzi]

Ya European had rules of wars.... like you dont shoot the pilots while falling down with their chuts, you capture them when they touch the ground.

[@MyH3ntaiGirl]

Brian Mcbrian those Japanese don't give a damn about "honor" with their enemy Honor among themself, not the enemy

[@Mike-dh5ur]

They aren't dishonorable, they just perceive it differently. For example, if the emperor ordered you to kill someone, you'd resort to anything, even stab in the back to fulfill the emperor's will, and that is perceived as honorable. Failing to do so would be seen as dishonorable.

[@aewhatever]

Uh oh someone got their historical facts wrong.

[@williamfurlong9786]

if he did nt like braveheart he would not have liked the patriot.

[@kassthered8452]

This movie is the perfect representation of how I usually play as a medic in Battlefield. Everyones trying to get kills while I run around like a mad man, reviving any and everyone in site, careless of their situation xD

[@a_zawodny]

FreeDWooD Yo Same!! I thought I was the only one who does that lol

[@dphorgan]

Well this was in real life. Not a video game............... Experience NOT the same...

[@ringocharmley3941]

Take a seat, son, and listen to what Mr. Doss has to say xd

[@benturner85]

Very good review, I'm glad you made you showed the historical inaccuracies, especially since I got to hear Mr. Doss speak in 1999. I have one critique though, & don't worry it's not bad, it's actually something a lot of people think that Seventh Day Adventists believe, & that's the rapture. Being a Seventh Day Adventist myself, I can let you know that we don't believe in the rapture at all. At least if they are truly Seventh Day Adventist. But everything else sounded accurate. Enjoyed it very much. Hope you don't mind my critique.

[@CynicalHistorian]

I've seen that critique a few times (normally too angry to respond to). So I've got a question then. What is the second coming of Christ (Advent) if not a rapture? What is the difference?

[@benturner85]

The Cynical Historian. Okay the rapture is a 19th century creation where 4400 people will be secretly taken to heaven for a period of time so that the people left behind can have a chance to get things right. For Seventh Day Adventists, Jesus will return to claim his people, (not just Adventists) it will be an event that everyone living will see. Just a small example. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a rousing cry, with a call from the ruling angels, & with God's trumpet; those who died united with Christ will be the first to rise; then we who are left still alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; & thus we will always be with the Lord. So encourage each other with these words. And Revelation 1:7. Look! He is coming with the clouds! Every eye will see him, including those who preceded him; & all the tribes of the Land will mourn him. Yes! Amen! So it says "every eye will see him." Not a secret, but a very loud event. That's just a simple example. Anyway the translation this came from was a Complete Jewish Bible. I have several translations but I kinda like this one. Anyway thanks for getting back to me. Hope you weren't offended, because I wasn't, especially since it gave me a chance to share some. Hope it was helpful.

[@CynicalHistorian]

This is a helpful explanation. Thanks

[@cameronronanwelshbeast7243]

This is a insane movie. Made me very emotional, especially when they interviewed him.

[@michaelandcarina_personal]

I had the immense honor of meeting Mr. Desmond Doss in 2000 at a Seventh Day Adventist campmeeting. I've since fallen from the church, but I am thankful for the opportunity I had to spend a few minutes with this amazing man.

[@cedricgist7614]

I'm of the Baptist persuasion but learned to respect the Adventists from watching 3ABN some years ago. I don't use the word "pride" much, but I thought the Adventists had reason to be proud of how Desmond Doss lived his faith. Now, to your "falling away," I don't know what spurred it and I'm not trying to convert you to my persuasion (which has its faults I know). Don't let go of Jesus. I believe you'll find your way back - and when you do, you'll realize that He never left you. So, re-assess and rejoin the war: we need you.

[@Baamthe25th]

About the knife thing, I played that game with my cousins more than once. It's kinda dumb, but not that dangerous, really, the most "dangerous" part is when the knife bounce off the ground because he didn't go through the earth. Also, to pierce the boot, the guy would have to put way too much force into it. Anyhow, not innacurate. Imho. Or at least, it doesn't break my suspension of disbelief, soldiers would totally do that.

[@thurin84]

i used to play mumbly peg as a kid and i once had a knife go through my sneaker between my big toe and the next toe. it was a weird sensation. btw we were using my sykes fair bairn command knife to play with.

