Hacksaw Ridge

Hacksaw Ridge
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMel Gibson
Screenplay by
  • Robert Schenkkan
  • Andrew Knight
Based onThe Conscientious Objector
by Terry Benedict
Produced by
  • Bill Mechanic
  • David Permut
  • Terry Benedict
  • Paul Currie
  • Bruce Davey
  • Brian Oliver
  • William D. Johnson
Starring
CinematographySimon Duggan
Edited byJohn Gilbert
Music byRupert Gregson-Williams
Production
companies
  • Summit Entertainment
  • Cross Creek Pictures
  • Demarest Films
  • Argent Pictures
  • IM Global
  • AI Film
  • Vendian Entertainment
  • Kylin Pictures
  • Pandemonium Films
  • Permut Presentations
Distributed by
  • Lionsgate
    (United States)[1]
  • Icon Film Distribution
    (Australia)
  • IM Global (Overseas)
Release dates
  • September 4, 2016 (2016-09-04) (Venice)
  • November 3, 2016 (2016-11-03) (Australia)
  • November 4, 2016 (2016-11-04) (United States)
Running time
139 minutes[2]
Countries
  • United States
  • Australia
LanguageEnglish
Budget$40 million[3][4][5]
Box office$180.6 million[6]

Hacksaw Ridge is a 2016 epic biographical war film directed by Mel Gibson and written by Andrew Knight and Robert Schenkkan, based on the 2004 documentary The Conscientious Objector directed by Terry Benedict. Set in World War II, Andrew Garfield stars as Desmond Doss, an American combat medic who, as a Seventh-day Adventist, refused to use a weapon of any kind. Doss became the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor, for his service during the Battle of Okinawa. The supporting cast includes Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, and Vince Vaughn. Filming took place in Australia from September to December 2015.

Following its premiere at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival on September 4, 2016, Hacksaw Ridge was released in the United States on November 4. It grossed over $180 million worldwide, and received critical acclaim, with Gibson's direction and Garfield's performance earning particular praise. It was widely viewed as a return to form for Gibson, whose career had been in decline following several controversies. Hacksaw Ridge was chosen by the National Board of Review and American Film Institute as one of their top ten films of 2016 respectively, and received numerous awards and nominations. At the 89th Academy Awards, the film received six nominations, including Best Picture, winning for Best Sound Mixing and Best Film Editing. It also received three Golden Globe nominations and twelve nominations at the Australian Academy Awards, winning nine of them including Best Film.

  1. ^ "Lions Gate Entertainment 2016 Q3 10-Q". sec.gov. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  2. ^ "Hacksaw Ridge (15)". British Board of Film Classification. December 5, 2016. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  3. ^ Barnes, Brooks (October 26, 2016). "'Hacksaw Ridge,' a Gory War Movie for Both Hawks and Doves". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  4. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 1, 2016). "'Doctor Strange' To Give Booster Shot To Sleepy Fall Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 2, 2016.
  5. ^ "Hacksaw Ridge (2016)". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  6. ^ "Hacksaw Ridge (2016)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on April 9, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2017.