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The Thin Red Line (1998)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
15 January 1999 (USA)
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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
Plot Keywords:
Soldier
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Guadalcanal
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Japanese
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Rifle
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Accidental Death
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Awards:
Nominated for 7 Oscars.
Another 18 wins
&
19 nominations
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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)
(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 |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for realistic war violence and language.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
170 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Italy:T |
Iceland:16 |
Philippines:PG-13 |
New Zealand:M |
USA:TV-MA (cable rating) |
India:A (cinema release) |
Argentina:16 |
Australia:M |
Belgium:KT |
Finland:K-14 |
France:U |
Germany:16 |
Hong Kong:IIB |
Hungary:16 |
Netherlands:16 |
Norway:15 |
Portugal:M/16 |
Singapore:PG |
South Korea:12 |
Spain:13 |
Sweden:15 |
Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) |
Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) |
UK:15 |
USA:R |
Canada:14A
Filming Locations:
Company:
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.
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Goofs:
Anachronisms: A soldier uses a toothbrush with "wear" stripes in the bristles, which were invented in the 1990s.
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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...
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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...
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Undergrads: New Friends (#1.4)" (2001)
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Soundtrack:
The Unanswered Question
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FAQ
Why didn't Witt surrender?Will there be a director's cut?
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more (1349 total)
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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.