Desmond Doss
 Desmond Doss Council

Doss Council Fact Sheet

What is the Desmond Doss Council?

In 2000, the Desmond Doss Council was established under the direction of the Georgia-Cumberland Conference Association (GCA) to handle a specific request made by Desmond T. Doss. His desire was for a film about his life story, one that would be a positive influence on the youth of his Church and the public at large. The request included granting the GCA all of his story rights. At his request a group of trusted volunteers—individuals closely associated with him, the Church and the Armed Services—were asked to create the Desmond Doss Council to guide this project.

The Doss Council was personally commissioned by Desmond to produce a documentary, The Conscientious Objector, and to negotiate with Hollywood for a possible true-to-life film. Before his death, Desmond met with the Council many times. The GCA holds the copyright to the documentary and the biography "The Unlikeliest Hero," a book by Booton Herndon. This book has recently been republished with the title, Redemption at Hacksaw Ridge.

The Council ceased its work after the publication of the movie, Hacksaw Ridge.

The GCA has oversight authority on all Doss archival material, memorabilia, and the use of his name for public or organizational identification, e.g., VFW and AL posts, bridges, veteran's parks, etc.  

In 2018 the Desmond Doss Foundation was chartered as an independent 501(c)3 charitable corporation to perpetuate Desmond's legacy and to promote his values.The Foundation has management authority for the meomrabilia and intellectual properties held in trust by the GCA.

What progress has been made on Desmond's request?

 "The Conscientious Objector," documentary film was produced and formally released in 2004, funded by many private donations made through the GCA as well as from the GCA itself. It was the first documentary to be filmed in high definition (HD) and was distributed on VHS and DVD. It includes personal interviews with Desmond as well as many of the soldiers he served with and whose lives he saved. 

The documentary has been highly praised. It received numerous film festival awards and was given Academy Award consideration. It was broadcast nationally on PAX TV in 2005 and NBC's Spirit of the Heart Series in 2012. It has also aired on Trinity Broadcasting (TBN) annually since 2006, and the American Forces Network (AFN) over a dozen times. It is distributed worldwide through Netflix and available for viewing on YouTube. In 2016 this documentary was re-mastered and re-released in high definition on Blu-ray with 5.1-surround sound.

Does Hollywood have the rights to do a film on Desmond Doss? 

Yes, in 2004, the theatrical film rights were formally assigned to Pandemonium Films and its CEO Bill Mechanic, a highly respected Film Industry Executive and Producer. After working for many years to put together the funding and an acclaimed production team, Mr. Mechanic began principal photography in September, 2015 on the film, Hacksaw Ridge, directed by Mel Gibson and starring Andrew Garfield in the role of Desmond Doss. The movie was filmed in Australia and Dr. Charles Knapp, chairman of the Council, was invited to visit the film set. His unprecedented access to producers, actors and film crew led to numerous conversations. There was great interest among the cast regarding the story of Desmond Doss. After a week on set, Dr. Knapp came away highly impressed that this movie will be the most powerful and dramatic way Desmond's story has ever been told.

The film is being released in theaters around the world in November 2016. Numerous pre-release screenings conducted with the public as well as faith-based groups has resulted in a overwhelmingly positive response. Endorsement by key individuals has resulted in highly acclaimed praise for both the incredible story and the way it's told on screen. Many believe Hacksaw Ridge has Oscar award potential.

Great care was exercised during negotiations to ensure the integrity of Desmond's character portrayal, which includes his moral and spiritual beliefs as a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. This aspect of his story will not be fictionalized. According to those on the Doss Council, the movie Hacksaw Ridge, tells the story in a most authentic and realistic way. The film is faithful to the beliefs and character of Desmond Doss.

Is the Adventist Church producing a Hollywood film on Desmond Doss? 

No, the Adventist Church is not involved other than the connection the Doss Council has via the film rights contract with Pandemonium Films. The Church does not speak on behalf of the production company or any of the Producers; has no input into the script or content of the movie; and has no obligation for funding or approving it. This film is not being produced for the Church nor specifically for an Adventist audience. It is not about the Adventist Church, it's about a single Seventh-day Adventist, Desmond Doss, who stood for his beliefs during World War II, and received the Congressional Medal of Honor. It's a story of immense human interest and is being produced by Hollywood as a commercial film for the general public. 

Why is this film important to the Church? 

The movie, Hacksaw Ridge, which dramatically shares the life of Desmond Doss, has the potential of creating an unequaled awareness of the attitudes and actions of a single Seventh-day Adventist. Desmond's beliefs are portrayed as an integral part of his story. These include his stand on not carrying a gun or taking life; his belief in God and the importance of prayer; his belief in and regular reading of the Bible; and especially the important role of the Ten Commandments in his life, especially the Sabbath. This could be an unparalleled evangelistic opportunity for Adventists worldwide to share their own faith when neighbors and friends discover they hold the same beliefs as Desmond Doss.  

For more information

The production company and the distributors are in regular communication with the Council. It's the request of the Doss Council that information be communicated accurately. Therefore if you are approached by the media or general public to comment on this film project, the Council urges that individual church leaders and members refer such questions to the Council. For the latest official updates and progress, please contact the Desmond Doss Foundation.

CONTACT INFORMATION Official public website: DesmondDossFoundation.org

info@dossfoundation.net