Rate It

Seen it:    
Not seen it: 
Review: 
 
clear rating

Share It

Rating Averages

My Friends Not rated. () Want To See Not Interested
All Flixster 3.5 Stars (42846) Want To See 18414 Not Interested 35673
Female 3.0 Stars (12014) Want To See 5163 Not Interested 10002
Male 3.5 Stars (30832) Want To See 13251 Not Interested 25671

More Like This

Tip

If you liked this, then you'll also probably like...

Got another recommendation for someone who liked this movie? Add it to the list!

Got an opinion? Use the buttons to vote on all the suggestions people have added.

If lots of people vote, the best suggestions will rise to the top.

Apocalypse Now (77%)
Saving Private Ryan (72%)
Black Hawk Down (61%)
Platoon (100%)
The Green Mile (50%)

Plot: One of the cinema's great disappearing acts came to a close with the release of The Thin Red Line in late 1998. Terrence Malick, the cryptic recluse who withdrew from Hollywood visibility after...( read more read more... ) the release of his visually enthralling masterpiece Days of Heaven (1978), returned to the director's chair after a 20-year coffee break. Malick's comeback vehicle is a fascinating choice: a wide-ranging adaptation of a World War II novel (filmed once before, in 1964) by James Jones. The battle for Guadalcanal Island gives Malick an opportunity to explore nothing less than the nature of life, death, God, and courage. Let that be a warning to anyone expecting a conventional war flick; Malick proves himself quite capable of mounting an exciting action sequence, but he's just as likely to meander into pure philosophical noodling--or simply let the camera contemplate the first steps of a newly birthed tropical bird, the sinister skulk of a crocodile. This is not especially an actors' movie--some faces go by so quickly they barely register--but the standouts are bold: Nick Nolte as a career-minded colonel, Elias Koteas as a deeply spiritual captain who tries to protect his men, Ben Chaplin as a G.I. haunted by lyrical memories of his wife. The backbone of the film is the ongoing discussion between a wry sergeant (Sean Penn) and an ethereal, almost holy private (newcomer Jim Caviezel). The picture's sprawl may be a result of Malick's method of "finding" a film during shooting and editing, and in some ways The Thin Red Line seems vaguely, intriguingly incomplete. Yet it casts a spell like almost nothing else of its time, and Malick's visionary images are a challenge and a signpost to the rest of his filmmaking generation. --Robert Horton

Some other actors that should be listed but cannot because of lack of room in our database: Dash Mihok,Adrien Brody,Paul Gleeson,Thomas Jane,John Dee Smith,and Will Wallace.

