* www.able.co.nz Able 2019 (TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS) (SOMBRE MUSIC) (SLOW-MOTION SCREAM) -(MAN SCREAMS) -(HEARTBEAT) (MAN SCREAMS) MAN: "Have you not heard? "The Lord is the everlasting God, "the Creator of the ends of the Earth. "He will not grow tired or weary. "And his understanding, no-one can fathom. "He gives strength to the weary "and increases the power of the weak. "Even youths grow tired and weary, "and young men stumble and fall, "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. "They will soar on wings like eagles. "They will run and not grow weary. "They will walk and not be faint." (ECHOES) Desmond, hang on! Hang on, Desmond. We're gonna get you out of here. BOY: Desmond. Desmond! -What? -Wait up. Catch up. Wait up. I've got something to tell you. (PANTS) What, Hal? -Race you to the top. -Hey! Cheater! (BOYS LAUGH) -See you later, slowpoke. -Hey! (GRUNTS) -Want a hand? -I got it. -(CALLS OUT) -Ah! Don't! -Quit it. -You quit it. (BOYS LAUGH) (BOYS SHOUT) -WOMAN: For Pete's sake! -MAN: Hey! Get away from that ledge, you damn fool kids! -You gonna break your necks! -(BOYS SHOUT) Hmm. It's them Doss kids. Crazy as their old man. (BIRDSONG) They dug up the corner of Jackson and Main. Putting in a sidewalk. You boys wouldn't recognise it now. Mind you, I doubt they'd recognise you. They hardly know me when I walk by 'em. It's like I died with you. It's like we boys never existed. Well, that's all I got for you today. (BOYS GRUNT) (SIGHS) Block him with your right, Desmond. Stop it! Do you hear me? -What are they fighting about? -When they ever need a reason? Tom! Do... Oh! Why stop 'em? Saves me whipping 'em both. This way, I just whip the one that wins. Tom! (GASPS) (SCREAMS) Oh, God. WOMAN: Tom! Wake up. Can you hear me? -What the hell have you done? -WOMAN: He can't hear me. I'll get some ice. -TOM: You shift that basket. -I got it. WOMAN: Is he breathing? Hal? Hal, can you hear me? (DISTORTED) Hal, can you hear me? (HAL MOANS) TOM: Hal? -TOM: Come on. -WOMAN: He's dilated. TOM: Hal? Grip my hand. Grip my hand. (SLOW-MOTION) What do you think you're doin'? I'm gonna have to beat you now. You know the rules. Ya hear me, Desmond? -Desmond?! -Tom, stop. What's that gonna teach the boy? He's violent enough already. OK, fine. You go smother him in kisses. You tell him the world's a soft and gentle place. (DOOR BANGS) Hal's gonna be OK. Hey. I could have killed him. Yes, you could have. Murder - it's the worst sin of all. And to take another man's life, that is the most egregious sin in the Lord's sight. Nothing hurts his heart so much. TOM: Don't you understand English? -Do I have to tell you again?! -(WOMAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY) TOM: Move, woman, or I will wallop you... MAN: What the hell's going on? You OK, Bertha? TOM: You mind your own damned business! (DOOR BANGS) I hate him. (SNIFFS) Momma? Why does he hate us so much? Oh, he don't hate us. He hates himself... ..sometimes. Your daddy tonight - that ain't the real him. I wish you knew him like I did, before the war. (CHOIR SINGS) # Praise the Lord Praise the Lord # Let the people rejoice # Oh, come to the Father through Jesus the Son # And give him the glory Great things he has done. # How'd we sound, Desmond? Like a heavenly host of angels, Mom. Now, you know it's a sin to tell a lie, especially in this place. Well, I never said they were singing angels. -WOMEN: Oh! -(THUMP!) -(BOY SCREAMS) -(PEOPLE SHOUT) BERTHA: What's going on out there? Desmond! -MAN: Get it up, get it up! -(BOY YELLS) MAN: Drag him out. Just the tarp. -MAN 2: I'll phone an ambulance. -No, no time. -Joshua's pick-up. Quick! -OK. (BOY SCREAMS AND MOANS) (HORN HONKS) DESMOND: You're gonna be fine now. You're gonna be fine. You're in good hands. What have we got here? It's a severed artery. -Get some sutures. -NURSE: Yes, Doctor. Put some pressure on it. Did you apply this tourniquet? -Yes, sir. -Nice work. You might have saved this boy's life. DOCTOR: You staying with us? You're gonna be OK. -What's your name, son? -Gilbert. -NURSE: Surgery? -DOCTOR: Yeah, surgery. OK, stay with us. You're gonna be OK. Just stay with us. OK? (INAUDIBLE CONVERSATIONS) Army physicals that way. This is for giving blood. Are you alright? Oh, no. That's not mine. I'm fine. Thank you for asking, though, ma'am. What do you need? My belt. I lent it to the boy who had the...had the accident. My pants don't hold up so good without it. Well, uh, I don't have your belt. I know that, ma'am. It's right out there with the boy still. (LAUGHS) OK. I'm just here to take blood. I'll give mine. OK. Go to that room over there and wait with the others. I'll call you. That... That room. You ever given blood before, Mr...? Doss. But my friends call me Desmond. No, ma'am, my first time. I always dreamed about being a doctor, but, uh... ..I didn't get much school. You may be a little dizzy when we're done. Is somebody picking you up? No, ma'am. Walking back. Where do you live? Fort Hill, ma'am. -That's a ways. -No. Just five or six miles. But... I cut through the woods. Seven that way. -You must really like the woods. -Yes, ma'am. Sure do. OK. Put some pressure here. -You OK? -Yeah. 'Bye. Where are you going looking all spruced and nice? Met someone yesterday. Nurse over at the hospital. Her name's Dorothy Schutte. -I'm gonna marry her. -Goodness! Does she know that? -Well, not yet. She's about to. -(BERTHA LAUGHS) You ever even spoken to a woman? I mean one that's not family. Spoke to her. Well, in that case, come give your brother a big hug. -Hal! -Come here! Keep your greasy paws off of me! -Wish me luck, Momma! -Good luck. (BIRDSONG) (WHISTLES) (BIRD CHIRPS) (LAUGHS) Next. Grab a seat. -You ever given blood before? -Yes, ma'am, I have. -You're the belt man. -Desmond. Yes, ma'am. Well, Desmond, we can't take your blood two days in a row. That's good. I came to get mine back. -You what? -My blood. I need it back. (LAUGHS) It don't work like that. We can't just give it back to you. Well, you got to. Ever since you stuck me with that needle, my heart's been beating real fast. Every time I think about you, it beats faster still. I never heard that one before. It's pretty corny. -It is? -Yeah. Well, that's a shame. I done practised that all night. -No good? -(LAUGHS) I didn't say that. What's the difference between an artery and a vein? -What are you talking about? -The...the boy's accident. Arteries spurt blood. And veins? Bleed. (LAUGHS) I think you need to practise your boy/girl dating talk at home before you come out. -Yeah, I probably do. -(LAUGHS) I'll