Mel Gibson shares thoughts about turning the other cheek at "Hacksaw Ridge" premiere

Jardine Malado Saturday, November 05, 2016

Actor Mel Gibson attends the photocall for the movie 'Hacksaw Ridge' at the 73rd Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy September 4, 2016. | REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

During the premiere of "Hacksaw Ridge" at the Sheen Center in New York last Wednesday, Academy Award-winning director Mel Gibson expressed his admiration for World War II hero Desmond Doss, who displayed his Christian convictions and turned the other cheek.

The film is based on the true story of Doss, a Seventh Day Adventist who refused to fire a single shot in battle because of his religion. Due to his beliefs, he thought it would be appropriate to serve as a medic during the war. He received the Medal of Honor for saving 75 men during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.

"You can't help but be inspired when you hear about the story, and then when I read the screenplay, I mean, I was a moved. It's a story worth telling. If you're going to spend 18 months or two years on a project you might as well make sure it's a story worth telling and this definitely was," Gibson told The Christian Post.

Prayer became Doss' only weapon in the battlefield. As he single-handedly saved the lives of his comrades, he prayed "Just one more Lord."

In one of the scenes, Doss was assaulted by one of the members of his platoon and was dared to retaliate. He decided instead to follow Jesus' example and turn the other cheek.

"It's pretty tough, even when we were shooting that scene, Andrew and I were like, 'Man, if somebody did that to me, I'd punch him in the face.' But it was absolutely vital that he not do that and that he be better than that or above that," Gibson recalled, referring to actor Andrew Garfield who played Doss.

The director confessed that he himself has trouble trying to turn the other cheek but he admires Doss for his self-control and the great example he set.

Doss died at the age of 87 on March 23, 2006. His remains lie at the Chattanooga National Cemetery in Tennessee.

"Hacksaw Ridge" is now showing in U.S. theaters. The film received a 10-minute standing ovation when it premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September. It has received rave reviews from critics and there have been speculations that it could be nominated for an Oscar.