Rent The Thin Red Line (1998)

American war film - The Thin Red Line review by JD

Although this an excellently acted American war film it is competing with an overfull genre. It is in a minority in that it is the Japanese that are the enemy. It is not unusual however in that there are overwhelming moralistic themes on the horror of war. The gentle soldier is the main theme. Some of them become numbed with brutality, others go mad. To be frank there are so many moralistic points being made that it loses its own thread. There are flash forwards to African villages that really are never clear, are they flash backs? How do they get to Africa from Japan? Why? Everyone drinks spirits by the bottle but nobody is drunk. Are they all extra-special? Will you care? I don't think so.

The horrors of war.... - The Thin Red Line review by TB

This is a lengthy but well filmed story of the horrors of war and the testing of human morals. It has all the action and scenes associated with most war films but has an overriding story of human faith and morals being challenged throughout and playing out in parallel with the atrocities of war. The voice over highlights this with such well chosen and emotive words. For the very few that come out the other side, it gives a renewed strength and appreciation of life but for so many war takes their lives in some shape or form. For the fortunate they die in battle. However, those who do survive are in the main left numb and stripped of their faith and souls.

This isn’t a spectacular film and it’s not an all action film, if that’s what you’re after. However, what it is, is a film that questions all of our morals and appreciation of life and death.

A masterful dreamlike meditation of the soul, natures beauty and ambivalence to human horrors. - The Thin Red Line review by Piehawker

This film is definitely not for everyone. There's no real narrative, it's almost 3 hours, has mixed voice overs from often unknown sources and many lingering shots of nature amongst battle. I think it's a masterwork from Terrance Malick and one of my favourites almost because of the reasons I addressed. It's a film I can just soak into, the pacing, cinematography and Hans Zimmer score makes for a dreamlike poetry and cinematic experience.

The cast is all excellent, but Jim Caviziel in particular stands out as a soulful presence gliding in and out of the lives of others. He seems to be observing the world and the war and the nature all with a detachment and also a spiritual awareness. A moral centre to the violence and war. The scenes of him and Sean Penn's character (who shares the opposite world view) are especially strong.

John Toll's cinematography is incredible, long grass blowing in the wind and smoke amongst trees has never looked so cinematic. The build up to the journey to the line sequence is also outstanding with a flowing steadi-cam or crane moving through the chaos accompanied by the Hans Zimmer score building and building to an emotional climax. Very powerful.

I do have to be in the right mood for this classic though. But the blu ray is an excellent transfer and looks and sounds brilliant. Highly recommended.