<P> Hacksaw Ridge is a 2016 biographical war drama film directed by Mel Gibson and written by Andrew Knight and Robert Schenkkan , based on the 2004 documentary The Conscientious Objector . The film focuses on the World War II experiences of Desmond Doss , an American pacifist combat medic who was a Seventh - day Adventist Christian , refusing to carry or use a firearm or weapons of any kind . Doss became the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor , for service above and beyond the call of duty during the Battle of Okinawa . Andrew Garfield stars as Doss , with Sam Worthington , Luke Bracey , Teresa Palmer , Hugo Weaving , Rachel Griffiths , and Vince Vaughn in supporting roles . </P>
who plays the main character in hacksaw ridge
Andrew Garfield