give you a book if you're that interested. On dating? (LAUGHS) On blood. (DRAMATIC MUSIC) Another medical question, perhaps? No, I just think you're the prettiest thing I ever seen. That's 'cause I'm sitting in the dark. No. You're just beautiful. (LAUGHS) -(HORN HONKS) -MAN: Out of the way! (LAUGHS) You need to watch where you're going. (GASPS) I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd mind. You didn't ask. I thought you might have liked it. Well, I might have if you'd asked. You coming? MAN: Watch where you're walking! (GASPS) * (DOOR CLOSES) (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) Why didn't you say nothing to us? You would have tried and talked me out of it. -I know what I'm doing is right. -What about his commandment? It's not killing in a war. It's protecting. Loads of boys from our church are going. -Yeah. -HAL: There's a war. And they need men. Working in a paper mill ain't gonna save this country. Looks like a movie star. Our boy. Nice uniform. Good hat. Reminds me of how Artie Giddens looked in his uniform when we went to France. Remember him, Bertha? -Don't, Tom. -What? I'm just saying how snappy Artie looked in his uniform. All you girls certainly seemed to think so. He had them flocking to him. He was most proud. I just hope that when our Hal gets shot, it's through the front of his jacket. Like, a simple entry wound - not much mess. Artie got hit in the back. It blew most of his guts and intestines out his front. Offal everywhere. Wrecked his uniform entirely. (TOM SOBS) It was lucky he was dead so he never knew how awful his uniform looked. Get out of my sight. (BIRDSONG) What are you, part mountain goat? Are you gonna help me, Desmond Doss, or are you just gonna leave me stranded? I'll help you, but it's gonna cost you. -What? -A kiss. (LAUGHS) -That is pure blackmail. -Well, yes, ma'am, it is. -But that is still my condition. -(LAUGHS) That's the deal. DESMOND: Gonna hold you to it. Well, hold on, now. You ain't gonna slap me, are you? 'Cause I fall off, I'm gonna take you with me. Kiss me and find out. (CHATTER) What? I have to enlist. I can't stay here while all them go fight for me. -Yes, you can. Stay here. -Dorothy, I have to. I want to be a medic. I figure I'll be saving people, not killing 'em. I have to go to work. I'm gonna be late. (DOOR CLOSES) Dorothy. Dorothy, darling. Dorothy. Dorothy! So, are you gonna ask me to marry you or what? I don't know. You still gonna have me? Well... I wouldn't know. You haven't asked. Well, I'm asking you. With all my heart and then some. Will you marry me? Then yes. Yes, I will. When? Soon as you get your first leave. But I still don't like you at this moment. Yeah. -OK. -OK. -OK. Well, I love you. -Shh! Momma said come see you here. Yeah. These three were my best friends. I grew up with 'em. I got into trouble with 'em, chased girls with 'em. I enlisted with 'em. Now my friends are there... ..covered in dirt and grass and eaten by worms. I don't want to have to visit my sons here. Daddy, I...I signed up already. I couldn't do otherwise, Pop. -Everybody else is d-doing... -You ain't everybody else! Like, everybody else jumps in, does things quick, without thinking, like the damn idiot fools we were. And soldiers who live, they live 'cause they can do that. You can't! Look, you gotta sit and think and pray about everything. I mean, look at you. You're doing it right now. You won't be able to live with yourself if you go. No, I won't be able to live with myself if I don't. I'm gonna be a medic. That's gonna be my way to serve. See, there you go, thinking it all out. What, you figure this war is just going to fit in with you, your ideas? Well, I know...I don't doubt it's gonna be hard. It won't be hard. It'll be impossible. You know, whatever beliefs you have in your crazy head now, they won't ever play out - it don't work that way. And if by some - I don't know - miracle chance you survive, you won't be giving no thanks to God. MAN: We all need some air. Come on, fellas. Shake a leg. Uncle Sam's got you now. Say goodbye to Momma. Come on. Ladies, please, step away from the bus. -I almost forgot. -MAN: Do I need a crowbar? Here. I want you to have this. It's mine. You keep it right here. Where I'll be. -(DOOR CLOSES) -WOMAN: 'Bye. ALL: 'Bye! I love you. (CHATTER) (PLANES DRONE) (CHATTER) Hey! Sorry, pal. Do I have to gaze at your deformity every time I walk to my bed? Gaze upon it in envy, my friend. You OK there? You look lost. Vacancy right here. Wise choice. It's got views of the mountains down to the lake. Randall Fuller. -Desmond Doss. -Call him Teach. No-one understands a word he says. That's because no-one else here can read. The testicles there belong to a man calling himself Hollywood. They look like they belong to a smaller guy. -(MEN LAUGH) -MAN: You know testicles. Oh, hey! I just got these shoes. Hey, uh...Grease Nolan, outta Red Hook. Where you from? -Virginia. -Hillbilly, huh? You marry your first cousin? -I'm just joking. -Oh! That's Smitty over there, whipping Kirzinski's ass. Like you were doing any better, chowderhead? Hey, I didn't want to embarrass you. Wal Kirzinski. Nice to meet you. Hey, beanpole. What'd you say your name was? Desmond Doss. That's Tex Lewis over there. Thinks he's some kind of cowboy. And, uh, Vito Rinnelli. He may be small, but he is a bulldog. -Hi. -How you doing? -Desmond. -Yeah. -This handsome guy's Lucky Ford. -Hey. That's Walker and Pinnick, pretending they're card sharks. Pipe down, Grease, alright? Unless you want to put your money where your mouth is. (CHUCKLES) Oh, hey. The old, uh...Good Book, right? -Yes, sir. -I think, uh... I think Lucky's got a good book. Right, Lucky? It's a good read. -Attention! -Oh! CORPORAL: Line up! Move it! Let's go! Move it! Move it! You are a very strange-looking individual, if you don't mind me saying so, Private. -Name? -Andy Walker. How long have you been dead, son? -Sir? -I am not 'sir'! I am Sergeant Howell or Sarge. 