[@mdnealy4097]

I was so bad at mumbly people quit playing with me...lol think about that.

[@DynamicFactorX]

Mel Gibson didnt write Braveheart. Randal Wallace did and he also wrote and directed we were soldiers. Mel Gibson merely directed Braveheart so any historical inaccuracy should be credited to Randal Wallace not Mel Gibson imo

[@AeneasGemini]

I dunno, I think a helicopter accidentally getting in one of the shots is definitely the director's responsibility

[@EyeofValor]

I'm sure the helicopter is the one thing he was talking about. Yea, just that.

[@CupidStuntBoyz]

Wallace also wrote We were soldiers by himself but yh

[@Edax_Royeaux]

@DynamicX Uhh, Mel Gibson is presenting himself as Jesus dying on a cross on Braveheart. I'm pretty sure Mel Gibson is responsible for numerous historical inaccuracies, including costume and forgetting about the bridge in the The Battle of Stirling Bridge. And of course, being the director he could have turned the project down, had it rewritten, or used a different writer all together. The Director must assume responsibility of his own decisions.

[@jamessimon1956]

Mel does not do history, many of his movies are fiction sold as history.

[@RedShocktrooperRST]

In the scene where Doss saves a Japanese soldier, my father, a Navy vet, said that Doss could get in trouble for aiding the enemy. I corrected him, saying that Medics are supposed to help any injured soldier they can regardless of nationality, which is exactly why they're supposed to be protected.

[@Theakker3B]

How come no one points out that the real Hacksaw Ridge was not nearly that high?

[@FortuneZer0]

Michael Akkerman Because the americans never had a point du hoc.

[@zainahmed6502]

I think he exaggerated the height on purpose in order to show the intensity of the battle. This is often done in war films so audience could somewhat feel the epic-ness.

[@Theakker3B]

What does that mean?

[@kiffthewriter]

Didn't think I'd find you here.

[@RoyalDog214]

Probably just want to pay a homage the other World War II battle of Point Du Hoc using one movie.

[@OfficialRedTeamReview]

good channel. found you on History Buff's recommended section. Keep up the good work!

[@51TGM71]

Haha review channel inception, I love it!

[@infinitehoops]

RedTeamReview same

[@_R_E_D__]

RedTeamReview Same, man

[@kiffthewriter]

Dude, you are literally everywhere I go.

[@francisfesolai4492]

Back in the 80s my neighbour and I played the knife game as kids using darts. I know, cause I remember running home with the dart stuck in my foot.

[@cameronronanwelshbeast7243]

Topeto Barnes how is this related to the movie?

[@cameronronanwelshbeast7243]

Topeto Barnes oh right the knife at the feet I thought you meant five finger fillet

[@justinredfering6342]

Did this with shovels at camp too

[@johngol10]

One thing that some people don’t consider is how small Hacksaw Ridge actually is. I’ve been there twice and even at the spot that Desmond used to lower soldiers down to safety. It’s incredibly tiny, for example there is only one prominent machinegun bunker and it’s like 50 meters in front of the crest of the ridge where they climbed up. The whole ridge is maybe twice that length from front to back in terms of where it plateaus. Most of the fire was received from the back slope of the ridge by Japanese machinegunners and mortarmen during from defilade, and from artillery positions tucked away in the hillsides facing the top of the ridge. If anything, the real location feels claustrophobic and if they used a location that better matched the real ridge, it definitely would’ve changed the intensity of the film.

[@centurionxv835]

I thought one of the most rediculous scenes was where one of the Americans grabs a limbless body and charges at the Japanese, using the body as a human shield. Had me laughing when I saw it.

[@CynicalHistorian]

That was bonkers, and rather silly when you think that rifle bullets from Arisakas would just rip right through any torso. Him dragging a guy while the dude shoots backwards was hilarious too.

[@awesomeinspector5270]

Patton (1970) had a sequel. It was a Made-for-TV movie from 1986 with George C. Scott himself reprising his role as Patton. It's called "The Last Days of Patton." Basically, it picks up where the original movie left off.

[@esyphillis101]

I refer to that scene as the Discount Rambo scene. It’s directed by the original Mad Max, so it makes sense he would have such things in his movie.

