Hacksaw Ridge, in cinemas on the 26th January is the new film directed by Mel Gibson depicting the true story of Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield), a Seventh-day Adventist who refused to touch a weapon when he signed up to fight in the Second World War.
The pacifist preferred the idea of preserving life rather than taking it. His remarkable story of how he saved the lives of 75 people at the battle of Okinawa plays out in visceral realism.
His battle to overcome adversity and animosity towards his beliefs spurred him to great things and Doss “the coward” soon became Doss “the hero”. Read on for a list of similarly remarkable people who overcame the harshest adversity to go on to greatness.
Nelson Mandela – Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013)
Based on the bibliography of Nelson Mandela, we see his journey to presidency and his fight against apartheid. The film depicts how he wasn’t always motivated by good intentions as we see him cheating on his wife. But this only humanises him and makes him more relatable. It’s only after the Sharpeville Massacre that he becomes a lot more involved in the cause. Mandela gets imprisoned, but the decades away don’t diminish his dream of an undivided country. Idris Elba’s performance of the older Mandela is powerfully moving, extending the real Mandela’s reputation as an inspiration for the world.
Harvey Milk – Milk (2008)
This film follows the story of gay rights activist Harvey Milk (Sean Penn). He was the first openly homosexual to be elected to public office in California, a cornerstone for the LGBT rights movement. Sean Penn displays a winning performance of Milk depicting his struggles as an openly gay politician and the strong opposition he faced. But he knows that his struggles are not in vain, even when his partner (James Franco) leaves him, and others around him scorn him. The story ends tragically, but Milk became an important figurehead and martyr for the LGBT community.
Oskar Schindler – Schindler’s List (1993)
This film directed by Steven Spielberg is based on the incredible true story of businessman, Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) who saw an opportunity in Nazi-occupied Poland to exploit the Jewish community. But the corrupt man noticed an evil greater than himself, an evil that did not recognise the ill intentions of their actions, and of consequence he traded in his goals and fortune to save the very Jews he once abused. Schindler fought against the madness of the holocaust saving hundreds of thousands from execution. If you are going to watch this, you should make sure you have some tissues at hand.
Eddie Edwards – Eddie the Eagle (2016)
This is a feel-good film inspired by the story of Eddie Edwards (Taron Egerton) who became the first British skier to represent Great Britain in Olympic Ski Jumping in 1988. Hugh Jackman stars in this film as Eddie’s coach who is convinced to do so after he witnesses the young man’s spirit and determination to compete in the sport. The funny pair find themselves trying odd methods to get him up to the competing standard, and it works! All that’s left is the competition.
Michael Oher – The Blind Side (2009)
Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) an underprivileged 17-year-old boy who lived his life in and out of foster care finds himself accepted into a prestigious private school on the basis of his potential as a good football player. Most of the teachers at the school however see him as a waste of their effort. But Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock), wife of Sean Tuohy a franchise owner of Taco Bell, practically adopts the boy to give him every opportunity possible to succeed in life. Michael makes the Tuohy’s proud and proves to everyone what he is capable of in this emotionally moving drama.
Maud Watts – Suffragette (2015)
Carey Mulligan plays working-class woman Maud Watts and her efforts within the Suffragette’s movement. Her character is already in a precarious position due to her class and her sex. She ends up losing her husband, the rights to see her son, her job, her home and get imprisoned. In a rouse to get out of prison, the suffragettes starve themselves and we see Maud get force fed in a torturous fashion. Yet despite all this loss, Maud has gained more motivation to obtain the rights to get her son back and get the right vote. The film stars Helena Bonham Carter, Anne-Marie Duff and Meryl Streep.
Follow Desmond Doss on his remarkable story when Hacksaw Ridge lands in cinemas on Thursday 26th January.