'Sir', you save for useless people. The name is Ghoul, you say? Walker, S-Sergeant! -Ghoul it is. -Yes, Sergeant! There's something off in your presentation, Private. Can't place it. Is it your hair? Is it the wrinkle in your trousers? I have a knife in my foot, Sergeant. Oh, yes. Of course. That's it. The knife. -What is your name, soldier? -Smitty Ryker. No. Your name is Private Idiot. -You know why? -I have a knife in my foot. Who placed the knife there, Private? It was an accident, Sarge. We was playing stretch. I'm heartened by the knowledge you did not place it there with intention. Who threw the knife? I did, Sergeant. Private Kirzinski. You look part Indian. To what tribe do you belong, son? -No, no, I'm... I'm Polish. -Wrong. I believe you must have Cherokee or Shawnee blood in you. No, Sergeant. Are you contradicting me, you wagon-burning sonofabitch? No, Sergeant! Let me see your Indian war cry, son! -I don't... -(BOTH YELL) -With power! Let me see it! -(YELLS) What is your animal spirit? -Are you a garter snake? -No, Sergeant. -Are you a chipmunk? -No, Sergeant! -Are you a dancing reindeer? -No, Sergeant. Are you contradicting me, Private? -No, Sergeant! -Good. Then I shall henceforth call you Chief, as a sign of great respect to your people. Thank you, Sergeant! Are you grinning at me, boy, or is that your natural state? No, Sergeant. -Name, Private. -Desmond Doss. I have seen stalks of corn with better physiques. Makes me want to pull an ear off, Private. -Can you carry your weight? -Yes, Sergeant. Should be easy for you, then. -Corporal! -Sergeant. Make sure you keep this man away from strong winds. Yes, Sergeant. -Private Idiot. -Yes, Sergeant. Raise your foot. Higher! (GROANS) Everyone outside, now! HOWELL: Move it! -I said move it! -Just getting my uniform, Sarge. -Did I ask him to, Corporal? -No memory of it, Sarge. I believe any man who takes such pride in his natural naked state will surely enjoy the brisk of the outdoors. Now move your privates, Private Parts! Move it! You son of an exhibitionist! * HOWELL: I'm gonna teach you how to tie a bowline knot so you can get your sorry asses down from a height so I may then kick them. Create a loop. This is the rabbit hole. The rabbit comes out of his hole, runs around the tree, goes back into the hole. Alright? Let's go. Very good, Tex. Keep struggling, Teach. -Ever roped a goat, Hollywood? -No, Sarge. Have you ever looked into a goat's eyes? -No, Sarge. -Good. That would be unnatural. You know if you don't breathe, you'll die? Mm-hm. Good, Private Idiot. Congratulations, Greaseball. You just fell 50 feet and broke your neck! Brilliant. Private Vito Rinnelli. You strangled yourself, numbnuts. -Are you a fan of Benito? -No, Sergeant. Then get taller. If you were American, you'd be taller. What have we got here, Doss? One for each titty. You were tying a bowline, boy, not building a bra. (LAUGHS) What is so funny, Corporal? Couldn't tell you, Sergeant. Come on! Come on, ladies. Pick it up! Move it, move it! I want to see some fire here! A little hustle! Show me something! Run like you mean it! -(WHISTLING) -Down, down, down! (HOWELL CONTINUES SHOUTING) Move, move! Move! I want to see you work! Let's go! Don't forget behind your ears! Let's go! Move! I bet you're enjoying this, you naked degenerate. Let's go! Hustle! Hustle! Hustle! Move! -(GRUNTS) -HOWELL: Let's go! What are we waiting on? Let's go! Move your ass! Grip the wood! Grip the wall! Don't get splinters! Drive! -(GRUNTS) -(CRIES OUT) -Are you OK? -DESMOND: Yeah, I'm fine. HOWELL: Some spirit here, boys! Move! What the hell is wrong with you? No-one said take a rest! Move your asses to the finish line! Move! Move! Hustle! Hustle! Get your asses across that line! -(GRUNTS) -Nice work, Doss! (MEN PANT) This is a personal gift from the United States Government to each and every one of you. A standard-issue US rifle. Calibre .30, M1 - a clip-fed, shoulder-fired semiautomatic weapon designed to bring death and destruction to the enemy. This is to be your lover, your mistress, your concubine. Perhaps the only thing in life you will ever truly love. Fellas, let's dance. Grab a girl. Don't point your gun forward. I do not want to be shot today no matter how much you are tempted. Place the weapon by your side. Pay attention. Problem, Private Cornstalk? Is there not one in your size or is it the colour that is the issue? No, Sarge. I was...I was told I don't have to carry a weapon. Come again? Step forward. I can't be hearing this right. Well, I'm sorry, Sergeant... ..I can't touch a gun. (HORN TOOTS) MAN: What exactly is the problem? No problem, just a mistake, sir. I...I told the Army when I joined up... That's not possible. Do you know why it's not possible, Private? No, sir. Because the United States Army does not make mistakes. So if there's a problem, you must be that problem. I was just never supposed to be sent to a rifle company. He's a CO, sir. You're a conscientious objector and you joined the army? Well, no, sir, I'm... I'm a conscientious cooperator. -Are you screwing with me, Doss? -No. No, sir. I volunteered. I ain't got no problem with wearing my uniform or saluting the flag and doing my duty, it's just...just carrying a gun and the taking of human life. -You don't kill, that's all? -Yes, sir, that's all. You know quite a bit of killing does occur in a war? Yes, sir. I mean, that is the essential nature of war. -Yes, sir. -Right. Do you have other requirements of the United States Army? Is there anything else we can do to ensure you have a comfortable stay here with us? He doesn't wanna work on Saturdays, sir. Well, Saturdays... I'm a Seventh-day Adventist, so Saturday is my Sabbath, so I'm not allowed to work then. I don't think that poses a problem. Do you, Sergeant? We shall simply ask the enemy not to invade on the Sabbath because Private Doss here is at prayer. Right. Now we got that clear. Now let me tell you my requirements. They're not as complicated as yours, they're very simple. As long as you're in this company, under my command, you will obey my orders. Period. If you can't do it here, I can't trust you to do it in battle. I'm putting you in for a section 8 - psychiatric discharge. Dismissed. HOWELL: Gentlemen! I want you to meet Private Desmond Doss. Apparently, Private Doss does not believe in violence. He does not practise violence. He will not even deign to touch a weapon. You see, Private Doss is a conscientious objector. So I plead with you, do not look to him to save you on the battlefield because he will undoubtedly be too busy wrestling with his conscience to assist. -Sarge, that's not true. -Private! As you were! Now, I realise some of you might have strong feelings about this. It is what we men fight for - to defend our rights and to protect our women and children. Even if Private Doss's beliefs might cause women and children to die. So I will expect everyone in this company to give Private Doss the full measure of respect he is DUE for the short time he will be with us. -(SIGHS) -Am I clear? OTHERS: Yes, Sergeant! (MEN CHATTER) What you got there, Dessie? -You know what that is. -It just seems kinda small. It's half the Bible for half the man. For Pete's sake, Smitty, give him back his Bible. I