The Thin Red Line
Movie, 1998, The '90s, Set in Journey to the Line
The Thin Red Line is #7 of 25 in release order and #7 of 25 in chronological order in the Hans Zimmer.
The story
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. It follows their journey, from the surprise of an unopposed landing, through the bloody and exhausting battles that follow, to the ultimate departure of those who survived.
The Thin Red Line recap
The Thin Red Line (1998) follows a U.S. Army rifle company through the battle for Guadalcanal in 1942, told through the inner voices of its soldiers. Terrence Malick writes and directs, adapting James Jones's 1962 novel. Private Witt (Jim Caviezel), who has deserted to live among Melanesian islanders, is caught and returned to C Company, where First Sergeant Edward Welsh (Sean Penn) mocks his faith in a better world. The company lands and is ordered up a ridge of grassy hills held by Japanese bunkers. The ambitious Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Tall (Nick Nolte) demands a frontal attack; Captain James Staros (Elias Koteas) refuses to waste his men, and Tall later relieves him. Captain John Gaff (John Cusack) leads a small group that takes a bunker, and the company overruns a Japanese camp. Private Jack Bell (Ben Chaplin) lives on memories of his wife, who later writes asking for a divorce. "Journey to the Line" plays under that advance, a slow, repeated string figure that keeps climbing without release.
The Thin Red Line ending explained
The Thin Red Line ends with Witt killed after drawing a Japanese patrol away from his comrades, and the company leaving the island by boat. Surrounded in a clearing, Witt raises his rifle and is shot. Welsh stands over his grave. A new commander, Captain Bosche (George Clooney), addresses the men, and they sail away as the voices go on asking questions. The novel was filmed once before, in 1964.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch The Thin Red Line
The Thin Red Line isn't on a US streaming service right now. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.6/10, Rotten Tomatoes 80%
Where it fits
- Release order: after The Prince of Egypt, before Gladiator.
- Chronological order: after The Prince of Egypt, before Gladiator.
Cast
- Jim Caviezel as Pvt. Robert Witt
- Nick Nolte as Lt. Col. Gordon Tall
- Sean Penn as 1st Sgt. Edward Welsh
- Ben Chaplin as Pvt. Jack Bell
- Elias Koteas as Capt. James Staros
- John Cusack as Capt. John Gaff
- Dash Mihok as Pfc. Don Doll
- John C. Reilly as Sgt. Maynard Storm
- Woody Harrelson as Sgt. William Keck
- Miranda Otto as Marty Bell
- Arie Verveen as Pfc. Charlie Dale
- Kirk Acevedo as Pvt. Alfredo Tella
Directed by Terrence Malick.