The Thin Red Line

Jones's story focuses on two American soldiers during the Guadalcanal campaign, the newlywed draftee Private Doll (Keir Dullea) and Sergeant Welch (Jack Warden), the hardened veteran. Doll is determined to survive whatever the cost, disobeying orders if it will improve his chances; Welch is dutiful yet calculating, resorting to deliberate acts of madness to toughen up his troops by showing them war's own absurdity by example. The clash between the private and the sergeant thus becomes the core to the film, focusing on the "thin red line" between sanity and insanity and depicting how that line blurs for both protagonists.

As directed by veteran Andrew Marton (55 Days in Peking), the film is at its best during sweeping battle sequences capturing the gritty horror of hand-to-hand combat, as the Americans try to take an impregnable wall of caves held by the Japanese enemy. Less successful are portentous scenes and dialogue that underscore this evident parable with a heavy hand; there's a self-conscious art film spin that misfires.The original black-and-white Cinemascope negative shows wear and tear, and early copies betray serious problems in their optical transfers. --Sam Sutherland

Malick's direction is simply genius; utilising the tranquil scenery to great effect whilst, at the same time, creating some of the most breathtaking action-sequences to be put on 35mm. Editing is top-notch- bearing in mind that Malick apparently filmed around 1,000,000 feet of footage! And, indeed, the acting itself is remarkable. Nolte, Penn and Chaplin are pure class as is Elias Koteas but Jim Caviezel steals the show with his perception of the spiritual Private Witt; someone who we feel 'at one' with throughout the film.

The use of multi voice-overs from numerous characters awards the picture with a great sense of dimension that crosses the proverbial board of mixed emotions. In doing so, it also goes against the notion of the classic Hollywood narrative; forming it's own unique structure that one has never before witnessed on screen.

The 170 minutes quite literally fly by. Certainly, one would be hard-pressed to come across a finer motion picture of the 90's and, one feels, the history of cinema.

This epic masterpiece deserves to be placed on a par with 'Citizen Kane' and 'The Third Man' and the very least you could do is to invest in your very own copy and behold in the pure splendour that is 'The Thin Red Line'. It's a difficult task describing such a film; it really does have to be seen to be believed...very few words would do it justice.


Terrifying Look At The Tortuous Psychodrama Of Combat!   August 2, 2000
Barron Laycock (Temple, New Hampshire United States)
69 out of 84 found this review helpful

Anyone familiar with James Jones' gripping novel concerning the so-called "thin red line" between one's war experience and madness must appreciate the stunning accuracy with which the latest film version of this frightening psychodrama plays itself into the experiences of a group of soldiers about to go into battle at Guadalcanal. History buffs familiar with the literature (both fiction and non-fiction) emanating from the Pacific campaign of World war two understand that unlike their European comrades, the dogfaces confronting combat in the South Pacific fought short, ferocious, and incredibly intense battles which were then punctuated by long and frustratingly lonely periods during which too much time left to ponder the reality of what they had been experiencing was often a maddening yet irresistible glimpse into the darkness of their own souls.

Indeed, a number of noted authors like William Manchester, Ronald Spector, and James Jones all refer to this uniquely Japanese-theater related psychological syndrome in one form or another in their writings. From the opening frames of this movie, the actors confront the nature of their own existence as well as the insane set of circumstances they face as soldiers trapped into a psychotic situation from which the only sure escape is violent and painful death. From frame to frame we catch glimpses of this insanity, from a soldier killing himself accidentally with his own weapon to others sacrificing themselves for the sake of their buddies. Although one is comically absurd and the other courageous, both are intensely unlike the circumstances anyone would experience anywhere else but in combat.

All that said, the film is a very sophisticated exploration of man's humanity and inhumanity under circumstances so bizarre and unusual that one must suspend one's ordinary consciousness in order to survive. The cinematography is marvelous, and even in the most gruesome and violent scenes, one gets the feeling all of this is choreographed by someone understanding the power of the camera to catch glimpses of man's essential struggle with himself in those moments he is most desperately trying to stay alive under the most murderous of circumstances. It will probably never be a film popular with or appreciated by the masses, for most people simply don't take the time and energy to peer below the surface of what is happening on the screen to understand what the director and actors are saying so passionately and beautifully both verbally and non-verbally about the nature of man, the world we live in, and the incredible things men do to each other in the terrible prism of combat.


Come Back Terrence!...Come Back!   October 1, 2003
L. Shirley (fountain valley, ca United States)
63 out of 84 found this review helpful

This review refers to the Fox War Classics DVD edition of "The Thin Red Line"

"The Thin Red Line" is already a five year old film that still has the reviews pouring in. Some love it, some hate it, some give it a luke warm reception. One thing is clear, it is a film that people are STILL talking about. As of this writing, the number of reviews here are closing in on 800. You can count me among those who think this is one of the most beautifully and artfully made stories of war on film.

In 1998 we were lucky enough to have two of the most talented directors in Hollywood bring us two very different but equally
fine films dedicated to the men who served in WWII. "Saving Private Ryan" directed by Steven Spielberg was a beautiful tribute and a wonderful film and rightly deserved all the nods it recieved from Oscar that year."The Thin Red Line" also, with seven well earned nominations has a style all of it's own. I saw it as more of an intense character study than an action film, which of course is definitve of director Terrence Malick. So you don't have to take sides..it's okay to love them both..I do!

While "SPR" takes place in the Europe, this one focuses on the war in the Pacific.(another good reason to watch both of them)
"Charlie" company is brought into the battle of Guadalcanal. Many are young, all will soon experience the horrors of war.The story not only focuses on the combat with the Japanese, but very much on the thoughts, fears, and bonding the soldiers are all going through. I felt this film depicted both of these aspects as well as "Apocalypse Now" and "Das Boot".