don't remember speaking to you. So how come you don't fight? You think you're better than us? No. What if you was attacked? -Uhh! -Whoa! Say, like that. The Bible says to turn the other cheek, don't it? See, I don't think this is a question of religion, fellas. I think this is cowardice plain and simple. Is that right, Doss? Are you chicken shit? That it? Go on, take a poke! Tell you what, I'll give you a free shot. Right there. Hit me, Doss. Go on. -MAN 1: Let him have it. -MAN 2: Go ahead. No? MAN: Chicken shit. Oh! Oh! -What is this? -Give me that. -This is a fine-looking broad. -(WOLF WHISTLING) -Nice. -Hey, pass it around. Now, this would be the kind of broad that deserves a real man. -Give me that back. -Please. -Please. -"Please give it back, Smitty." Please give it back, Smitty. Do you hear voices, Desmond? No, sir. But I understand that God talks to you. Is that right? Sir, I'm not a crazy person. Is that how you feel most people regard you, a crazy person? I'm...I'm different. I know that. But... ..I'm not going to pretend to be something I'm not. -I am what I am. -Sounds lonely. You lonely? -So you don't hear voices. -No, sir. I pray to God and I like to think he hears me, but it ain't a conversation like the one we're pretending to have right now. -(CHUCKLES) -Pretending, Private? Well, yes, sir, I know all you really want to do is give me a section 8, drum me out of the army, but I'm not off up above, I just simply believe what I believe. Well, I'm trying to understand, right? Was it God who told you not to pick up a rifle? God says not to kill. That's one of his most important commandments. Most people take that to mean, "Don't commit murder." War is a completely different set of circumstances. Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you "that you love one another just as I have loved you." This is Satan himself we're fighting. Surely as a good Christian you can see that. I can see that, sir, and that is why I joined up. But, I'm sorry, I will not bear arms. His religious views are certainly unique, but they do not constitute grounds for a section 8 discharge. How do I maintain discipline with a man like that in my unit? I don't know. But he is a legitimate conscientious objector and he must be allowed to work as a combat medic provided he qualifies in all other areas of his training. Perhaps we could help make leaving his idea. Yeah, you restrict him to barracks and KP. If he throws God at you, you throw hell right at him. I want him gone. (SIGHS) * (GRUNTS) Doss, your area is a disgrace. It's a pigsty! -Something funny, Ryker? -No, Sarge. -You got some shit on your mind? -No, Sarge. What you men fail to recognise is a unit is no better than its weakest member. Now, to help you learn that lesson, there will be no passes this weekend. You will all be on KP! Right now, everybody in full gear for a 20-mile hike. Let's go! Let's go! (MEN PANT) HOWELL: Get your heads right. Don't start feeling sorry for yourself. Makes me sick, see you feel sorry for yourself. You dogs don't know what tired is. We're gonna keep going till I drop. Hold him down! Move that towel off! -(DESMOND GRUNTS AND GROANS) -(OTHERS GRUNT) Hey, knock...knock it off! Trying to sleep here. (PANTS AND GRUNTS) Get off me! Get off me. (PANTS) Why the hell are you still here? (PLAYS BUGLE CALL) -(MEN CHATTER) -Attention! As you were. Where's Doss? This isn't good for anybody. Sure ain't what I joined up for. It's not about what you joined up for. It's about the lives of every man in here. And yours, son. It's time to quit this. Finish getting dressed and I'll walk you down. It's OK, Doss. There's no shame in this. Let's go. I got extra guard duty today and I'm on KP this morning, so... ..can't. Alright, Doss. Private Doss, can you identify the men that beat you? No, Sarge. Are you saying that you don't know who attacked you? I never said I was attacked, Sarge. Well, what the hell are you saying, Doss? You bruised half your body sleeping? I...I sleep pretty hard. (SNIGGERS) If you plan on getting wet this weekend, make sure you put on a hat. Next! Don't want anyone coming back pissing cream. What, you don't want none for your coffee, Sarge? How about a shot right now, Smitty? -You speaking from experience? -Next. You'd have to ask your mom about that, Greaseball. -(LAUGHTER) -Room! At ease. Private Doss, I'm afraid I can't authorise your pass. This is a furlough for men who have passed the basic training. Well, sir, respectfully, sir, I have. I put in for this furlough three weeks ago. I'm getting married this afternoon. It says you're not rifle-qualified. Well, I'm not required to carry a rifle, sir. Colonel Stelzer... Colonel Stelzer's determination was, "Doss must be allowed to work as a combat medic "provided he qualifies in all other areas of his training." And you have not qualified on the rifle range, Private. Pretty clear. Show me you know how to handle a rifle and I'll sign your furlough. -Corporal Cannon... -Sir! ..hand Private Doss your firearm. I won't touch a rifle, sir. I'm not asking you, Private! That is a direct order from a company commander! For God's sake, Doss, you stop this nonsense and quit. Refuse and I will have no recourse but to court martial you and you will spend the duration of the war in a military prison. I can't, sir. How much longer would you like to wait, Dorothy? I think it's been long enough. I'm so very sorry. Sometimes men just get cold feet. Some men might. Not my Desmond. (SCREAMS) (GRUNTS) (SCREAMS) You probably think I'm a real sonofabitch who cares only about regulations and not his men. May I? I believe in this book as much as any man. And just like any man, I wrestle with my conscience. But what do you do when everything you value in this world is under attack? I don't know, sir. I ain't got answers to questions that big. But I also feel like my values are under attack and I don't know why. I don't give a rat's ass about your principles because the Japs don't. If one attacks you and a wounded soldier, what are you gonna do? Hit him with your Bible? I'm prepared to give my life for my men. You don't win wars by giving up your life. Look, I'm only here because I don't want to see you rotting in a prison cell. Plead guilty, throw yourself at the mercy of the court. Maybe they'll let you go home and pray. Let the brave men out there go and win this war. (DOOR OPENS) If I can't convince you, maybe she can. -They wouldn't let me call you. -(KISSES) I knew it wasn't your making. What have they done to you? -Ahh! Sss... -(GASPS) It's OK, I'm alright. I just went a couple of rounds with the