Terrence Malick returns to Hollywood after a two-decade hiatus with this adaptation of the classic WWII novel by James Jones. The story follows the efforts of an army platoon to... more
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The Thin Red Line [1999]
One of the cinema's great disappearing acts came to a close with the release of The Thin
... more
Red Line in late 1998. Terrence Malick, the cryptic recluse who withdrew from Hollywood visibility after the release of his visually enthralling masterpiece Days o...
The Thin Red Line [1999]
One of the cinema's great disappearing acts came to a close with the release of The Thin
... more
Red Line in late 1998. Terrence Malick, the cryptic recluse who withdrew from Hollywood visibility after the release of his visually enthralling masterpiece Days o...
THIN RED LINE
Terrence Malick returns to Hollywood after a two-decade hiatus with this adaptation of the
... more
classic WWII novel by James Jones. The story follows the efforts of an army platoon to capture the Japanese-controlled island of Guadalcanal in the Pacific Ocean...
THIN RED LINE
Terrence Malick returns to Hollywood after a two-decade hiatus with this adaptation of the
... more
classic WWII novel by James Jones. The story follows the efforts of an army platoon to capture the Japanese-controlled island of Guadalcanal in the Pacific Ocean, which will have a major effect on the outcome of the war. The members of C-for-Charlie Company are all fighting for different reasons: Some to achieve glory, some to fight for democracy, and some simply to remain alive. They spend the quieter moments reflecting upon their existence, searching for meaning amid the senselessness of war. Malick's reputation as one of cinema's most brilliant directors, based on his masterworks BADLANDS and DAYS OF HEAVEN, enabled him to pull together one of the largest ensemble all-star casts in Hollywood history. The result is a sprawling epic that carries itself like a poem read in a dream, a feeling that is greatly enhanced by John Toll's floating camerawork and Hans Zimmer's haunting score. Rather than concentrating solely on the violence and destruction of war, Malick uses the situation to address philosophical questions such as man versus nature, war versus peace, and good versus evil. THE THIN RED LINE proves that after a 20-year layoff, Malick hasn't lost a step.n
The Thin Red Line [1999]
One of the cinema's great disappearing acts came to a close with the release of The Thin
... more
Red Line in late 1998. Terrence Malick, the cryptic recluse who withdrew from Hollywood visibility after 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 born tropical bird or 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
The Thin Red Line [1999]
One of the cinema's great disappearing acts came to a close with the release of The Thin
... more
Red Line in late 1998. Terrence Malick, the cryptic recluse who withdrew from Hollywood visibility after 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 born tropical bird or 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
In this book, Michael Chion traces the connections to Malick's earlier work. He links 'The Thin Red Line' not only to James Jones's novel on which it is loosely based, but also to a tradition of American thought. ILLUSTRATIONS (paperback)
Coral Atoll". This is the first indication that this score will be difficult to recognise as coming from Hans Zimmer. The pause here is an effect that, once expanded upon, draws you into a whole new world of expression from a composer previously known for his all-action pyrotechnics (Crimson Tide, Broken Arrow for example). Here are placid textures for a gentle celebration of being alive--and the tragedy of it being cut short. When freshman troops land and make their nervous way to a holding point on the island, Zimmer follows them for an extraordinarily protracted time ("Journey To The Line"). The first six minutes (all the cues are as lengthy) build from a subtle ticking beat into an enormous crescendo of sound. It's also the closest the score gets to an easily identifiable theme. You'll pick out moments of melody (lovely harp figures opening "Light"; tolling bell and wailing male voice in "The Lagoon"), but really this is an abstract soundscape of wonder and terror. Zimmer's masterpiece is better seen with the film, but speaks to the heart as directly in isolation. --Paul Tonks
Advantages: Visually beautiful; emotionally raw and deep; stunning battle sequences; reflective and poetic Disadvantages: An acquired taste
Nature and philosophy is the trademark of Terrence Malick. He artfully presented it in his two films of the 70s, Badlands and Days of Heavens, but retreated from the directing scene to go on a sabbatical which would last for twenty years. The Thin Red Line emerged in 1999, more visceral than any of Malick's previous work, presenting audiences with an artfully crafted, beautiful film. This was Malick taking his films to a more ambitious scale, taking ... ...viewer enjoys the film, it is not to be denied that the Thin Red Line is sheer film making genius. Retrieved by the army from the exotic island of Melonesia, deserter Private Witt (Jim Caviezel), a humanistic, thoughtful man, is transferred directly back to his previous outfit; Charlie Company. A wide array of men, all with their own issues, make up the unit. They are thrown directly into the 1943 battle of Guadacanal, a turning point in the war ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: The film is presented in usch a way that I really can't explain it. Just take my word for it and go and watch it now. Disadvantages: I think audiences will find it that bit too slow to start with, just bear with it and you will love it.