[@cameronronanwelshbeast7243]

I thought it was quite stupid. I was expecting him to be shot only for doss to rescue him

[@GiulianoM14]

That scene ruined the film for me. I prefer Flags of our Fathers / Letters from Iwo Jima and The Pacific as more realistic interpretations of Pacific theatre battles. This was just too much.

[@BirdsOfGlass]

This story is unbelievable when you hear it. Most people don't even know what happened as he was being carried off the battlefield. The man is easily 1 of the greatest heroes in the history not just of the USA but the history of the world.

[@TheAnonymmynona]

I find it a bit strange to call him a pacifist since the only thing he opposes is for him to personally kill someone but he does support the war and the soldiers on his side

[@CynicalHistorian]

Interesting point. What would you call his ideological position instead?

[@awesomeinspector5270]

Do you have an opinion on HBO's Rome or John Adams? Also, have you ever seen TNT's 1997 miniseries "Rough Riders" starring Tom Berenger as Theodore Roosevelt?

[@TheAnonymmynona]

I not sure maybe some kind of religious non-violence that is tolerant of different actions . The interesting thing is that he doesn't apply his moral standard to others and even helps them break it. I obliviously don't know what he thinks but If he just follows the religious doctrine he helps other people with actions that bring the to hell. So he seems a bit strange to me

[@awesomeinspector5270]

How about "Conscientious Cooperator"?

[@TheAnonymmynona]

Well it is true but I don't think it covers the main point of personally not killing but using all other ways to support the war

[@delulucyyy]

as a combat medic this is one of my favorite movies to watch when wanting to watch an old war movie bc it really makes me love my mos and have respect for the medics before me and all the others i trained with and meet, ik some people have their grievances with the movie but hacksaw ridge is one of the best moral boosters in ait in my opinion

[@leargamma4912]

2016 is not an old movie

[@bigdog593]

Yo brother I to was medic a long time ago loved fort Sam u never 4get what they taught u brother in arms

[@jamesp5533]

Thank you sir. I'm a Navy Vet and find it troubling how Hollywood, the Media, and the Politicians portray our brotherhood. I've been blessed to meet 2 MoH winners in my life and I'm still in awe of them into my 40's

[@poonhandler396]

Mel Gibson is a hell of a filmmaker. Whatever his personal faults may or may not be, no one can deny that he makes good films. He is kind of like the Niels Bohr of filmmaking, pure genius.

[@cedricgist7614]

I did research on "Hacksaw Ridge" after I was blown away by the movie. I trained as a medic at Ft Sam Houston and I never heard of him! The information I gleaned after viewing suggested that they did well in getting the story right. I also learned that Doss had seen much action before the events on Okinawa. I took the attitude that you've expressed - that they had to compress the story in some ways but that it didn't detract from the story. A commenter on your review of "Hidden Figures" stressed that movies are made to make money. I'm sure others said the same. How silly of me to expect a "true story" to tell the truth. Well, some storytellers hew closer to the truth than others and I'm glad that Mel Gibson and his crew told Desmond Doss' story as well as they did. It's amazing what Doss did.

[@rkstevenson5448]

According to Doss himself, he did try to help at least one Japanese soldier, but was told by his fellow Americans that they'd kill him if he did. Later, another Japanese soldier was found with an American bandage on him. According to those that knew him, it's likely Doss did help that man (and potentially others) when his fellows weren't around to stop him.

[@LucasN0015]

Audie Murphy had a movie where he played himself. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but having Murphy literally play himself gives me hope.

[@bernardsummers9050]

What a man and what a hero.

[@napalminthemorning8309]

“The Pacific” shows a fair amount of John Basilone-a Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, and Purple Heart recipient who died on Okinawa-during his WWII tours with the Marines. Good show.

[@markknivila8383]

John Basilone was killed in action on Iwo Jima!

[@wright45591]

Mel also forgot to show how Mr. Doss got TB from from serving on those islands, like a lot of solders and marines did but no one talks about it. The Japanese Army was ripe with TB and if you were around enemy solders in any fashion at that time, our men got the TB. Mr. Doss was sick for avery long time and in the hospital much of it. The VA finaly gave him 90% disability, which you think is a lot of money, it is, but the difference between 90% and 100% when he was awarded his disability would have kept his wife at home with him tending to his wounds, those ten point is a lot of money. What were the lives he saved worth? What was his sanity worth, there had to be long nights of sleeplessness, and the memories-they never stop. What a cheap country we have when it comes to our veterans. After the VA handed out large disabilty awards for combat injuries, then a few years later the VA would call you before a ratings doctor and they, the VA, cut your pension several percentage points or cut it out all together. How do you think the U. S. rebuilt Europe? Some one has to pay, but why the ones that fought for the Peace.