Post it anywhere Link it anywhere

Recent Reviews


  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    October 2, 2008
    Terrence Mallick knows how to move a camera. Even with all the "star power" I forgot I was watching a movie.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    October 2, 2008
    Most beautiful movie ever and my personal favourite. Superb exploration of the evil humans are capable of contrasted with the beauty of nature, accompanied by an amazing soundtrack. It's not a typical war film - it's about the conflict of humanity and nature rather the conflict between humans that forms the setting of the film. Just a quick tip: If you don't like "slow" or "long" films don't bother watching it because you might get bored and feel the tendancy to bitch about it on this here page.
  • 3.0 Stars
    MCT:
    September 11, 2008
    Not that Impresed by the acting or the story its self. "Flags of our fathers" did a much better job puting down the realitys of war. But none the less there were some part that were ever intertaining and intense. Definitly a movie worth watching for any person interested in Military films. Survive through the beggining and enjoy the rest.
  • 3.5 Stars
    MCT:
    September 9, 2008
    If you like things that are visually pleasing (and from the looks of your wife, you don't), or if you consider most films to be lacking in the voiceover department, you'll enjoy THE THINNING RECEDING HAIRLINE.
  • 3.5 Stars
    MCT:
    September 9, 2008
    very long movie and sometimes things going very slow but still watchable cause of good atmosphere and background in the movie.
  • 3.5 Stars
    MCT:
    September 7, 2008
    I didn't particularly like this movie all that much, but it just tore me up. That almost never happens. I get really solemn and thoughtful during most war movies, but for some reason, this one made me tear up at the end. Weird...
  • 1.0 Star
    MCT:
    August 31, 2008
    One can only thank God that Terrence Malick seems to wait decades between films, because this is way more painful than a root canal! Not sure what all the Oscar buzz was about, I was terribly dissapointed in this film.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    August 24, 2008
    This is pure poetry,subtle and a magnitude compared to amateur attempts of recreating the vast social thoughts of each soldier in battle and private situation.It's a mesmerizing divinity entranced by the sheer landscapes and natural affiliation with human diginity.Nature won't hesitate to counterattack and then no enemies or allies will crush her.Neither true,honorable soldiers nor revisionist commanders.Malick as an innovator of slow-paced moving sight and John Toll's cinematography hits motion picture oil.
  • 2.5 Stars
    MCT:
    July 21, 2008
    I'll just say I was disappointed and haven't wasted my time watching it again since it first came out.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    July 7, 2008
    I first saw Terrence Malick's take on James Jones Novel, The Thin Red Line, the year that it came out. I didn't know what to make of it. Perhaps it was my age, I was younger then, and could not understand it. It wasn't full of battle scenes and gore like Saving Private Ryan. I got bored.

    Since then I've seen the film numerous times; what made me go back and give it another shot I do not know. What I do know, is that The Thin Red Line is the film that turned me onto film. Over the years since the films release I've fell into love with it. In my mind, there are few movies of the 90s that match its greatness. The Thin Red line is frankly a modern masterpiece.

    Like most masterpieces, it is bound to be misunderstood. I can think of very few other films that are filled with such depth and beauty. Like Malick's other films, what you see isn't necessarily what you get. There is an abundance of underlying messages and meaning in the film, making it very difficult to grasp. Also, the films style is strange, having an almost total lack of narrative, making it, as Martin Scorcese put it, an endless picture. The names and voice overs are difficult to distinguish and often indifferent to what is happening on screen, but it's all done for a reason. War has faces and names dropped on you out of nowhere with recruits and the chaotic nature of it all; often people disappear amid the bullets and the carnage, and new faces replace them.

    It has been said that the movie has no main character. This could be true, but there are multiple main characters, similar to the book. Witt, Tall, Welsh, Staros, Bell - all main characters. Perhaps the best way to describe it is to call the whole company, C company, the main character.

    The film follows the company through Guadalcanal, dropping into the lives of various characters here and there, all trying to deal with the war in their own way. It is difficult to get into a descriptive plot outline simply because the film is almost plot less. Those who've read the book will recognize the machinations, but the film was more inspired by the novel, rather than a film version of it. It would be virtually impossible to film the book as it is.

    War is chaos, and the film clearly displays this, and recognizes that war does not ennoble men, it "turns them into dogs. Poisons the Soul." The film focuses more on how those men that are thrust into it try to cope with the dehumanization, all looking for inner peace. The Thin Red Line is filled with beautiful images and beautiful poetry; starkly contrasting the horror of reality. The film also contains one of the most powerful scenes I have ever seen. The scene involves the company charging through the woods looking to attack a Japanse bivouac. They walk through the fog carpeted forest as you hear only the whiz of bullets passing by from seemingly out of nowhere. When they finally reach the site of the attack, the camera moves frantically, chasing soldiers here and there, from the viewpoint of both American and Japanese soldiers. The music in this scene is quite possibly the key to why it becomes so powerful. Another scene, a death scene, haunts me every time i see it.

    The Thin Red Line evokes a sense of tranquility in the middle of chaos, and begs questions that may possibly never be answered, but need to be asked nonetheless. The late Gene Siskel called the film on its release "the finest contemporary war film." The film is still misunderstood years later, but its popularity is growing and its finally becoming regarded as a masterpiece. Martin Scorcese has called this the second best film of the 90s- it should be noted that the film he chose as number 1, was made in the 80s, it just never gained popularity in North America until the 90s.

