Hacksaw Ridge
The true story of Desmond T. Doss, the conscientious objector who, at the Battle of Okinawa, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his incredible bravery and regard for his fellow soldiers. We see his upbringing and how this shaped his views, especially his religious view and anti-killing stance. We see Doss's trials and tribulations after enlisting in the US Army and trying to become a medic. Finally, we see the hell on Earth that was Hacksaw Ridge.
Despite a moderate budget of $40.0M, Hacksaw Ridge became a commercial success, earning $175.3M worldwide—a 338% return.
2 Oscars. 57 wins & 115 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Hacksaw Ridge (2016) exemplifies carefully calibrated story structure, characteristic of Mel Gibson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 19 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 2.8, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Desmond Doss playing in idyllic Virginia countryside with his brother Hal, establishing innocent childhood before violence enters his world.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when News of Pearl Harbor attack. Desmond sees wounded man brought to hospital and watches newsreel of war, feeling called to serve despite his pacifist beliefs.. At 10% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Desmond arrives at basic training at Fort Jackson and refuses to touch a rifle during weapons training, actively choosing to stand by his convictions despite certain persecution., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 91 minutes (65% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, American forces ordered to retreat down the ridge at nightfall, leaving dozens of wounded men behind to die. Desmond remains alone on the ridge surrounded by enemies and dying soldiers, seemingly facing certain death., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 69% of the runtime. Final assault on Hacksaw Ridge. Desmond continues saving lives including former tormentor Smitty and Captain Glover. Americans defeat Japanese forces in brutal fighting. Desmond is finally wounded by grenade and gunfire while saving others, kicked off a stretcher to make room for another wounded man, then saved by his squad mates., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Hacksaw Ridge's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Hacksaw Ridge against these established plot points, we can identify how Mel Gibson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Hacksaw Ridge within the biography genre.
Mel Gibson's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Mel Gibson films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 5.9, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. Hacksaw Ridge takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Mel Gibson filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional biography films include Lords of Dogtown, Ip Man 2 and A Complete Unknown. For more Mel Gibson analyses, see The Man Without a Face, Braveheart and Apocalypto.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Desmond Doss playing in idyllic Virginia countryside with his brother Hal, establishing innocent childhood before violence enters his world.
Theme
After nearly killing Hal with a brick, Desmond stares at a picture of Cain and Abel with the commandment "Thou Shalt Not Kill," establishing the core moral conviction that will define his journey.
Worldbuilding
Desmond's upbringing with alcoholic WWI veteran father Tom, devout mother Bertha, establishment of his Seventh-day Adventist faith, and his work at the hospital where he meets nurse Dorothy.
Disruption
News of Pearl Harbor attack. Desmond sees wounded man brought to hospital and watches newsreel of war, feeling called to serve despite his pacifist beliefs.
Resistance
Desmond proposes to Dorothy, debates with father about enlisting, receives father's blessing and Bible. Enlists as combat medic, refusing to carry a weapon, beginning his conflict with military authority.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Desmond arrives at basic training at Fort Jackson and refuses to touch a rifle during weapons training, actively choosing to stand by his convictions despite certain persecution.
Premise
Desmond endures brutal hazing, beatings from fellow soldiers, and pressure from Sergeant Howell and Captain Glover to quit or carry a weapon. He persists in training as a medic while refusing to compromise his beliefs.
Opposition
Desmond marries Dorothy and ships to the Pacific. His unit arrives at Okinawa and enters combat on Hacksaw Ridge. Extreme battle violence as soldiers are torn apart. Desmond saves lives under fire but his squad still doubts him, seeing him as a coward. First assault on the ridge fails with massive casualties.
Collapse
American forces ordered to retreat down the ridge at nightfall, leaving dozens of wounded men behind to die. Desmond remains alone on the ridge surrounded by enemies and dying soldiers, seemingly facing certain death.
Crisis
Through the night, Desmond prays "Please Lord, help me get one more" as he drags wounded soldiers to the cliff edge and lowers them down one by one with rope, alone in darkness with enemies everywhere.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Final assault on Hacksaw Ridge. Desmond continues saving lives including former tormentor Smitty and Captain Glover. Americans defeat Japanese forces in brutal fighting. Desmond is finally wounded by grenade and gunfire while saving others, kicked off a stretcher to make room for another wounded man, then saved by his squad mates.