wall and lost. They're saying you could go to prison, Desmond. Leavenworth. There must be some other way. I don't know what that can be. I've done everything they asked me except this one thing and I'm treated like a criminal just because I won't kill. You tried. Nobody can say you didn't. But who you going to save in prison? Probably nobody. Then why can't you pick up the stupid gun and wave it around? You don't have to use it, just meet them halfway. -I can't do that. -Yes, you can. It's just pride. Pride and stubbornness! Don't confuse your will with the Lord's. Have I been prideful? Maybe I am prideful. But I don't know how I'm going to live with myself if I don't stay true to what I believe. Much less how you could live with me. I'd never be the man that I want to be in your eyes. I fell in love with you because you weren't like anyone else. And you didn't try to be. Do not think for one moment that you will disappoint me. I will love you no matter what. I don't know what he's gonna do. He loses no matter what. They want him to plead guilty but then he'll get a dishonourable discharge. Otherwise he fights them and he for sure goes to prison. Either way, they'll call him a coward and I don't see how he can live with that. Well, thank you, Dorothy. If you get to talk to him, tell him that we love him and that we're praying for him. We're praying for both of you. I will. Bye-bye. (TOM AND BERTHA ARGUE INDISTINCTLY) TOM: Leave me alone. Will you just go?! -Are you out of your mind? -Of course I'm out of my mind! -What do you think I am... -For once I have to agree. -(PANTS) -You leave this room. No, Tom, put it down! -Get away from me, woman! -Hey! (GRUNTS) -(SCREAMS) -(GASPS) (PANTS) I got that, sir. (OFFICE HUBBUB) -(CLEARS THROAT) -May I help you, sir? I wish to speak to Brigadier General Musgrove. Not without an appointment you can't. That would be quite impossible. If you would kindly tell him Corporal Thomas Doss would appreciate a brief word. He's in a very important meeting. I fought with him in France at Belleau Wood. He was my captain. Please, ma'am, it's most vital. Thank you, ma'am. (SOFTLY) There's a man out there, Tom Doss. Doss? Be over in a minute. You'll be home safe and sound like nothing ever happened. (CHUCKLES) (SOFTLY) I love you. (SPEAKS INAUDIBLY) This is a hearing into the matter of Private Desmond Doss. The charge is disobeying a series of direct orders from his commanding officer. How says the defendant? Private Doss wishes to enter a not-guilty plea. Is that so, Private? I thought this was agreed. You wanted to enter some sort of plea bargain. Yes, sir, but I changed my mind. Just like that, you wish to proceed to a court martial? -Yes, sir. -(GRUNTS) Well, on your head, then, Private. Proceed. Your Honour, Private Doss waves his morality at us like it's some kind of badge of honour. He flaunts his contempt by directly disobeying a series of direct orders from his commanding officer when the very best of our young men are sacrificing their lives against... -You OK? -Yes. -Are they still deliberating? -Yes, sir. OK, now, you go take this in there. I can't - it's strictly military personnel. Well, then you get one of them to take it in. They ain't out to help. They're fixing to bury him. There is only one question that any military court need ask of the accused. Do you deny disobeying Colonel Sangston's direct orders? Well, do you, Private? No, sir, I don't. Why are you contesting it, then? Why is it so important to you, given your refusal to even touch a weapon, to serve in a combat unit? Because when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, I took it personal. Everyone I knew was on fire to join up, including me. There were two men in my home town declared 4-F unfit, they killed themselves because they couldn't serve. I had a job in a defence plant and I could've taken a deferment, but that ain't right. It isn't right that other men should fight and die that I would just be sitting at home safe. I need to serve. I got the energy and the passion to serve as a medic. Right in the middle with the other guys. No less danger, just... ..while everybody else is taking life, I'm going to be saving it. With the world so set on tearing itself apart, it doesn't seem like such a bad thing to me to want to put a little bit of it back together. Hmm. -Sorry, sir, nobody's allowed... -No, you don't understand. -My son is the defendant. -I understand, sir. -But nobody's allowed... -I have information... (MUFFLED CONVERSATION CONTINUES) JUDGE: While the sentiments expressed are laudable, the facts of the charge seem incontestable, so... -(DOOR RATTLES) -(ARGUING CONTINUES) What the hell is going on out there? -..get in there, sir. -Let him go. -That's a Great War uniform. -TOM: It is, sir. Sir, I need to show you this. With respect, sir, you are no longer a member of the military. You are unable to attend this hearing. I'm sorry. Is that truly the way it works, sir? You fight for your country, you lose so much that was dear to you and then you're done with? Your uniform is forgotten, you have no voice? -You were at Lys? -I was, sir. -And at Belleau Wood. -Twice decorated I see. Yes, sir. I take it you are the private's father. I am, sir. Thomas Doss. Then as a former military man, you know there are laws here... Sir, I know the law and I know my son is protected by those laws. They are framed in our Constitution. And I believe in them as he does. They are why I went and fought to protect them. Least that is what I thought I was doing because if it wasn't for that then I have no idea what the hell I was doing there, sir. Thank you, Corporal Doss. Let me have the letter. You must go. (READS) "The defendant's rights as a conscientious objector "are protected by an Act of Congress "and he cannot be compelled to waive those rights. "That includes, in this case, "his disobeying orders to bear arms." Signed - Brigadier General Musgrove. War Services Commander, Washington, DC. Colonel? I withdraw the charges, sir. Then this case is dismissed. Private Doss, you are free to run into the hellfire of battle without a single weapon to protect yourself. You may resume your duties and begin training as a combat medic. (DOROTHY GASPS AND GIGGLES) -Where is he? -Gone. Straight after. I begged him to stay. -I told him you'd want to... -I understand. When you get home, you tell him I love him. -OK. -OK. You better come home to me. * (HOLLYWOOD SINGS) # Uncle Sam is mild, he's peaceful as a child -# But never get him riled... # -MAN: Dammit, cut it out! -MAN 2: Hollywood, shut up! -# So now you wanna play... # -Come