The Thin Red Line

Terrence Malick has a masterpiece here. It is a film that will become a classic. Like those movies that have been chastised in the past by the same sort that are bold enough to give this film one star, Thin Red Line will edure those slings and arrows waiting for us to catch up to its higher standards.

Three things I would like to point out here. One: I originaly saw this film accompanied by a WWII vet, a man who fought in the South Pacific. He was awe struck and deeply moved at this films reality. Two: Unlike the ordinary war movie, this film does not allow you to see the enemy until the characters do. You know they're there. But where? When will they strike? A masterful concept. Three: The scene towards the end of the story whereby the soldiers are walking past the cemetary where fallen heroes are buried is beyond description especially with the back drop of thoughtful narration at that point. At first I thought it an error to show the modern day cemetary with sprinklers watering the lawns and such. However, showing that sacred ground with the characters of this fine film walking by in deep reflection is an awesome sight which pays great homage to those fallen heroes.

A tremendous work of art. See it with an open mind and no distractions.


Confusing movie . . .   February 3, 2000
 2 out of 4 found this review helpful

"The Thin Red Line" is a weird movie. How so? On one hand you have brilliant visuals, thought-provoking musings from the characters about man's inhumanity towards man, and a terrific performance by Nick Nolte as Lt. Colonel Tall.

On the other you have actors who are generic and bland and blend together. (In "Saving Private Ryan" I knew who was who.) The film's plot listlessly bumps from place-to-place, character-to-character without any idea about what's going on. The movie appears for the first ten or fifteen minutes to be about a pacifist private, who then disappears for virtually the next two hours! He then returns at the end and his death is the emotional finale of the movie. At the showing I went to a person in front of me asked her husband who he was and had to be reminded he was supposed to be the main character. Even Writer-Director Terence Malick's brilliant philosophical musings about life, voiced by the characters, don't work here. Who can really buy the idea that these simple, bland guys are capable of contemplating the great truths of the universe?

"The Thin Red Line" is a three act play- the troops land on the island and make their way to the hill they are fighting for, then the battle is on, and then there is the aftermath of the fighting. I found the middle part of the film the most interesting, and not coincidentally because it starred because Nolte's Lt. Colonel Tall is heavily featured in them. Nolte is brilliant in the role- loud, angry, and passionate. Tall, who brags of reading Homer at West Point, loves war and this is the big one!

Watch the movie for Nolte, watch the movie for the fight for the hill. But that is about it.


A good movie   February 3, 2000
 1 out of 3 found this review helpful

The Thin Red Line's battle scenes were not as good as Saving Private Ryan's, but what makes this movie a must see is the expression of the soldier's mental and emotional well-being. The movie really shows how World War II effected the men of war emotionally and morally on the battle field and while on R and R.


Great!   January 31, 2000
 3 out of 5 found this review helpful

My husband and I watched the movie last night and it was great! I thought it was better than Saving Private Ryan and I reccommend for everyone to watch this one! It will grab you!