    Unlike films like Saving Private Ryan, who's repeat viewings offer nothing new, you can watch The Thin Red Line time after time after time, and see a different film every time.

    This film touched me personally. It showed me that film was more than entertainment - it not only is legitimate are, but the ultimate medium for it.
  • 4.5 Stars
    MCT:
    June 29, 2008
    i watched this last night, the thin red line is a war movie of course. its set in the soliders view of world war 2. lots of stars but with small parts. though i did fall a sleep near the end this was not the movie its was that it finished by about 1.40am. altogether a moving film.
  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    June 28, 2008
    That the flaws of this film are so great, and that I only delete one star, is a testament to its strengths. Easily ten times the movie that Saving Private Ryan is.
  • 1.5 Stars
    MCT:
    June 27, 2008
    Makes me sleepy it is so boring. Cuts from the scene to show a butterfly? Is that suppose to be "artsy"? The only saving grace is that Adrien Brody is in it for about 5 minutes.
  • 3.5 Stars
    MCT:
    June 27, 2008
    "The Thin Red Line." What was true for his first two films holds true here. This film collected 7 Oscar nominations, great critical praise, but it didn't win any.
  • 4.5 Stars
    MCT:
    June 26, 2008
    Interesting and effective war movie. With the gift of hindsight way superior to Saving Private Ryan.
  • 2.0 Stars
    MCT:
    June 25, 2008
    A huge quality star cast, which I?m sure is a huge selling point for this film, however I would find it near impossible to relay this film to someone else, perhaps war films are not quite my forte and maybe this is an area which I just won?t get, afterall it did receive 7 Academy award nominations.
  • 4.5 Stars
    MCT:
    June 18, 2008
    I understand that most don't like it and that it was completely overshadowed by Saving Private Ryan - but screw you all, this was better.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    June 16, 2008
    A war movie where political war is incidental, this Terrence Malick pinnacle confronts good and evil within nature, never overlooking the existence of God and never turning to combat as a process to entertain.
  • 1.0 Star
    MCT:
    June 10, 2008
    man this looks so good but I cannot get through it! I've turned it off half way through more than once!
  • 0.5 Stars
    MCT:
    June 6, 2008
    Utterly disappointing and disjointed war film. I like most of the actors involved, but the story was lost in the filmmakers meandering take.
  • 5.0 Stars
    MCT:
    June 3, 2008
    A very realistic and emotional movie that leaves you pensive and thinking more about life itself. It isn't just about the dangers of war, but more about the fears that the soldiers experience. There are a lot of characters in this movie one gets attached to. Jim Caviezel made an excellent performance and it's quite sad when he dies tragically in the end. It was Witt's role that made Mel Gibson choose Jim for 'The Passion'.
    Flixster - Share Movies
  • 4.0 Stars
    MCT:
    June 2, 2008
    Coupled with "saving private ryan", it fell into the quick sands of oblivion to fast. Its a shame because its a good movie.
  • 2.5 Stars
    MCT:
    May 29, 2008
    This makes for a very engrossing photo slide show, but that's about it. Trying way too hard for high art.

My Friends Said...


The Thin Red Line Recent Reviews

Register or sign-in to see your friends' reviews !

Comments


  • lotranji
    i love this movie because it isnt really about how graphic the filmakers can make it or how many special effects can we throw in its more about the soldiers and their perspectives which i love.
    posted 519 days ago
  • hallmelissa
    I agree with you Eugene. I was very impressed with this movie, even though i don't really like war movies. This one i didn't mind at all.
    posted 873 days ago

Details


  • Rated: (R)
  • Directed by: Terrence Malick
  • Genres: Action & Adventure, Drama
  • Released: January 15, 1999
  • DVD Released: November 2, 1999

Recent News


Movie Skins


Movie Quizzes


The Thin Red Line Quizzes