The Thin Red Line (1964)
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88% of critics liked it
(8 reviews) -
63% of users liked it
(1,742 ratings)
Set during the Allied invasion of the island of Guadalcanal in the Pacific theater during WWII, this film is based on the novel by James Jones. Keir Dullea is Private Doll, who dreads the invasion and steals a pistol to help him protect himself. Sergeant Welsh (Jack Warden), a caustic,… More Set during the Allied invasion of the island of Guadalcanal in the Pacific theater during WWII, this film is based on the novel by James Jones. Keir Dullea is Private Doll, who dreads the invasion and steals a pistol to help him protect himself. Sergeant Welsh (Jack Warden), a caustic, battle-scarred veteran, hates Doll, whom he considers a coward. In battle, Doll kills a Japanese soldier and is filled with remorse, which further angers the sergeant. The next day, an emboldened Doll wipes out an entire enemy machine gun post and begins to feel as sadistic as Welsh. The two must work together to clear away some mines, but as they do, their platoon is surprised by a Japanese raid. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi
- Directed By
- Andrew Marton
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics
PG,
- In Theaters
- May 2, 1964 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Rob Nelson, City Pages, Minneapolis/St. Paul
Compared to Malick's sumptuous art film, Marton's old Line looks awfully naive, and yet it goes a great deal further in grappling with the author's touchy subtext of soldierly love.
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Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
Much better than the pretentious Terrence Malick film of the same name. This original Thin Red Line is a perfect companion piece to Robert Aldrich's Attack.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The images of the dead in the swamp with dog tags in their mouth, was the most appalling sight in the film...
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
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Cast
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Keir Dullea
as Pvt. Doll
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Jack Warden
as First Sgt. Welsh
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James Philbrook
as Col. Tall
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Ray Daley
as Capt. Stone
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Bob Kanter
as Fife
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Merlyn Yordan
as Judy
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Kieron Moore
as Lt. Band
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Steve Rowland
as Pvt. Mazzi
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Stephen Levy
as Staff Sgt. Stack
- John Clarke
- Joe Collins
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Jim Gillen
as Capt. Gaff
- Ben Tatar
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Mark Johnson
as Medic
- Gary Lasdun
- Gabe Sumner
- Charles Stalnaker
