The film is comparable to Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line as viewers dub the Mel Gibson's war drama a 'military masterpiece' for its heartbreaking portrayal of a real story08:36, 20 May 2026Frequently compared to Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line, this war drama has earned its status as a modern classic, boasting a celebrated director, stellar cast and gut-wrenching narrative.‌Andrew Garfield's performance in this biographical war film has left viewers stunned, with some declaring it simply "perfect".‌Moving away from his Spider-Man days, this role marked a pivotal moment in his career, proving he could tackle serious dramatic material beyond blockbuster fare.‌Hacksaw Ridge draws from a true wartime account, based on the 2004 documentary The Conscientious Objector. It chronicles the extraordinary tale of Desmond Doss, who became the first conscientious objector ever to receive the Medal of Honour for his Second World War service.As a Seventh-day Adventist, he took a principled stance as an American combat medic who refused to carry any weapon during the brutal battle of Okinawa.His remarkable story resonated with countless people, and the cinematic adaptation achieved even greater impact, garnering multiple awards.‌Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes awarded the film an impressive 84% rating, with hundreds of critics praising the 2016 drama since its release.One reviewer wrote: "Great movie. Doesn't shy away from the blood and depicts war more accurately than most movies, in my opinion. Shows the horrors Doss had to go through in real life. One of the few movies based on a real war hero that does them justice, in my opinion."‌Another admirer posted: "A true military masterpiece. The kind of story that can change you. It's awe-inspiring to think that it actually happened."The Academy Award-winning picture is helmed by Mel Gibson, widely recognised for his celebrated performances in films such as Mad Max and the Lethal Weapon franchise, alongside his work producing, directing and starring in the legendary film Braveheart.‌He's joined by Garfield, Luke Bracey, Vince Vaughn, Teresa Palmer and Sam Worthington, all of whom have garnered extensive acclaim from reviewers and cinema fans.Another assessment says: "A truly fantastic film! Screenplay, cast, direction, everything is top-notch. And to make it even more perfect, it's based on real events. In other words, it's among the best cinematic productions. It's a powerful film that, regardless of your beliefs, deserves your time and respect."Garfield's portrayal in Hacksaw Ridge earned him his maiden Oscar nod for Best Actor, while the production itself secured victories for Best Film Editing and Best Sound Mixing. The movie collected six nominations altogether and was hailed as 'the return of Mel Gibson' following a quieter period in Hollywood beforehand, raking in over $180 million globally.Article continues belowOne viewer said: "I was sceptical at first about watching this movie and then was overwhelmed by how good of a movie this was. My hats off to Mel Gibson for putting together such an emotionally gripping and compelling story."I liked it so much that I watched it a second time the very next day. Do yourself a favour and watch this movie."Hacksaw Ridge is currently available to stream on both Amazon Prime and Netflix.