The Thin Red Line Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 1143

Average Rating: 2.9/4

# of Ratings: 256

Theatrical Release Date: 12/23/1998

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: 09/28/2010

Language: English

Genre: War

MPAA Rating: R

Director: Terrence Malick

Actors: James Caviezel, John Cusack, Ben Chaplin, Adrien Brody, Nick Nolte, Sean Penn

Plot: In Japan, a group of soldiers are commanded to take several key places of the Japanese islands while also experiencing the down time of war - takes place during WWII.

Matthew Brady - wrote on 01/20/2022

Private Witt: "Do you ever feel lonely?" First Sgt. Edward Welsh: "Only around people." It was poor timing for this to come out the same year as 'Saving Private Ryan', as this would often get overshadowed, which it doesn't deserve to. 'The Thin Red Line' is Terrence Malick at his most poetic. I was honestly surprised by how many celebrates made an appearance, which due to the style of editing out famous people, they appearances turned into cameos. Adrien Brody was the most famous 'film extra' of all time. Out of all the World War 2 movies, not one of them felt this unique and spiritual, and that hasn't been topped yet.

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 06/19/2019

A thoughtful art-film take on the well-worn war genre.

Indyfreak - wrote on 09/02/2018

Well that was long winded and pretentious. But at least it was a linear narrative. Terrence Malick was always obsessed with playing with pushing the boundaries of cinematic storytelling. Recently, he's all but abandoned it. THE THIN RED LINE is not one of those movies of his. But it is very long and drawn out. Yet it is well filmed, with good acting, and a great score. Can't say it's an exciting film to watch though. The battle scenes aren't as engaging as say SAVING PRIVATE RYAN or even that film's imitators like ENEMY AT THE GATES. But it is a change in scenery. The Pacific locations look gorgeous. WW2 movie enthusiasts and film geeks may like it better than casual viewers.

memento_mori
Producer

A war movie that cares about its casualties.

memento_mori - wrote on 08/09/2013

War is not my favorite genre, for a number of reasons. Straight up war movies are usually constructed the same way, have the same soldiering characters and the story never changes. It's just… war. Plus, it's not pretty to look at.

But finally, with The Thin Red Line, we have a war movie that actually contemplates war and doesn't just show it to you. The Thin Red Line is a remarkable film that thinks about war, describes war and has its own take on war, even fictionalizing part of it to bring its point across.

I knew from the moment it started that I was going to dig it. The first ten minutes of this film are simply stunning. And so it eases into the rest of the movie with a great handle on its substance and what it is trying to say. I loved every second of it, from its excellent …

Daniel Corleone
Movie God

The Thin Red Line review

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 09/25/2012

Viewing this movie again makes one appreciate the brilliance and intent of T. Malick. "There's just one. Just this rock...Are you loved by all?...Does our ruin benefit the earth?" The picture is not only about war, but also life in general. It's story revolves mainly on U.S. Army Private Witt (Jim Caviezel), First Sergeant, Welsh (Sean Penn), Lieutenant Colonel Tall (Nick Nolte) and Captain Staros (Elias Koteas). Sensational voice overs, electrifying performances, meaningful premise, a haunting score and elegant direction were present. The burning orange skies, colorful parrots, glimmering rays of the sun piercing thru trees of the jungle, water flowing from waterfalls are some of the picturesque scenery's that depicts nature's beauty against the horrors of a grotesque war. …

Yojimbo
Movie God

"The Thin Red Line" by Yojimbo

Yojimbo - wrote on 05/11/2012

Terrence Malick's artful WWII movie actually feels more like a Vietnam film because of the jungle locations, and combined with voice-overs and a moving score it is very reminiscent of Platoon. It is rather more subtle than Stone's film though, Malick choosing to contrast the ugliness of conflict with the timeless beauty of nature and simplicity of the life of indigenous tribes who have not adopted the concepts of nation and politics. The battle sequences themselves show war not as glorious, but chaotic and terrifying, and acts of bravery are just as likely to be moments of madness as conscious decisions to be heroic. The sprawling cast packed with star names are uniformly excellent, and the characters well-written and 3 dimensional, from Elias Koteas' captain who feels such an attachment …