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Conscientious Objector, The

documentary (Actor), Terry L. Benedict (Director, Writer) Rated:
NR
Format: DVD
4.8 out of 5 stars 367 ratings
IMDb8.1/10.0
Additional DVD options Edition Discs
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DVD
November 8, 2010 		—
1
—
$19.99 $8.88
Genre Documentary
Format NTSC
Contributor Terry L. Benedict, Jeff Wood, documentary
Language English
Runtime 1 hour and 41 minutes

Product Description

The Conscientious Objector is a multiple award-winning documentary which tells the incredible true story of Desmond T. Doss, a World War II hero who never once touched a firearm. An inspiring and life-affirming account of a peaceful man whose religious beliefs spurred him to renounce all weapons and, in the process, allowed for him to save countless lives as a medic on the front lines and, eventually, to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.

When sold by Amazon.com, this product will be manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Product details

  • Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.78:1
  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches; 2.4 ounces
  • Director ‏ : ‎ Terry L. Benedict
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 41 minutes
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ November 8, 2010
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ documentary
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ Cinequest
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000VDZ8Z8
  • Writers ‏ : ‎ Terry L. Benedict, Jeff Wood
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 367 ratings

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
367 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Irry
    5.0 out of 5 stars The documentary makes the movie appear boring
    Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    The movie was great until I watched the documentary. The documentary and its interviews with the men makes the movie appear dull. Doss' story was so much more than the movie could depict.

    Gibson did a fine job with the movie, but it would have been nice to see more events from real life. For example, Captain Cunningham was one of the CO's who tried to run Doss out of the Army. Cunningham harassed Doss in stateside training, and did nasty things like denying him leave. At Okinowa, Doss charged into battle with his men, while Cunningham turned and literally fled the battle. One of the other CO's said he had a bead on Cunningham running away and thought about shooting him in the back for his cowardice. Gibson couldn't make up stories like this.

    Another story that failed to make the movie was an early assault on the escarpment. Two companies, A and B, we sent up the escarpment. Japanese defenses were so strong some US solders were cut in half due to machine gun fire. Company A was about 150 strong and cut to shreds. Company A lost 4 or 5 out of every 6th man. Company B was part of the same assault and took no casualties. Company B took out pill boxes and machine gun nests from the same position. When HQ received the post assault report, they asked Company B if they attacked the wrong target. The difference between the companies was, Doss was part of Company B and prayed for his men before the assault. When the movie depicts a later assault on hold while Doss prayed for the company, it was true to life.

    Yet another [series] of events was, enemy soldiers were not able to fire on Doss. According to interviews with the Japanese soldiers they knew Doss was a medic on the field. The Japanese prized killing medics because it was so demoralizing. The enemy would aim at Doss but their guns would inexplicably fail to fire when he was targeted. How in the world could Gibson depict a series of misfires when targeting Doss, let alone make it believable? No one would believe it if it was in the movie, yet it was real life.
    31 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars From the time he joined the Army in 1942 until his unit got in combat 2 years later he was the most hated man in his unit
    Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    After seeing the trailer for Hacksaw Ridge I did a little research on Desmond T. Doss, the first Conscientious Objector to receive the MoH. Looking on Amazon I found this documentary in which Desmond and some of his fellow soldiers tell his story in their own words. If you have an interest in military history and in the trials and tribulations soldiers face on the battlefield this is about the strangest tale you will ever come across and to him hear tell it in his own words is worth the cost of the DvD. From the time he joined the Army in 1942 until his unit got in combat 2 years later he was the most hated man in his unit due to his religious pacifism. No one wanted to go to war with him in the unit. However, once the bullets started flying all came to realize he was the bravest of them all as he moved around the battlefield like he owned it applying his medical skills to save his wounded comrades, many of whom survived the war because of his care for them. If Mother Teresa wore a helmet and combat boots she would be called Desmond T. Doss. However, don't let that description make you think this is a Sunday walk in the park. Desmond's unit was in some horrific battles in the Pacific and he became the rock that gave them hope when all around them was death. If this story doesn't awe you check your pulse. It is humbling to listen to him and know that most of us will never equal his humanity and care about his fellow man. Do yourself a favor and watch this. I'm glad I saw it before seeing Hacksaw Ridge. It will be interesting to see how well the theater version follows this hero's real story. ..... I'm no film critic and can't comment on the technical aspects of the movie making that went into this. Some may be put off by the simplistic approach that was used. To me the approach permitted the entire focus to be on the storytelling, which was as it should be.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • CR73
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome and Inspiring Story!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I watched this movie with my wife and daughter and it is truly an awesome and inspiring story. Desmond Doss was a conscientious objector who loved his country and wanted to serve during WWII, but his religious and personal convictions would not allow him to pick up a weapon or kill anyone. After being drafted by the Army, he stayed true to his values and despite many attempts to get him kicked out by many different NCO's, officers, and even his fellow soldiers (who often abused and insulted him), he was able to serve as a medic and not carry a weapon. After training at various posts in the US, Desmond found himself in the battle of Okinawa, one of the most horrific, brutal and grueling battles the US military has ever fought. It was at Okinawa that Desmond heroically saved the lives of 75 men in a single night, the actions that earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor. Desmond experienced many adversities in both combat and his personal life that would have broken many men, but his faith and steadfastness of his convictions and values saw him through. Even throughout the insults and hardships, the interviews in the movie show he holds no anger or hate towards those who treated him so badly. In modern times where "heroes" are athletes and reality TV stars who are praised for their bad behavior, true heroes like Desmond Doss should be talked about more and help up as examples of what it means to really be a hero. Desmond Doss was truly an inspiration and learning his story makes the viewer want to be a better person!
    8 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Mrs D M McIntosh
    5.0 out of 5 stars The true story behind the film "Hacksaw Ridge"
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 9, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I viewed this documentary DVD about Desmond Doss yesterday for the first time. I found it intersting and will definitely be looking at it again.If you are interested in biography and want to know the truth behind the film, Hacksaw Ridge, this film will interest you too. Hacksaw Ridge , the film, is remarkably powerful and accurate,
    but for emphasis and drama some biographical details were changed. It's still an excellent film though.
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