The Thin Red Line

Poetic, beautifully shot and a wonderful cast. Cinema at it's most effective.

The original cut of this film was pushing seven hours in length.

I would quite happily watch this cut because I think this is the most tasteful, artistic and beautifully composed account of war I've ever seen commited to film.

The music and cinematography coincide to create a sense of absenteeism amongst its characters - as if they are walking through dreams. As a result, almost every frame on offer could be taken out of the screen and propped on a wall to be passed off as art.

The amount of great actors in this film is also astounding. And apparently over ten Hollywood A-listers were left on the cutting room floor (including Tommy Lee Jones and another two hours worth of George Clooney).

One day Malick should release the full uncut version of this film; although I'd probably be the only one to buy it.

You love this film or hate it !
I love it, as it is a very original take on a war movie. The settings are so beautiful, it's at times more a nature film, showing us as we kill each other, nature still carries on.
From the opening sequence as a Aligator slips into a swamp, to the long grass blowing in the breeze. You can tell this is a Terrence Malick movie , as the pace is very steady. But also it's a war movie and when the battes arrive they rearly do add contrast to the natural side of the movie. This is a vey rich and rewarding film if you have got the patiance for it. I can understand people not enjoying the film, as on my first viewing it did leave me cold. But on the second and third viewing the film opens up, and you can see the many different levels the film works on. This has to be one of the most beautiful films ever made. Give it a go, watch it twice, and you might find this is a excellent film.

Tedious rubbish, 21 Sep 2007
By T. Highfield "Terry Highfield" (UK) - See all my reviews

zzz...yawn...ah..Sorry just been watching this film and need time to wake up before writing a review.

This film is so long and tedious I have had to spread the viewing over three evenings. On the flip side though I have to point out that the problem with this film is certainly not the acting - that is very good. Its all the director who should haved stay away permantly, well I say director, after watching this film I can only describe him as a blind pathfinder with one leg short than the other.

It takes over 30mins of mindless drivel and pointless mind monologs before any fighting happens. Then when the action finally kicks in, it can only be compared to a flock of 50 seagulls fighting over a discarded portion of chips. Where, for need of special effect, some chips are filled with baking powder (boom!). In the fray of claws and lost feathers, one lone seagull sags with his head to the floor dreaming about the egg shell he hatched from and the nest he fell out of. Being that this is dipicted as important he will then spend another 20 minutes in a mind monolog trying to answer one of lifes most desperate questions... "What is a chip without a sausage?"

If you really like your brain the way it is then do not watch this film. Actually if you see a man who looks like he is about to jump off a roof. Before you find yourself yelling "Don't Jump!" check if he has just watched this film. For his brain has melted, and he has lost the will to live. Actually, if you find that you are kind of heart, do the poor man a favour and give him a nudge.

This film is one of those greats which can absorb you entirely if you let it. As with many of my favourite films of all time I was not too impressed on first viewing. This was probably due to my expectations being different to the type of film it is. It has a fantastic ensemble of cast including Jim Caviezel on top form, the brilliant Nick Nolte, Sean Penn and a best to date outing for Ben Chaplin. Woody Harrelson, John Travolta and George Clooney make cameo appearances.

The photography in this picture is amongst the most beautiful and artistic ever to be seen, the stark contrast between nature's beauty and the evil of war is thought provoking. The voice over, fantastic soundtrack and abstract scenes add to make this film an amazing experience. The scene when the marines storm the Japanese camp is a monumental one showing the true terror of war, this one scene is worth more than the whole of "Saving Private Ryan".

Well that is my view, if you have not seen this film then make sure you do. If you've seen it once and were not too impressed, give it another go like I did, you may be surprised.