on, pipe down! -Shut up, man! I swear to God, I will shoot you! Put a sock in it! Save the crowing for when we get there. Killjoy was here. Give them room! MAN: Clear, clear! Move aside! (SOLEMN MUSIC) (COUGHS AND GROANS) The 96th or what's left of 'em. These are the guys we're replacing. (INSECTS CHIRP) Huh! -LUCKY: Seems good to me. -SMITTY: As gold. -We're good. -All clear, Sarge! (MEN CHATTER LOWLY) Captain Glover? Lieutenant Manville, 96th. We've been assigned to you, sir. OK. -Let's get these men some chow. -MAN: Yes, sir. -This is Sergeant Howell. -HOWELL: Good to meet you, sir. Who's Doss? Over there. You Doss? Irv Schecter. Ugh. You, and me and Page here are about the only medics we got left in this area, so I guess we're gonna be working together. -You just come off the line? -What's it like? (SCHECTER INHALES AND EXHALES HEAVILY) I said, what's it like? Hacksaw? We climbed up six times, six times they threw us off. The last time, there wasn't anything left of the 96th. They're animals. Stinkin' animals. Nips don't care if they live or die. They wanna die. They keep coming at you. And they ain't never gonna give up. Never. Here. There, buddy. SCHECTER: The Japs deliberately target the wounded. Lose all your Red Cross markings. Nips put a premium on shooting medics. The white's a bullseye. Here. I got you a new helmet. One size fits all. GLOVER: That's our objective - Hacksaw Ridge. We take it, maybe we get Okinawa. We get Okinawa, we take Japan. Take a breather. Our pals in the navy will soften them up for us. (CREAKING AND WHIRRING) (WHOOSHING) (DISTANT BOOMING) Nobody can survive that shit. Oh, but they can. (WHOOSHING CONTINUES) Lieutenant, these bunkers here, here and here - is that accurate? Yes, sir, they... (MANVILLE COUGHS AND RETCHES) Yes, sir, maybe a little further back. But it's all... ..it's all different up there. MAN ON RADIO: All clear, Captain. Gents, move out! -It's blood. -No shit. We're not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy. Keep climbing. Here. Come on. Give me your hand. (OMINOUS MUSIC) Coming through. Make way. Out of the way. (SOLDIERS SPEAK QUIETLY) (LOWLY) Brown, oi. Get this to Jessop. BROWN: Corporal. (QUIET, TENSE MUSIC) (SOLDIERS MUTTER LOWLY) MAN: Jesus... (TREMBLES) (FLIES BUZZ) -Oh! -(RAT SQUEAKS) God! (MURMURS) (BOTH SCREAM) (GUNSHOTS) MAN: Incoming! (SCREAMS) MAN: Get down! Get down! -Get down! -Incoming! -(MUTED AUDIO) -Get down! Over here! Arggh! Where the hell are they? I can't see nothing! -Beats me, pal. -Where the fu...! -(TREMBLES) -MAN: Help! Medic, help! MAN 2: Over here! (SCREAMS) Put your hand right here. Put your hand on there, Jack. Come on, come on. We're gonna get you under cover. Come on. Come with me. Come with me, Jack. Arggh! HOWELL: Keep moving forward! Move! Huh... Arggh! (PANTS SHAKILY) HOWELL: Get up there! GREASE: I can't see anything! -Is that one? -I don't know. Just shoot! (MEN SHOUT IN JAPANESE IN DISTANCE) -Alright, let's go. -Hah! (GRUNTS) -Vito! Come here. -Ugh! -(SOLDIERS SHOUT) -Oh, shit! (MEN SCREAM) -(RINNELLI MOANS) -Medic! Vito's down! -I'm coming! -OK. Here. Arggh! Get out of the way! (BOTH GRUNT) Oh, oh, oh... MAN: Go, go! Oh, ugh! -You hurt? -I'm fine. (MAN SCREAMS) (MOANS AND SCREAMS) Come on. (SCREAMS) Come on. I got you, Ralph. -Just breathe. -(CONTINUES SCREAMING) Just breathe. Just breathe! -Arggh! -It's OK. It's OK. -Arggh... -Just breathe, Ralph. Just breathe. -I got you, I got you. -SCHECTER: Come on. Hey hey! Give him a shot of morphine and move on. -He's not gonna last a day. -RALPH: Please, please! Doss, no! No. Don't leave me. Don't leave me! God, please don't leave me. I've got kids! Please. Please don't. Please don't leave me. I ain't going anywhere. I'm gonna get you home. I got you, Ralph, OK? I'm gonna get you home. Here comes the morphine. Here comes the morphine. It's gonna kick in real quick, Ralph. We're gonna get you shifted. Stretcher! Stretcher! -Get up! Keep moving, son. -I can't. I'm wounded. There's nothing wrong with you. Shit! Hang on, kid. Move! A sitting duck's a dead one. Move! Go, go, go! -Here. -This guy's a priority. We got him, we got him. MAN: Put him down. Put him down here. A priority? You ever hear of triage? He'll be dead before we get him down. You don't know that! Get him down, alright? -Huh? -OK, OK. -OK. -Go, go! It's alright, buddy. We're gonna get you home. (PROJECTILES WHISTLE AND EXPLODE) Medic! Help! Help! I figure if we can't see them then they can't see us neither. MAN: Help! (SOLDIER SHOUTS IN JAPANESE) I got you, Frank. Where you hit? (SOLDIERS YELL IN JAPANESE) I think they can see us, smart-ass! -MAN: Doss, come on. -DESMOND: Come on. Give me a hand here. Get down, sir. Over there! The bunkers! I see them. You better stay down, sir. -I got 'em, dead ahead. -Yeah, yeah, I see 'em too. Push in as close as you can. Give them everything you've got. I'll send in the weapons team to flank them. Come on. You keep that tight, you're gonna be right as rain. -Alright? -I got him, Doss. I got him. Here you go. Come on now. Hey. You doing OK? -I'm OK. -(BOOMING) (SOLDIERS SHOUT IN JAPANESE) And fire! (SOLDIERS SCREAM) -Down! -(YELLS IN JAPANESE) Ugh! -MAN: Fire! -Sonofabitch! -You! Get on it! -Yes, sir. You, feed him. Go, go. Fire! Smoke! Cover! -Go, go! Go, Ghoul! -Huh! -Get in the hole, stay there! -Oh, mother...! Go! Go, Smitty. We'll cover you. Leapfrog! Cover! GHOUL: Arggh! Satchel! -Ghoul! -Clear. Come on. Stick it. Stick it, Ghoul. Cover! Cover! Sonofabitch. Cover his ass! (SOLDIERS SHOUT IN JAPANESE) (SOLDIERS EXCLAIM) -Go! -(ALL SHOUT) (GRUNTING AND YELLING) MAN: Help! Medic! I'm here. Put your hand on it. Put your hand on it! (MEN SCREAM AND GRUNT) Arggh! Huh! (GRUNTS) Uhh! (MUTED AUDIO) MAN: Go, go, go! Hold the line! (SOLDIERS SCREAM) Hah! Ghoul? Ghoul? -Huh! Oh! -Hey! You're OK. Where you hit? -I don't know. I don't know. -OK. You got a bump on the head. That's OK. OK, what's your name? -Andy. -Andy what? Andy Walker. Also known as? (CHUCKLES) Ghoul. Ghoul. Ghoul, you're OK, you're OK. (MEN GRUNT) GLOVER: Good job, men! Good work! Dig in for the night. We hold this spot. We mop up the rest of the ridge tomorrow. OK, boys, find yourself a nice safe hole in or near the bunker. Rotate watch every two hours. We don't know what's out there. Heads down, asses lower. And shoot anything that don't speak English. -LUCKY: That include Grease? -Particularly him. I don't care if you need to take a piss or a dump, it ain't safe to go out there alone. Where the hell are you going, Doss? Still more wounded out there, Sarge. I'll go with him. HOWELL: Be smart. Keep