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 enlarge | Director: Terrence Malick
Actors: Kirk Acevedo, Penelope Allen, Benjamin Green, Simon Billig, Mark Boone Junior
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy Used: $1.94
You Save: $13.04 (87%)
New (62) Used (56) Collectible (2) from $1.94
Avg. Customer Rating:  907 reviews
Sales Rank: 5800
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dts Surround Sound, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 170
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.6
MPN: D2003000D
UPC: 024543030003
EAN: 0024543030003
ASIN: B00005PJ8T
Theatrical Release Date: January 8, 1999
Release Date: May 21, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 For once a war movie that doesn't glorify war November 26, 2007
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
Of all the war movies, that I have seen, I would rate this one as one of the best. It depicts the horrors and meaninglessness of war, instead of glorifying it, and how it destroys the people participating in it. This movie shows war from a personal perspective with much work done in showing the soldiers emotions and their dilemmas of conscience. Good acting and one where Sean Penn stood out as an actor for me.
 The Thin Red Line October 31, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I recently read the book "The Thin Red Line" because I had seen the movie several years ago. I then decided to re-watch the movie to see how the two compared. The movie follows along the lines of the book, but follows a storyline more focused on a character that comes in and out of the story of the book. You can't really compare the book to the movie as they seem to tell different stories based on the same events. Both send powerfull messages. I do think that those people who have read the book will be able to extract more out of the movie. I recomend both to anyone interested in the topic of war and philosophy.
 Amateurishly surrealistic, not realistic October 12, 2007
4 out of 14 found this review helpful
I read the book some years ago, so was familiar with Jones' theme, that "wear is hell." This movie should not be taken in any way as a true, realistic portrayal of what infantry fighting was like on the Pacific Islands in WWII, rather, someone's interpreting WWII according to their ultra liberal, political agenda. We see infantry combat assaults without artillery or air support, tho both are clearly available; no tank support, US Army officers lying down with and crying on the shoulders of Japanese POW's, and vice versa; an infantry company commander arguing with and refusing the direct orders of his superior commander in the middle of an assault without being instantly relieved; and many other totally absurd scenes that violate standard infantry tactics and military policy. Obviously, this anti-war movie was written, directed and produced by people totally unfamiliar with infantry combat, and tried to make it agree with their own preconceived (amateurish) notions and current-day anti-war agendas. While the cinematrophy was excellent, the scenes jumped around to the point of being very hard to understand what was happening. An amateurish, unrealistic rendition is the best I can say for this (anti-)war movie. I would not recommend this movie to anyone, rather, watch "Saving Private Ryan" for a more realistic portrayal of infantry war. "The Thin Red Line" insulted my intelligence.
There Sure Is Much Thinking In This Film September 29, 2007
4 out of 12 found this review helpful
What a pity "The Thin Red Line" is. What a pity that it was released the same year of Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan." What a pity that it was nominated for Best Picture against Spielberg's aforementioned "Saving Private Ryan." What a pity this movie has always been in the shadows of "Saving Private Ryan." What a pity that I should see it the day after I see "Saving Private Ryan." Like "Saving Private Ryan," "The Thin Red Line" takes place during World War II. The battle that "The Thin Red Line" covers though is the Battle of Guadalcanal. Beautiful, beautiful Guadalcanal. A place so beautiful, that I suspect most of talent involved in this film were involved for the sole purpose of visiting that beautiful land.
Even the movie itself seems to be more interested in the land then the story, as the story is a mess. A captivating mess, but a mess nonetheless. One that is very untidy and very irritating to be around for too long. Unfortunately, the movie clocks in ten minutes shy of three hours, and effectively overstays its welcome. The movie poster/box highlights many big stars, such as Oscar winner Sean Penn, Oscar winner Adrien Brody, Oscar Winner George Clooney, Oscar nominee John Travolta, Oscar nominee John C. Reilly, Oscar nominee Woody Harrelson...there is some MAJOR talent behind this movie! I can't stress this enough. Yet most of these actors make glorified cameos, while Nick Nolte and Jim Caviezel (who are the closest things we have to protagonists in this movie) get billing UNDER the title!
Heck, Adrien Brody is billed as the second major star on the poster above the title, yet is in the movie for about...3 minutes or so. Trust me, I counted. You probably are now reading more information on actor billing then you probably care to, but I stress this because story, character development, and star power is very absent in this film. There are scenes where Jim Caviezel remembers his wife at home through flashbacks. There are moments when Nick Nolte argues with his soldiers (most of whom are nameless and unknown). Sometimes a random narrator narrates the movie (most of the time it sounded like John Travolta, though he was only on screen for 2 minutes and 21 seconds). Most of the time though it's beautiful scenery, characters starring at each other for long periods of time, and once in awhile things will start blowing up.
As a movie, I'm not sure what the purpose was when they decided to make it. There is much skill behind the craft to be sure. The cinematography, special effects, and camera work is all very impressive. This is a great looking and sounding film. But it just sits there. Not much happens most of the time and we never really get a sense that anything is happening. No main characters to follow, no major mission is being fulfilled, nothing that really matters. I just don't get it. There's a great movie somewhere in this mess, I just can't seem to find it. What a pity, for I'd sure like to see that great movie someday.
Rating: * and a half stars
One of the best, but not the greatest August 31, 2007
This film moved me when I first watched it. Now, however, I find my self fast forwarding through the more ambient parts. The actual story is timeless, but I find that the other scenes bore me over time.
If you've read the book, you might agree. If you've read Jone's entire trilogy, you'll notice much of the script is lifted from FROM HERE TO ETERNITY. Not all of the books themes, however, are represented in the film and MANY characters are combined or missing alltogether.
The music is perhaps Hans Zimmer's best. I dare to say it's the best match of music and images that I have ever seen.
It's high art, not a popcorn movie. Read the books first.
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