[@sours4g181]

Doug Wright I am a disabled veteran and this still takes place today. It happens because we see it not as taking from us but just another sacrifice we must make. If the American people want to help then they will stand up and fight for us. Most of us believe is selfless service.

[@yourfutureself3547]

I agree full heartedly with what you’ve said, as the Veterans of this nation have forged the present of not only the US but the world itself and to not give them the compensation/ reward for risking their lives for our nation is sickening. However, to address your last statement; the reason we paid to rebuild Europe through the Marshall plan was to contain communism, build up allies, and to make sure another world war never happened again. The treaty of Versailles which ended WW1 helped create WW2 as Germany was forced to pay up all costs of the war. Which led to the conditions that allowed Hitler to rise up. The allies didn’t want to cause another world war.

[@knutdergroe9757]

Thank you, You wrote what I have known all my life. But I am not good at writing. My Father was a WWII MARINE CORPS vet, when he needed help back in the 1950's the VA would not help. I am a Desert shield/Desert Storm MARINE CORPS vet.

[@mikeoverkill2485]

The scene with the knife in the foot was a depiction of the game "Chicken". In this game the objective is to stick the knife in the ground between the other guys feet; if he flinches he is "chicken" and you win. if you stick him with your knife he's not chicken because he didn't flinch. it was a common game to play as resent as the 1960s and 70s. As a kid, my Dad had dozens of cuts on his feet and ankles because he didn't want anyone to think he was chicken.

[@acefrehley1469]

Excellent work again sir. My wish list would contain The men who stare at goats, Zero dark thirty, The insider, or Geronimo an American legend. I'm sure you'll have them done by the end of the week.

[@gawaineross4656]

Thanks, This is a very thoughtful and supportive analysis. I had no idea Doss was handicapped as a result of his injuries.

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

Sergeant York was the last MOH biopic? Did you forget about "To Hell and Back" which was a biopic where Audie Murphy played himself?

[@shinjaokinawa5122]

The American Soldiers I knew while I was growing up were still talking about Audie Murphy when I was a kid in the early 1960's.

[@Battlemage15]

Or the fact Audie Murphy had some of his own actions toned down for the movie because they were too unbelievable a movie going audience wouldn't take the film seriously. To Hell and Back is a pretty boss film. Shame it wasn't an M10 at the end, but hey, those probably weren't so easy to find at that time. At least they got a Sherman.

[@Crick1952]

I really want to see this now

[@samnuell864]

@@Battlemage15 they need to show the m10 some love

[@rockyblacksmith]

He did say "the only other movie I can think of", not "the only other movie in existence".

[@DarthTrader707]

Nice vid. Thanks. There's another movie that revolved around a MOH winner....To Hell and Back, about Audie Murphy, America's most decorated soldier of WW2 (and I think, of all time). Not only is the movie about Audie Murphy....it actually stars Audie Murphy....playing himself. I never saw the movie, but I read his autobiography of the same name. His is an amazing story, of an unlikely hero becoming a hero because he was thrust into an unreal series of experiences that reveal the character of a man. As he said in his life, no one really knows what they are capable of, or incapable of, until they are actually faced with circumstance. Like so many WW2 vets, his post war life was a bit of a tragedy, because PTSD was still decades away from being identified, and treated. That's one of the things that made "the greatest generation" so great. So many were able to fight and live through true horrors, and then return to normal life and put what they did and saw behind them. A great documentary on Desmond Doss, that actually revisits the actual Hacksaw Ridge is this one....kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmGzcqJ7e8qLgtE

[@johnossendorf9979]

11:23 It's a game called Mumblety-peg, we played as kids. It has many variations from throwing as close as you can to your own feet, to as close as you can to the other players feet. We played with our pocket knives, not something the size of a bayonet !