your ears down. Alright, let's find a spot. What makes you happy? Smarter ways to get around the city? Like driving past the petrol pump with the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Prius Prime ` goes up to 63km on electric alone... and has an unbelievably efficient fuel consumption. Whoa. That is clever. Plus, with Toyota Safety Sense technology, like Adaptive High Beam and Intelligent Park Assist, it's one of the smartest ways to get around ` all for a very smart Toyota Driveaway price. * (FIRES CRACKLE) TEACH: Rinnelli and Henry dead in the first 15 minutes, just straight off. Straight off. KIRZINSKI: Peterson, Popeye, Standford and Murphy. Page and Unger. Ralston. "In peace, sons bury their fathers. "In war, fathers bury their sons." You wanna stop spouting that crap, huh? -It don't help none. -Hmph. Yeah...yeah, you got that right. Not here. (LIGHTER CLICKS) Hey, give me that. (MAN MOANS) DESMOND: Hey, hey, we've got an abdominal wound. This man is gonna need some plasma. -MAN: You got it. -MAN 2: Leave him with us. DESMOND: You're OK now. They got you. (INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER RADIO) Shall we find a hole and dig in? Sounds good to me. DESMOND: Put your helmet on. You ain't gonna eat them? I don't eat meat. Help yourself. Huh. Of course you don't. That's one heck of a dame. You know you're fighting out of your weight class with her, don't you? (CHUCKLES) Yes, I do. Don't tell her that. She'd be much happier with a man like me anyway. Yeah, until she got to know you. Yeah, I'm an asshole sometimes. -Sometimes? -(CHUCKLES) Huh. Yeah, alright, alright. (CLATTERING) (SQUEAKING) Ugh... SMITTY: These Japs are sneaky. I'll take first watch while you get some shut-eye. (STAMMERS) (EXHALES HEAVILY) (POP!) (FIZZING) (BOOMING) -Uhh! -(SOLDIERS YELL) Huh...hyah! (GASPS) Hell of a dream. (DESMOND EXHALES) (CHUCKLES) I dreamed...I dreamed I got myself skewered. I couldn't do nothing. Rifle's just there. It won't bite. Yeah, it will. Look around you. After what we've just been through, any sane man would be screaming for a weapon. I never claimed to be sane. My daddy's a drunk. He fought it for years, but it kind of got a hold of him hard and made him mean. At least you know him. Mine could've been any one of 10 guys and none of them worth a damn, so... -So your momma raised you? -I knew her. But she gave me to an orphanage when I was five, never saw her again. I learnt how to hate quick. I learnt how to judge people quicker and I got you very wrong. My daddy used to beat me and my brother just 'cause the sun rose and then whip us just 'cause it set. I could take that. But when he would do it to our momma... -Get away from me, woman! -(SCREAMS) (GRUNTS) (SHRIEKS) That's enough! No more! -Do you hear me?! -Pull the damn trigger! -(DESMOND COCKS GUN) -Stop it! STOP! But you didn't kill him? In my heart, I did. (WEEPS) So that's why I made my promise to God - "I ain't never gonna touch a gun again." Well, I ain't giving you mine 'cause you're crazy. * (SOLDIERS SHUFFLE) (MAN SHOUTS IN JAPANESE) (SOLDIERS YELL) Oh, sonofa... LUCKY: Sonofabitch! (SOLDIERS YELL) Oh! Ugh! MAN: Go, go, go! Fall back, fall back! Fall back! Move, move! Get your asses over there! Come on, Lucky! Let's go! HOWELL: Get in here! Hurry up! Fall back, fall back! Go! They're coming from underground. Searchlight, this is Baker Six. Request immediate support. -Target is Yoke Tare 5-1-5. -(INDISTINCT CHATTER ON RADIO) Yes, yes, I know that's where the hell we are, but I don't expect to be here much longer! -I called an artillery strike. -Fall back! Move! Move! (DRAMATIC MUSIC) HOWELL: Fall back! Incoming! (MAN CALLS OUT) (SCREAMING) Arggh! (MAN WHIMPERS) Hey, hey. Right here, right here. (GUNSHOTS) OK. Cover me. Go, go! Arggh! (HOWELL MOANS) Get out of here, kid! Come here, son. You know what to do. Keep pressure on it. (SCHECTER GROANS) No! Don't need plasma. Give it to him, over there. I'll be OK. Go, go. Grease! Get Irv back. -You got it. OK. -I'll see you soon. (GAGS AND COUGHS) OK, OK. GREASE: Alright, come on. Come on! (GRUNTS) We gotta move right now. Come on, come on. (MAN MOANS) Huh! Sonofabitch! Huh! You sonofabitch! (BOTH GRUNT AND YELL) (SOLDIERS SHOUT) MAN: Go, go, go, go! Teach! MAN: There's too many! Get the hell out of here! Move! Move! (GRUNTS) (GASPS) (BREATHES WITH DIFFICULTY) I'm scared. I'm scared. It's gonna help the pain. No, don't. Don't you do that! Come on! Come on, Smitty, you stay with me. Let's go. We gotta move! Hey, help me get him down! Help me get him down! Come on, let's move! Come on! Can't help him, buddy, he's gone. -No. -Come on! -We gotta get outta here! -SOLDIER: Let's go! Come on, let's go! SOLDIER: Come on! Everyone! Off the ridge! (SOMBRE MUSIC) (SOBS) What is it you want of me? I don't understand. I can't hear you. SOLDIER: Medic, help me! Help me! Help... Arggh! ANOTHER SOLDIER: Help me, Lord! Alright. (DETERMINED MUSIC) -You're in good hands. -Easy does it. Easy. SOLDIER: I'm coming through here! Six. Eight. 14. OFFICER: Get these men secured immediately. Private Ford, how many? 32 only came down, sir. Good Lord. -Let's load 'em up. -Yes, sir. (EXPLOSIONS) (SOLDIER GRUNTS) Eric, it's Desmond. We're gonna fix you up. You just got to keep breathing, OK? Colonel wants to see you, sir. I need your jeep. You two stay here, keep watch, keep your eyes peeled for Japs. -No, but... -Stay here! Keep watch! -Yes, sir! -Yes, sir! Help. Help me. Watch out! I got you. OK. Put your hand on it. Keep pressure on it. I'm comin' back, OK? OK. (SOLDIERS YELL) Move, move, move. Keep this going down. -Moving down. -Easy, fellas, easy. Here we go. OK, guys, count of three. One, two, three! -Help. Medic over here. -(WHIMPERS) Hey, hey, it's OK, buddy, hold it together. We're at the edge, Eric. You just sit tight, OK? You're OK, Eric. You're OK, buddy. Son of a gun, this is gonna work. -(ERIC MOANS) -One for each leg, Eric. We're gonna get you trussed up in a jiffy and get you down. -I got you. -(ERIC GROANS) I got you now, Eric. You have to trust me now, Eric. You'll have to trust me. (ERIC GROANS) -Japs! -HANK: Hold on! One of ours! Let's go, let's go! I got ya. I got ya. I got ya. Come on, I got ya. You're OK. You're OK. (GROANS) SOLDIER: Hank, another one. Colonel, call off the artillery attack on Hacksaw. Couldn't call it in. There's still over 100 men left up there. Tell them to call off the artillery on Hacksaw. PA: Able Baker one, over. Sit down, Jack. I'll get you a drink. (FIRING STOPS) We just lost our cover. They're stirrin'. We got to move. Come on. SOLDIER: About time! They just