Trailer

The Thin Red Line (1998)

R   |    |  Drama, War

The Thin Red Line (1998) Poster

Adaptation of James Jones' autobiographical 1962 novel, focusing on the conflict at Guadalcanal during the second World War.

7.6/10
168,188
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78 Metascore

Videos

Photos

  • Lynn Redgrave at an event for The Thin Red Line (1998)
  • Nick Nolte and Vicki Lewis at an event for The Thin Red Line (1998)
  • Nick Nolte and Vicki Lewis at an event for The Thin Red Line (1998)
  • Mark McGwire at an event for The Thin Red Line (1998)
  • John Travolta and Nick Nolte in The Thin Red Line (1998)
  • Jim Caviezel in The Thin Red Line (1998)

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Awards

Nominated for 7 Oscars.

Another 20 wins & 40 nominations.

Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
15 December 1999 | kevin-193
9
| Superb, emotive filmmaking
I'm very sorry I didn't get to see this film in the theatre. It is a beautifully filmed masterpiece with a superb story, excellent acting (esp. Nick Nolte), and a great script. It takes things way deeper than Saving Private Ryan or most other modern war movies dare to go. Very introspective and dreamy at times, with the camera constantly dwelling on faces, animals, and the landscape. Merrick is never in a hurry, and this pace suits the film well.

The Thin Red Line asks a lot of good questions about death, war, and the ultimate meaning of life. Now that I have seen it, I'm very surprised that this film did not win picture of the year. Spielberg's film was a gritty, realistic portrayal of war. But it was also highly commercial and had a very contrived plot. In comparison, this film sort of wanders through itself and in the process helps to put you in the boots of the soldiers it portrays.

My only criticism is perhaps the film was a bit long, but I never noticed that the second time through. I can't praise this film enough. Excellent work.

Metacritic Reviews

Critic Reviews

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Did You Know?

Trivia

It is the only Best Picture Oscar nominee that year that did not win any Academy Awards.

Quotes

Private Edward P. Train: What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?

Goofs

Despite the suggestion that the reference to an "Air Force Captain" was not a goof because the "US Army Air Forces" had been renamed (formerly "Air Corps") in 1941, the term "Air Force" was never used in WWII. The character's wife would have said "Air Corps Captain," because that term was used in everyday speech throughout the war.

Crazy Credits

Composer Wrangler. . . Moanike'ala Nakamoto

Soundtracks

The Unanswered Question
Composed by Charles Ives
Performed by Orchestra of St. Luke's (as The Orchestra of St. Luke's)
Conducted by John Adams

Storyline

Plot Summary

Synopsis (WARNING: Spoilers)

Genres

Drama | War

Details

Release Date:

15 January 1999

Language

English, Tok Pisin, Japanese, Greek

Country of Origin

USA, Australia

Filming Locations

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$52,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$282,534 27 December 1998

Gross USA:

$36,400,491

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$98,126,565

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