[@bongwater2290]

Hacksaw ridge was one of the few movies that I wish would’ve never ended in my own humble opinion

[@book81able]

All I have to say is, knowing the writer of this film personally, it annoyed me a bit that you always refereed to Gibson as the person making decisions about the film, especially with the plot. Robert Schenken wrote the screenplay so it's him you should be referring to at some points. Of course I'm very biased about this but take the writer into account when someone like Gibson actually makes a good film.

[@CynicalHistorian]

yeah, writers don't get enough credit in the industry - for sure. Of course Gibson is the ultimate say-so on what makes the cut or gets changed on set, but the brilliance of script is probably what allowed someone like Gibson to make a good film.

[@MarioPawner]

Very nice video, and congratulations on doing some accurate research on the topic. I've read Doss's biography (The Unlikeliest Hero) and one scene that I was really disappointed not to see in the movie was where Doss gave an injured soldier blood plasma during a heated gunfight. There wasn't enough elevation for the plasma to flow, so Doss stood up in full view of the enemy for over a minute to administer the plasma (while his buddies gave covering fire and screamed at him to get down) The fact that he was uninjured was nothing short of miraculous. It's a damn shame that it wasn't included, likely because it would be too unbelievable for audiences.

[@July-A7]

A Seventh Day Adventist, a true Christian who lived the life of Christ - putting others before himself !

[@koulor315]

what's crazy for me is the fact I would have never thought there was a man out there like this, who went to war without killing people and saving lives, I never knew about this man until the movie was actually made, if you was to not tell me the movie Hacksaw Ridge is based on a true story, i would had been less impressed but knowing Desmond Doss existed and did all this bravery feats made the movie more inspirational

[@PlainlyDifficult]

Another great video man!

[@kimd7300]

I just found your site and love it. I thought about staring a blog called "based on a true story" that rated the accuracy of such movies. You really should have a rating system. It'll give a visualization type summary.

[@CynicalHistorian]

I wouldn't even know where to begin with that. Since I'm more concerned about the history, my opinion on the movie overall can very wildy

[@kaelanirevyruun1676]

Hehehe... Drill Seargant: “Do not look to him to save you on the battlefield!” Doss: *proceeds to save so many people that he becomes known as an angel after the event*

[@jenniferwilcox9759]

Just small correction; The Veterans History Project documents histories of American service members, not just soldiers. It is, as noted in the video, an excellent source of information. I'm a U.S. Air Force veteran and was involved with it in 2010.

[@salokin3087]

Filmed in Australia, near where I live!

[@n543576]

I disrespectfully disagree on the whole "who is responsible for the killing" if I placed you inside of a cannon and shot you at the enemy who is responsible for the attack? The one who's inside the cannon or the one who fired it? Great video as always, I always learn something new from watching these, they even help me in my college research papers on the topics of war. But as for just that one part, nah I think you're wrong on that front.

[@travis-coltgray9536]

Medal of Honor Recipient. Not winner. Come on man your a veteran too.

[@OcarinaSapphr-]

Travis-Colt Gray You win the lottery... you *earn* a medal

[@scifiismyjam4387]

Just watched this recently. It was REALLY good!

[@bisonmini]

“2016 being the worst year” 2020: I’m about to end this man’s whole career

[@RobertLesliePalmer]

Doss himself talks about treating Japanese wounded on Guam. Watch the documentary, Conscientious Objector! Moreover, as a former Army lawyer trained in the Law of War, I can say that rendering medical aid to wounded enemy soldiers is not prohibited, though it might be unpopular.

[@gunmunz]

I do agree that hollywood should do more historical badass bio pics. If they're willing to look do a conflict that had no american involvement whatsoever Simo Hayha would be perfect. Sniper with 500 kills, a body count most action heroes don't get up to, commies as the enemy, sniper duels, dodging artillery and bombing runs and a survival story at the end with his cheek blown off, and there can be a fake out of him 'dying only to wake up from a coma at the end and living a full life.

[@bavtie1]

Or another Fin, Lauri Törni, who served in the Finnish Army in the winter war, trained with the SS, fought the Soviets again in the continuation war, fled to the US after the war ended and joined the marines there as Larry Throne. He received the Cross of Mannerheim (Finnish), Iron Cross (German) and the Purple Heart (American) throughout his career.

[@rustyalcorta3643]

Look I've seen your other vids and didn't much understand why you said what you said but this one hit the heart and now I know you are a true historian and not just a complainer. Today I subscribed and look forward to your every video of interest. Thanks. I needed to hear this.