...later, Terrence Malick returns to the big screen with this with this visually, emotionally and outstanding film which looks down at Saving Private Ryan with a big grin on it’s face and dumps on it’s head.
Due to the terrorising ways of Hollywood and the huge competition, The Thin Red Line and Saving Private Ryan were released at around the same time, which unfortunately didn’t get this little beauty noticed and give it the attention that it deserved.
... ...art that totally soars above the usual level of film making we have learnt to live with and takes us to another level that’s just never been seen in a film before.
The Thin Red Line was not really based around the war but the people who won it, the soldiers, the casualties and the generals that are willing to sacrifice every last man to win.
The characters are the main part of the film and make you almost realise the ‘feel’ of war and just how ...
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Advantages: Well acted, moving, powerful, well filmed, original Disadvantages: A bit too long for some (although not for me)
...I thought I'd go throught the main characters
Nick Nolte - Colonel Tall, the highest ranked character who plays a main role, he gives a very good performance, as the person who gives the orders but doesn't fight himself, performance 9/10
Elias Koteas - Captain Staros, takes his orders from Colonel Tall, he's the Greek commanding officer of Charlie Company, and is at odds when he refuses to obey Tall's orders. he gets relieved of his position later ... ...9/10
George Clooney, plays the man who replaces Captain Staros but only appears for a few minutes at the end 7/10
Sean Penn - Sergeant Welsh, a cynical sergeant who's the highest ranked person who actually fights, and doesn't believe in Witt's "other world" in the credits it says he is the main character but this is arguable 9/10
Woody Harrelson - Sergeant Keck, an excellent performance as a tough guy sergeant who commands the attack on the hill ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: moving and beautiful Disadvantages: some find it boring
...we are about to see. The usual aspects that are now practically standard are: young impressionable soldiers clearly horrified by the ferocity of war, despicable soldiers getting their comeuppance, and of course no war film would be complete without a blood spattered sequence with classical music in the background.
War films tend to fall into two categories, either they show the horror of war or they show the psychological effects of the fighting ... ...best example of the horrors of war, whilst “Platoon” shows the effects it has on the emotionally weak.
“The Thin Red Line” then is pretty confused when it comes to finding it a slot as it tries to depict both the physical and emotional costs of war. Shot on a stunningly beautiful location the director Terrence Malick was clearly interested in showing beauty as well as ugliness. It basically follows one soldier through his ...
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31.05.2001
(21.07.2001)
thoughtful Review ofThe Thin Red Line (Wide Screen)by
utero
Advantages: stunning photography, makes you think Disadvantages: poor extras, too long for some people
The Thin Red Line was the other war movie that came around the same time as Saving private Ryan and as a result wasn't as widely recieved. This is a shame as it's actually in many ways a better film. It centres around soldiers at the conflict of Guadalcanal but is more about the personal struggles of the mind rather than the harsh brutalities of war. Men reflect on what they have left behind, fearing for their lives and wondering if they'll ever ... ...lot happening. if this is the case then you need to find somethnig with a bit more action and less to think about. The film is in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen on this disc and the picture looks stunning. There is a lot of colour in this film and it's all shines through. John Toll's amazing cinematography is a sight to behold. Soundwise there is a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix. The film is very dialogue heavy so most sound is restricted to the front speakers ...
