Mel Gibson has started production on World War II drama “Hacksaw Ridge in New South Wales, Australia, starring Andrew Garfield, and released the first photos from the set on Tuesday.

The movie is based on the life of Desmond T. Doss, a medic and the first conscientious objector (someone who claims the right to refuse military service) to win the Congressional Medal of Honor after saving dozens of soldiers during the Battle of Okinawa.

“While production has only just begun, there is already incredible camaraderie between the cast,” Gibson said in a statement. “Not only is Andrew perfect for the role of Desmond Doss, the entire cast are an incredible mix of experience, depth and exciting up and coming talent.”

Gibson is directing from a script by Robert Schenkkan, Andrew Knight and “We Were Soldiers” screenwriter Randall Wallace. Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer and Rachel Griffiths also star.

Worthington plays an officer in charge of the unit, while Vaughn plays a sergeant whose job is to get the new recruits ready for battle. Palmer has been cast as Doss’s sweetheart with Griffiths is playing his mother.

Other cast members include Richard Roxburgh, Luke Pegler, Richard Pyros, Ben Mingay, Firass Dirani, Nico Cortez, Michael Sheasby, Goran Kleut, Jacob Warner, Harry Greenwood, Damien Thomlinson, Ben O’Toole, Benedict Hardie, Robert Morgan, Ori Pfeffer, Milo Gibson and Nathaniel Buzolic.

Cross Creek is the principal financier. The film is produced by Bill Mechanic’s Pandemonium Films and David Permut’s Permut Presentations along with Bruce Davie and Paul Currie. James M. Vernon is exec producing.

IM Global is handling international rights for the film, which will be distributed by Lionsgate in the U.S. and Icon in Australia