[@doc325]

Mumblepeg, the knife throwing thing, real thing. As a Doc, yeah, treated many a mumblepeg injury. Having been in more than one platoon, Battalion etc. All had at least one instance where this game was played, usually stopped by an NCO "what the fuck are you fucktards doing?!".

[@johnossendorf9979]

We played it as kids, but we had pocket knives, not bayonets! I don't remember any one getting cut or stabbed bad enough to admit to it in front of an adult.

[@caiuswickersham]

I hear about mumbletypeg and I keep thinking 'How bored does someone have to be to think throwing a knife, a real knife, at another person's foot is entertainment?'

[@boofalooaloo6875]

this was filmed mostly down the road from my house !! was cool to sneak in and watch what was going on on set ...

[@snelled]

Great work, as to the knife game check out Mumblety-peg usually played by adolescents to teens outside. It was a common traditional game in the east (played in both NJ & MA) into the late 1960's. The stretch version could be fun to watch til somebody put their out.

[@caiuswickersham]

And then it came around in a new version: lawn darts

[@danconrad920]

yeah, played stretch stuck my brothers toe so I lost was the last time we played

[@knutdergroe9757]

We played in Detroit in the 60's and 70's.

[@trop3848]

I was well aware of the historical inaccuracies in this, and other Mel Gibson movies. But it's still one of my favorites, for cinematic reasons of course, things like cinematography, and certain scene direction. AND, despite the historical inaccuracies, I thought it was a really well made homage to the ideals of the man it portrays. Good review, by the way.

[@NocturnalPyro]

I always thought Braveheart was a fictional movie, so that's why I liked it originally.

[@stanherman5604]

Once Doss lost his Bible on the battlefield, the unit went back over the battlefield and found it for him. I believe that was before Okinawa.

[@Valpo2004]

Seeing Vince Vaughn try to be a DI compared to Ermy. They really need to find more former DI's to take these roles.

[@eshuorishas9987]

Yeah that was a big miscasting

[@dzeez7394]

This was one of the most eye opening war movies of all time imo

[@crazeelazee7524]

I know I'm late to the party but we used to do the knife thing in the boy scouts. You'd throw the knife next and to the outside of your opponent's foot and if it landed within one "foot-width" from his foot he'd have to put his foot where it landed. Then rinse and repeat until one of you opened your legs so far apart you couldn't maintain balance and fell. While it seems dangerous, I don't recall anyone getting hurt in the 10 years I spent in the scouts.

[@superkang7448]

Late to the party but I do think there's some kernel of truth in the kicking/throwing the grenade thing. I think he just caught a little shrapnel from it and the serious wounds came some time later. I'm sure it wasn't that dramatic and I have to think that it probably wasn't that uncommon an occurrence. But like just about everything else to do with this guy, it seems a little hard to believe at first.

[@jasondecharleroy4161]

The way Doss describes the incident it sounds like he tried to kick the grenade and missed. He and two or three other guys were in a ditch and he was the only one who saw it coming and he really didn't have much time to react.

[@aaronseet2738]

The real grenade incident was even more incredulous and miraculous. The movie makers felt it had to be simplified to make it believable.

[@codyburgett7962]

This is my first cynical historian video I’ve ever seen and I’m about to watch more... but I have the feeling they won’t all be this positive about movies

[@jesusolguin5896]

Love the fact that this movie has inaccurate detail, but only because people would think it would have been fake telling the complete real story of Desmond Doss in Iwo jima

[@Floridamangaming729]

i loved this movie it was really good and i feel like it depicted the events pretty good☺ im glad they honored the events instead of change them too much to apeal to the movie.

[@direhunter7045]

Whats the manga in your profile picture? I need it for *cough* research purposes

[@LocoMenteClaraOne]

Lifelong Seventh-day Adventist here. A few more inaccuracies noticed from me... 1. In the 40s, no SDAs went to the movies but in this flick, Doss takes his girl to one for their first date. 2. Back then, no SDAs wore engagement or wedding rings and female SDAs didn't wear any other forms of jewelry or even makeup either. Also, as a side note, we don't believe in the "rapture" either. Mel got the vegetarian part right though as most of us practice a meat-free, plant-based diet and those who don't are Kosher. Still a pretty accurate portrayal though.

