IMDb > The Thin Red Line (1998)
The Thin Red Line
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The Thin Red Line (1998) More at IMDbPro »

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The Thin Red Line (1998) -- Director Terrence Malick's adaptation of James Jones' autobiographical 1962 novel, focusing on the conflict at Guadalcanal during the second World War.
The Thin Red Line (1998) -- Director Terrence Malick's adaptation of James Jones' autobiographical 1962 novel, focusing on the conflict at Guadalcanal during the second World War.
The Thin Red Line (1998) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.5/10   56,244 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
James Jones (novel)
Terrence Malick (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Thin Red Line on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
15 January 1999 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Every man fights his own war.
Plot:
Director Terrence Malick's adaptation of James Jones' autobiographical 1962 novel, focusing on the conflict at Guadalcanal during the second World War. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 7 Oscars. Another 18 wins & 19 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(58 articles)
Terrence Malick: The Reluctant Auteur
 (From t5m.com. 24 November 2009, 4:02 AM, PST)

What I Watched, What You Watched: Installment #17
 (From Rope Of Silicon. 15 November 2009, 1:17 AM, PST)

User Comments:
Superb, emotive filmmaking more (1349 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Kirk Acevedo ... Pvt. Tella

Sean Penn ... 1st Sgt. Welsh
Penelope Allen ... Witt's Mother (as Penny Allen)

Adrien Brody ... Cpl. Fife

James Caviezel ... Pvt. Witt (as Jim Caviezel)
Benjamin Green ... Melanesian Villager (as Benjamin)

Simon Billig ... Lt. Col. Billig

Ben Chaplin ... Pvt. Bell
Mark Boone Junior ... Pvt. Peale

George Clooney ... Capt. Bosche

John Cusack ... Capt. Gaff
Norman Patrick Brown ... Pvt. Henry

Woody Harrelson ... Sgt. Keck

Elias Koteas ... Capt. Staros

Nick Nolte ... Lt. Col. Tall
more
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for realistic war violence and language.
Runtime:
170 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The movie was almost not made. Sony Pictures dropped plans to produce it because of fears that it couldn't be made for its then $45-million budget. Fortunately, Fox Pictures came to the rescue by providing most of the cash. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: A soldier uses a toothbrush with "wear" stripes in the bristles, which were invented in the 1990s. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Private Witt: I remember my mother when she was dyin', looked all shrunk up and gray. I asked her if she was afraid. She just shook her head. I was afraid to touch the death I seen in her. I couldn't find nothin' beautiful or uplifting about her goin' back to God...
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Undergrads: New Friends (#1.4)" (2001) more
Soundtrack:
The Unanswered Question more

FAQ

Why didn't Witt surrender?
Will there be a director's cut?
more
67 out of 87 people found the following comment useful.
Superb, emotive filmmaking, 15 December 1999
9/10

I'm very sorry I didn't get to see this film in the theatre. It is a beautifully filmed masterpiece with a superb story, excellent acting (esp. Nick Nolte), and a great script. It takes things way deeper than Saving Private Ryan or most other modern war movies dare to go. Very introspective and dreamy at times, with the camera constantly dwelling on faces, animals, and the landscape. Merrick is never in a hurry, and this pace suits the film well.

The Thin Red Line asks a lot of good questions about death, war, and the ultimate meaning of life. Now that I have seen it, I'm very surprised that this film did not win picture of the year. Spielberg's film was a gritty, realistic portrayal of war. But it was also highly commercial and had a very contrived plot. In comparison, this film sort of wanders through itself and in the process helps to put you in the boots of the soldiers it portrays.

My only criticism is perhaps the film was a bit long, but I never noticed that the second time through. I can't praise this film enough. Excellent work.

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