keep coming. -Pick it up. -I got this. (SOLDIER GROANS) (JAPANESE SOLDIER SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY) (BLADE CUTS) -Arggh! -(JAPANESE SOLDIER YELLS) (JAPANESE SOLDIER SPEAKS JAPANESE) WOUNDED SOLDIER: Doss. Doss. Help. Help me. (GUNSHOT) You're gonna have to trust me. Take a breath. Let's go, buddy. Let's go. * Jack, you don't know if your men are dead or alive. You can't go back up there without reinforcements. -You'll end up killing the rest. -Give me the reinforcements. I don't have any fresh men, OK? I don't have any troops. Three battalions got wiped out today. It'll take more than a day to get men in. I need them faster than that. (SOLDIER GROANS) (EXPLOSION ECHOES) (DRAMATIC MUSIC) (INDISTINCT VOICES) (SOLDIERS CONVERSE IN JAPANESE) (SOLDIER BREATHES HEAVILY) It's OK. It's OK. It's OK. It's alright. It's alright. It's OK. Morphine. It's good. -(SOLDIER BREATHES HEAVILY) -Shh. (GUNFIRE AND YELLING) Pinnick. Pinnick. Pinnick. It's Doss. It's Doss. Be quiet. I got you. Are you hit? Yeah. I can't see. Be quiet. Just be quiet. Hold still now. I got you. Hold tight. There you go. Try now. Try now. I thought I was blind. -(GIGGLES) -Shh! Keep it down. -Can you walk? -I don't know. -We gotta get out of here. -OK. SOLDIER: Good. OK, we got you. We got you. Hey, Ted. It's me. It's Desmond. I'm gonna fix you up. -You ready to get out of here? -I sure am. Please, Lord, help me get one more. Help me get one more. (GROANS) Please help me get one more. (GROANS) One more. Help me get one more. One more. Help me get one more. One more. Coming through! Where the hell are these guys coming from? -From Hacksaw. -I thought they pulled out. Not all of them. Some nut's up there dragging wounded from the top. Even lowered a couple of Japs. They didn't make it. Back with you directly. STRETCHER BEARER: Easy, easy. SOLDIER: All set, move out. -Alright, let's go. -Where to? There's one coming. (SOLDIERS YELL) Hey, hey, hey, hey. Get in here. There's Nips everywhere. Son of a bitch. Private Cornstalk, you're full of surprises. -Ugh! -You want some morphine? Hell, yes, that or a bullet. OK. There. There you go. -Alright, let me see. -(GROANS) -Let me see. How's this doing? -Ugh! OK, not bad. Let me see. It looks much worse than it is. Girls will still wanna kiss you. Sarge, you OK here for a while? Yeah, fine. Get out of here. I'm coming back. You ready? Let's go. You and me, come on. (WOUNDED SOLDIER GROANS) * SOLDIER: We need stretchers over here. (WHISTLES) Captain, there's something you gotta see. Our guys have been coming down all night. And Hollywood's here. I never thought I'd see that guy again. Come on. Follow me. What the hell is this? SOLDIER: How you doing, sir? -Hey, Cap! -Captain. -It's good to see you, kid. -Captain Glover, sir. -How'd you get down, son? -Doss. Howell's still up there. Howell and Doss did this? Mostly just Doss. -Just Doss? -Just Doss. Yeah, Doss, the coward. (GROANS) (GUNSHOT) (DRAMATIC MUSIC) Ugh! (GROANS) -You're like gum on a shoe. -Give me this. It's a bit late for target practice. -Jump on it. -You're kidding. -No, I'm going to drag you. -(JAPANESE SOLDIERS SPEAK) HOWELL: Let's do it! -Ready? -Yeah. Let's go! (GUNFIRE AND YELLING) We got company! Come on. Arggh! (GUNFIRE CONTINUES, SOLDIERS YELL) Arms up! You gotta be kidding me. You're tying a bowline, not building a bra. Come on. -Ready? -Uh-huh. Get on! Arggh! (JAPANESE SOLDIERS YELL) (HOWELL GROANS) -HOWELL: Put me down! -Yes, Sarge. -Sergeant Howell. -Doss is still up there. -(SOLDIERS YELL) -What the hell? He's got Japs on his tail. Arggh! Arggh! SOLDIER: We got him. That's good. That's good. It's OK. It's OK, Doss. -Come on, Doss, come on. -You're safe. -OK. OK. -Come on, Doss. Come on. Desmond, it's alright, it's alright. It's alright. It's alright, Desmond. Desmond. Easy, easy. Here, come on. Are you wounded? No. Let's get this soldier to a hospital tent right now. Come on, easy now. Make some space. MAN: We need someone to help clean up in here. Where's Irv? Irv? You mean Schecter, the medic? He didn't make it. He died of shock. No plasma. Sorry. All I saw was a skinny kid. I didn't know who you were. You've done more than any other man could have done in the service of his country. And I have never been more wrong about someone in my life. I hope one day you can forgive me. We have to go back up tomorrow. I realise that tomorrow is your Sabbath. Most of these men don't believe the same way you do. But they believe so much in how much you believe. What you did on that ridge is nothing short of a miracle, and they want a piece of it. And they're not going to go up there without you. (EXPLOSION IN DISTANCE) COLONEL ON PHONE: What is your delay? You were supposed to begin that assault 10 minutes ago. -We're waiting, sir. -Waiting for what?! For Private Doss to finish praying for us, sir. COLONEL: Private Doss is praying for you? Who the hell is Private Doss? (EXPLOSION IN DISTANCE) Let's go to work. (EPIC MUSIC) -SOLDIER 1: DOWN! GET DOWN! -SOLDIER 2: GET ON THE GROUND! SOLDIER 1: ON THE GROUND! NOW! (YELLING CONTINUES) (YELLS IN JAPANESE) (DRAMATIC MUSIC) (WOUNDED SOLDIER GROANS) STRETCHER BEARER: Lay down. I got the morphine. Let's go! Get these men out of here! Go! My Bible. My Bible! -My Bible. -TEACH: Stop. Stop, stop, stop. Stop! My Bible, my Bible, my Bible. OK. (BLADE RINGS) (BLADE RINGS) You're going home, Desmond. We've taken Hacksaw. GREASE: Hold up, hold up! Desmond! Desmond. (GENTLE MUSIC) (BREATHES DEEPLY) I was praying the whole time. I just kept praying, "Lord, please help me get one more." When I got this, I said, "Lord, please help me get one more." HAL DOSS: I would say anyone is wrong to try to compromise somebody's conviction, I don't care whether it's army or what it is. When you're under conviction, that is not a joke. That's what you are. Even though I said those things to him in regard to carrying a rifle, and he would never be by my damn side at all unless he had a rifle, but then, in the long run, finding out that he was one of the bravest persons alive. And then to have him end up saving my life was the irony of the whole thing. Blood had run down into the fella's face and eyes. He was laying there groaning and calling for a medic. I took water from my canteen, got some bandage and I washed his face. And when that blood was washed from his eyes, his eyes came up. Man, he just lit up. He says, "I thought I was blind." And if I hadn't got anything more at the war than that smile he gave me, I'd have been well repaid. (EPIC MUSIC) Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Able 2019