[@Fandartmartiaux]

About throwing a knife at each others, I used to play this game when I was a boyscout.

[@abrahamedelstein4806]

"Denial was good" You just made yourself an enemy for life.

[@jamesknighton4489]

One the bravest men of lifetime

[@C4RT1987]

Bro that grenade scene was freaking epic

[@traffic800]

I want you to do Dunkirk as soon as it is out.

[@CynicalHistorian]

+Julius man I'd love to, but i gotta wait for the Blu-ray to do this kind of analysis. Definitely excited though

[@UndeadSlayer5]

Finally I get a shoutout in a video thanks man!!!

[@ryanelliott71698]

Here's some historical movies - bays pearl harbour - James titanic - saving private Ryan

[@lorenfranz3173]

Ryan Elliott He's already reviewed Pearl Harbor. It was crap. Saving Private Ryan is a good movie but it's not historically accurate. Titanic is mostly speculation, we can never know what conversations went on between the passengers.

[@-ragingpotato-937]

On the titanic one, yeah we cant, but on what we can know, it was pretty accurate.

[@lorenfranz3173]

Omar I should've mentioned that Saving Private Ryan is inspired by true events, there was a US paratrooper who was told he had to go home because at the time it was believed that his three brothers had been killed in combat, but unlike Ryan in the movie, Fritz Niland ended up returning home. You don't have a right to pick and choose what orders to follow in the military.

[@magicman3163]

Omar so did rollercoasters exist during the titanic.

[@DeathcastGaming]

Try Tora Tora Tora!

[@sebastianadensam5184]

So, just a quick question, what's your name? So that I can find your Interview.

[@CynicalHistorian]

trade secret ;-] though I bet you could figure it out with a little research. I wouldn't think anyone would want to see the interview though, b/c it's kinda boring

[@sebastianadensam5184]

Well, fair enough, I was just curious, since you mentioned it ;)

[@Nckolas20]

Glad to know my suspicions were correct about certain scenes of this movie.

[@jarrettdavis1181]

17:55 what about “To Hell and Back”.

[@Shinji91]

I love your videos. It is awesome to see a historically accurate analysis on these movies. Please don't stop making these awesome videos!!

[@garrettsmith3391]

Mel Gibson is the man.

[@randymagnum6680]

Make a movie about Roy Benavidez, his Medal of Honor story is damn ridiculous. Giant balls of solid steel on that man.

[@irvingramirez2335]

4:45 - 4:55 legit respect #respect

[@peytonultican8241]

I remember when I saw this movie in theaters with my father and he asked me if I were to go on deployment if I would go with the company I went to basic training with. I'm surprised you pointed that inaccuracy out since I feel like most people would have just glossed over it or not have even noticed it.

[@andreastrickland6942]

I am Seventh day Adventist and we do not believe in the Rapture.

[@Karma_return777]

andrea strickland we do believe in the rapture but not a secret rapture.

[@AlexSaysHi2013]

Orthodox Christian here, they had Seventh Day Aventists services on Parris Island when I was there and I never learned what y'all believe. I'm curious if you could elaborate. At the very least to help me understand Desmond Doss's perspective. Thank you.

[@chadgautier1004]

AlexSaysHi2013 - it is a Protestant doctrine. They believe in the inerrancy of scripture and that you are save by grace through faith in Christ. They are trinitarians that favor the Law of Moses, and a law based view of scripture.

[@DirectedbyRon]

Good to see adventists over here :) um brazilian btw

[@jamesheald7971]

SDAs believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ. based on our understanding of prophecy, there are a few things that need to occur before Jesus returns, and that the Bible explains what these things are. we believe that salvation is only through faith in Jesus Christ. keeping the Ten Commandments does not save us. we keep them because we are saved by grace and understand them to be universal principles that reveal the character of God. that obedience is based on love, for God first loved us, and we who seek to be like our heavenly Father respond to that love by returning it to Him and sharing it with others.

[@lforloser7210]

Im late but I think that they made his love interest a nurse in the movie so it could be another motive of him becoming a medic. He learnt some really basic stuff from her before he enlisted.