The film is packed with wonderful actors and big stars. I imagine that when Hollywood got wind that the elusive Terrence Malick would be directing again, the phone wires were burning with their people calling his people! The cast includes Sean Penn, Nick Nolte,Woody Harrelson,George Clooney, Adrien Brody, John Cusak,Jim Caviezel, Ben Chaplin, John C. Reilly and Elias Koteas as Capt Staros. Even Johnny Travolta makes an appearance. For the most part, even with this big cast we get to know the characters pretty well, all though there were a few I would have liked to spend a little more time with.The music by Hans Zimmer, as always will cast a spell on you and the photography by John Toll is so exquiste I got lost in it's beauty.

Terrence Malick has not made many films. When he does you can count on something really special like "Badlands" and "Days of Heaven". He has a gift for fine filmmaking. It appears he may be gifting us with another film possibly in 2005 based on the life of Che Guevara, with Benicio Del Toro slated to star..We can only hope....

"Fox War Classic" has done a superb job in presenting this film on DVD. The picture is gorgeous with lush colors and crystal clarity in anamorphic widescreen(Aspect Ratio 2.35:1). If your sound system has DTS capabilities, try it, I was awed by both the sounds of war and the music. You also have the choice of Dolby Dig 5.1 or Surround sound. There are subtitles in English and Spanish. There are no special features on this edition(wouldn't it have been nice to have an interview with Mr. Malick?), but nearly 3 hours of captivating viewing. It does come with a little booklet that has some background info on the stars.

If you havn't seen this film yet, I would suggest renting it first as there are very strong opinions of this film and you may decide for yourself. If you have seen it, know you like it and are thinking of buying the DVD..you cannot go wrong(espically at this great price).

Why this film recieved 7 nominations but not one statue(the cinematography at least was deserving) is a mystery to me.

Enjoy this fine film......Laurie


the finest film of the 90's   March 16, 2000
josh brastad (Port Angeles, WA)
45 out of 53 found this review helpful

Possibly the most powerful dramatic genre of film, war movies are never ignored. And in this day and age war films have certain expectations to become sucessful and praiseworthy: they must have a clear and evil villian, they must have an ideal GI hero, they must be provided with a sentimental patriotic score (John Williams the masses salute you) and most importantly war films must pack reassurance, a way to incorporate that killing is necessary, that war shuts out tyranny, and delivers strength to a country. (It doesn't hurt to flat out say the film's dedication is to the American men who saved the USA and ended the holocaust...aka Mr. Spielberg). Terrence Malick's 1998 war film "The Thin Red Line" was a terrible box office flop. On a 60 million budget the film made barely 10 million at the box office. It was the shadow that never existed at the 98 Oscars and many professional critics included such supposed millionaire movie judges like Roger Ebert, dismissed the film. The answer is simple, I see it every time I'm around a wide body of people: the film never pounds any answers into our heads like most three hour films (such as the recents films of Darabout, Spielberg, Cameron) "Line" is an essay, a poem, filled with questions and theory. In short we, in our stress-induced mocha fueled, cell phone powered lives want to laugh, want to cry, want to lean our heads against our spouse, and dwell in reassurance at a movie. We don't want to question.. The Thin Red Line is an anti-thesis toward war, war films, and the modern day pace of living. The film begins with Private Witt, a AWOL-ed transcendentalist who has found heaven on earth in the form of life among the natives of the Solomon islands. In this life, Witt finds no fear, thus he discovers immortality; to give yourself and die without a fear in your soul. Already, without wide realization, Witt has become one of the most unforgettable screen characters. He is the most intriguing character in a war picture since Col. Kurtz of "Apocalypse Now" and Hollywood screenwriters such as "American Beauty's" Alan Ball have recognized Malick's creation (just look at "Beauty's" character Ricky Fitts and his strong resembalance to Witt). The fact that so many critics have called Thin Red Line character's unfocused and bland is truth that the philosopical aspect of film is dying. The characters in Line are all original (much unlike the cliche roles of Spielberg's "Ryan"). Pvt. Bell discovers that lust and desire are interpreted in many forms, as his hearts contentness fades when his wife explains she could not withstand the wait for his homecoming. Sgt. Welsh's lonliness is only unbalanced by his kindness as he realizes that the image of one man can make a difference. ("If I never meet you in this life, let me feel the lack. A glance from your eyes, and my life will be yours"). The confrontation between Col. Tall and Cpt. Staros give Malick's deliverance to Kubrick's "Paths of Glory" with his internal conflict between the soilder and the authoriy who orders death for the sake of ego. Possibly the greatest reason I award Malick's film as the decade's finest is because it's nothing short of revolutionary. It has much more in common with "2001: A Space Oddessy" than it does with "Saving Private Ryan" like most reviews compare. Both "2001" and Malick's film construct stances on humanity's present circumstance and idealism. Whereas "2001" stretched 50 years into the future to show how we destroy ourselves, "Thin Red" streches 50 years into the past. It poses the question: why do we fight one another? So simple a child could ask it, but no Harvard genius could even ponder to explain a right answer. Beyond all the polics and rich egoists, why do we even have enemies? Would the earth be a finer place without us? Does our ruin benefit the earth? In perhaps the most powerful cinematic scene of the 1990's American and Japanese soilders senselessly kill one another through fog, and destroy a village in mid-morning while many Japanese are having prayer. The battle is set to Hans Zimmer's detesting ballad "Silence". There are no heros no villians, just chaos coming to a climax. It ends with a brave monologue in the second person that speaks directly to the audience that clapped for "Ryan's" US GI's as they burned some Nazi's to death: "Is this darkness in you too?"