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Actor(s): Sean Penn, Adrien Brody, Jim Caviezel, John Cusack, George Clooney, Ben Chaplin, Woody Harrelson, Elias Koteas, Nick Nolte, John C. Reilly, Miranda Otto, John Savage, John Travolta, Nick Stahl, Dash Mihok, Jared Leto, Arie Verveen, Thomas Jane, Tim Blake Nelson, David Harrod
Director(s): Terrence Malick
Genre: War
Classification: 15 years and over
Production Year: 1998
Running Time: 2 hours 46 minutes
Video Category: Feature Film
Plot: Terrence Malick returns to Hollywood after a two-decade hiatus with this adaptation of the classic WWII novel by James Jones. The story follows the efforts of an army platoon to capture the Japanese-controlled island of Guadalcanal in the Pacific Ocean, which will have a major effect on the outcome of the war. The members of C-for-Charlie Company are all fighting for different reasons: Some to achieve glory, some to fight for democracy, and some simply to remain alive. They spend the quieter moments reflecting upon their existence, searching for meaning amid the senselessness of war. Malick's reputation as one of cinema's most brilliant directors, based on his masterworks BADLANDS and DAYS OF HEAVEN, enabled him to pull together one of the largest ensemble all-star casts in Hollywood history. The result is a sprawling epic that carries itself like a poem read in a dream, a feeling that is greatly enhanced by John Toll's floating camerawork and Hans Zimmer's haunting score. Rather than concentrating solely on the violence and destruction of war, Malick uses the situation to address philosophical questions such as man versus nature, war versus peace, and good versus evil. THE THIN RED LINE proves that after a 20-year layoff, Malick hasn't lost a step.
Release details
DVD Region: Region 2 (Europe)
Studio(s): 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment; Deluxe Video Service - Fox
Release date: 12/06/2000
No of Discs: 1
Catalogue No: 14255 DVD
Editor: Billy Weber, Saar Klein, Leslie Jones
Barcode: 5039036003049
Production Designer: Jack Fisk
Screenwriter: Terrence Malick
Composer: Hans Zimmer
Featured: Hans Zimmer
Executive Producer: Terrence Malick
Director of Photography: John Toll
Producer: John Roberdeau, Robert Michael Geisler, Grant Hill, Hans Zimmer, Terrence Malick, Jack Fisk
Terrence Malick returns to Hollywood after a two-decade hiatus with this adaptation of the classic WWII novel by James Jones. The story follows the efforts of an army platoon to capture the Japanese-controlled island of Guadalcanal in the Pacific Ocean, which will have a major effect on the outcome of the war. The members of C-for-Charlie Company are all fighting for different reasons: Some to achieve glory, some to fight for democracy, and some simply to remain alive. They spend the quieter moments reflecting upon their existence, searching for meaning amid the senselessness of war. Malick's reputation as one of cinema's most brilliant directors, based on his masterworks BADLANDS and DAYS OF HEAVEN, enabled him to pull together one of the largest ensemble all-star casts in Hollywood history. The result is a sprawling epic that carries itself like a poem read in a dream, a feeling that is greatly enhanced by John Toll's floating camerawork and Hans Zimmer's haunting score. Rather than concentrating solely on the violence and destruction of war, Malick uses the situation to address philosophical questions such as man versus nature, war versus peace, and good versus evil. THE THIN RED LINE proves that after a 20-year layoff, Malick hasn't lost a step.
Technical information
Special Features: Interactive Menus, Scene Access, Original Theatrical Trailer, Melanesian Songs
Review: "...[Malick's] intoxication with natural beauty, fused so palpably with the psychic sleepwalking of his human characters, remains exactly as it was....Here is a visceral reminder of all that made his past work so hauntingly majestic..." (New York Times, p.E1, 23/12/1998)
"...Malick's return is a cause for celebration. His harsh, haunting film shuns the platitudes to expose war as a crime against nature..." (Rolling Stone, p.83-4, 21/01/1999)
"...An extraordinary achievement....THE THIN RED LINE is hugely effective as a film about the absurdity of war..." (Sight and Sound, p.53-4, 01/03/1999)
"...[A] masterpiece of poetic flourish and grand ambition..." -- 4 out of 5 stars (Total Film, p.98, 01/10/1999)
"...Terrence Malick's first movie since 1978's DAYS OF HEAVEN is just as sensual, subliminally stirring and magnificently photographed..." -- 4 out of 4 stars (USA Today, p.4D, 24/12/1998)
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