[@JohnSmith-vi9hi]

I don't understand why people consider this to be on the same level as Saving Private Ryan or Dunkirk. The first half of the movie was a mish mash of scenes taken from better movies (especially the PG13 Full Metal Jacket drill instructor). The only slightly unique element was the main characters pascifism and that wasn't really explored in an impactful way, it just made his the archetypal "black sheep" of the unit. But that stuff just made Hacksaw Ridge a middle of the road war film, what made it truly laughable was the second half on Okinawa. I watched this movie at home and found myself on the ground laughing at how ridiculous the violence in the film was. It felt like I was watching Tropic Thunder's WWII sequel. What made it even worse was that HR was competing against other media covering the Pacific theatre, like Flag of our Fathers/Letters from Iowa Jima or "The Pacific" itself, which had a full episode dedicated to the battle on Okinawa. Overall Hacksaw Ridge just felt like Mel Gibson's attempt at making Michael Bay war porn.

[@KCMrecordings]

John Smith IMO this is better than both those movies. Better than saving private Ryan because it's a true story, both great movies though. Better than Dunkirk because I didn't get the same sense of victory and respect, I think Dunkirk could have been directed/edited better to elicit a better emotional response from the audience

[@jasonfenton8250]

Yep, the direction is too exagerrated and overblown, it makes the war seem like a cartoon, despite the script having a lot of good, accurate elements. Also, it's a very sappy movie, it's always telling you how to feel. I just didn't get much out of the movie, someone else should have been given the script.

[@johntaranto29]

Okinawas violence was over the top compared to other battles. Movies exagerate to scare the audience so they feel like the soldiers on the battlefield. A movies 1st goal is to entertain, 2nd is to be historically accurate. This movie did a good job doing both.

[@gangstalker69]

Dunkirk was garbage, it should of been like Tora Tora Tora but instead we got another SPR but without it being good

[@Jebu911]

Personally i dont like saving private ryan because its plot is really bad and unbelievable. Normandy scene is cool tho.

[@arcanaedgard6098]

As one who was raised and baptized a Seventh-Day Adventist, I heard about Doss for many years, and very much appreciate your sober assessment of this movie. However, please note: while SDAs do believe in the imminent Second Coming of Christ, they most definitely DO NOT refer to that as The Rapture!! The Rapture is a doctrine held by other denominations, and works in a very different way than does the Adventist Second Coming.

[@cadefreeman1112]

i know it was based on true story the 7 day adventist would not stop bragging about it

[@awesomeinspector5270]

It's not bragging. He's being interviewed and he's just answering questions.

[@cadefreeman1112]

Awesome Inspector read the rest of my comments and see why

[@awesomeinspector5270]

I have. Just because you hate Seven Day Adventists doesn't mean he's bragging.

[@cadefreeman1112]

Awesome Inspector my teacher was bragging about it a lot and the others and i hate them for other reasons

[@awesomeinspector5270]

Ah, I see. You're talking about a teacher not Doss. My mistake. Regardless, what Doss did is nothing short of heroic.

[@kasp664a]

the scene with the guys throwing knives at each others feet is a real game. i do not remember the name of the game, but i remember playing it as a scout

[@jklinders]

Haven't seen this one yet. I had reservations when I heard who was directing it but I really want to see this one. Love your channel and content.

[@wheelman1324]

The knife throwing thing is a game called Mumblety-peg. Two dudes take turns throwing knives as close to eachother’s feet as possible. I think it’s a Danish thing.

[@nicholasburns729]

Good review. In the British armed forces, Pacifist were allowed to serve in other areas too, in WWI (as ambulance drivers for The Friends' Ambulance Service, as part of The Belgium Refugee relief effort, and in WWII as members of The Auxiliary Fire Service, In Coal Mines (Bevin Boys, some of whom were conscripted too) and in both Wars In the Pioneer Corps and Royal Army Medical Corps. The AFS earned many George Crosses in WWII and the RAMC an incredibly high number of Victoria Crosses and other bravery awards. Out of interest the pacifist who served in the British Forces during both World Wars were from a mixed bag of beliefs. It would have been interesting to see Pte Dross' medic training and get a glimpse of the other men who undertook that training. However this is not the film Gibson wanted to make. Gibson made it quite clear that he was proselytizing in the interviews he gave. Then again he can be a good film maker when he can be bothered and as a result Hacksaw Ridge is much better than most "Christian Movies".