The Thin Red Line

Name: The Thin Red Line
Genre: Action, Drama, War
Released: January 8, 1999
Duration: 170 min
Rating: 78
Cast: James Caviezel, Nick Nolte, Sean Penn

1999

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 263 Ratings

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8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 263 Ratings

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The Thin Red Line

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Movie Details & Credits

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: January 8, 1999 | TV-MA

Starring: James Caviezel, Nick Nolte, Sean Penn

Summary: The Thin Red Line tells the story of a group of men, an Army Rifle company called C-for-Charlie, who change, suffer and ultimately make essential discoveries about themselves during the fierce World War II battle of Guadalcanal. (Fox)

Director: Terrence Malick

Genre(s): Action, Drama, War

Rating: TV-MA

Runtime: 170 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

TNT RoughCut Graham Verdon

This just may be the greatest war movie ever made.

Mr. Showbiz Richard T. Jameson

It's the awesome, metaphysically charged spectacle of man doing terrible things to man within the multicolored and multifarious cathedral of Nature. Read full review

Film.com Tom Keogh

Misshapen but magnificent vision of a soulful quest -- in the thick of misery and fear -- for the meaning of our lives.

Film.com Peter Brunette

I was so taken by the film's sublime visual poetry, its telling silences, its finely orchestrated editing rhythms.

Roger Ebert

The movie's schizophrenia keeps it from greatness (this film has no firm idea of what it is about), but doesn't make it bad. It is, in fact, sort of fascinating: a film in the act of becoming, a field trial, an experiment in which a dreamy poet meditates on stark reality. Read full review

Stephen Hunter

A big, fat, gorgeous, mesmerizing mess. Read full review

Stanley Kauffmann

But it is precisely with these contrapuntal strands of huge, timeless nature, of the complexity of every human mind, that Malick bloats his film into banality. [Jan. 25, 1999]

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User Reviews

Jade

Dec 12, 2005

A beautiful and oftentimes awe inspiring meditation on war and conflict. I found it to be one of the more spiritualy nourishing films I have ever seen. That said it clocks in at 3+ hours and probably not a good recomendation for those who don't have art/foriegn film leanings.

2 of 2 users found this helpful

FinC

Sep 10, 2007

This isn't just a war movie. It's an existential examination of the nature of man's conflict within the context of nature, humanity, hierarchy and survival. The voice overs, the cinematography, the diaglogue, the acting, the tension, the brutality, the brotherhood....and who This isn't just a war movie. It's an existential examination of the nature of man's conflict within the context of nature, humanity, hierarchy and survival. The voice overs, the cinematography, the diaglogue, the acting, the tension, the brutality, the brotherhood....and who can forget the music. I could go on and on and on. A unforgettable cinematic masterpiece which gets better with each extra viewing. There can be no higher recommendation for a literary deconstruction on the nature of man and conflict. Quite simply breathtaking.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful

cabrita

Nov 21, 2011

I have seen all of Malick's films and have found them average and overated. However the thin red line stands alone. Malick captures human nature beautfully through war with intesnse and masterfully crafted war scenes. Malick's style has never worked so well in a film! One of the best moviesI have seen all of Malick's films and have found them average and overated. However the thin red line stands alone. Malick captures human nature beautfully through war with intesnse and masterfully crafted war scenes. Malick's style has never worked so well in a film! One of the best movies of all time!… Expand

6 of 8 users found this helpful62

smiyamot

Aug 29, 2016

This is not like any other war movie you've ever seen. It's much more about the soldiers and what they are thinking about than about the war around them. If you're looking for an action-shoot 'em up-bombs and explosions movie, this is NOT for you. Be in the right mood, sit back and absorbThis is not like any other war movie you've ever seen. It's much more about the soldiers and what they are thinking about than about the war around them. If you're looking for an action-shoot 'em up-bombs and explosions movie, this is NOT for you. Be in the right mood, sit back and absorb this movie.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Lumdog

Sep 27, 2021

Unfortunately this film came out the same year as Saving Private Ryan, which is a superior film in every way, hence The Thin Red Line is not talked about much. This is a very different war movie to others. It's a more introspective and philosophical portrayal of war; and less about theUnfortunately this film came out the same year as Saving Private Ryan, which is a superior film in every way, hence The Thin Red Line is not talked about much. This is a very different war movie to others. It's a more introspective and philosophical portrayal of war; and less about the violence. The cinematography is great, the cast is full of recognisable faces, sound design and editing is great. However, it's overly long length weighs it down. Scenes drag and it makes the film lack a focus, intensity and tightness which greater war films have.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

UltimateBub

Feb 2, 2015

This is definitely not a movie for everyone, it has a very select audience, but for those who liked it, "The Thin Red Line" is enjoyable. Although the film lacks a general focus and is way too long, the narrative must be praised, as well as the acting, score and battle scenes.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

HubCam

Jan 14, 2011

Was like suffering through a 2 hour Calvin Klein commercial, Apocalypse Now style.
My God what a heady bunch of crap!
Should be called the "The Thin Pink Line", 'cuz this was a complete Metro waste of film.

0 of 11 users found this helpful011

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25	#25 Best Movie of 1999
13	#13 Most Discussed Movie of 1999
20	#20 Most Shared Movie of 1999