“Hacksaw Ridge” tells the story of Desmond Doss, who refused to carry a rifle and fight and instead became a U.S. Army medic. At the Battle of Okinawa, he repeatedly risked his life and amazingly saved the lives of 75 men.

The R-rated film, directed by Mel Gibson, was noted both for its bloody, realistic war scenes and for the portrayal of Doss’s Christian faith as a Seventh Day Adventist.

Nominated also for Best Picture and for Best Director, “Hacksaw Ridge” won for Best Film Editing and for Best Sound Mixing. The other nominations were Best Actor for Andrew Garfield and Best Sound Editing.

The film was based on an award-winning documentary about Doss produced by Terry Benedict, who also joined the producing team for “Hacksaw Ridge.”

“If we all acted more like Desmond’s role-modeling,” Benedicts tells OneNewsNow, “this world would be a much, much better place, and that’s what I’ve gotten from people that the film has impacted.”

The greatest compliment he has received, says Benedict, has been people telling him that “Hacksaw Ridge” affected them in a positive way.

“His story has helped change people’s life for the better in a more positive way,” the producer says of the real-life Doss, “and that makes it all worth it more than any awards or accolades.”

“Moonlight” won Best Picture and Best Director went to Damien Chazelle for “La La Land.”