The Thin Red Line

In 1998, World War 2 was presented on screen unlike any war movie that came before with Terrence Malick’s The Thin Red Line. As American forces move to take a key airfield on Guadalcanal, C Company moves in to reinforce the initial attack, which is successful despite heavy casualties and some dissension in the ranks. All of the action unfolds to some of the most beautiful scenery and music ever put on film thanks to Hans Zimmer and John Toll at their best. Many characters question life, death, and their purpose in the grand scheme of things, and through their actions, expressions, inner thoughts, and interactions, they share with the audience their realizations on whether a victory is actually possible. Receiving mostly positive critical acclaim, The Thin Red Line was challenged by Saving Private Ryan, with the latter receiving more awards and commercial success. Made for $52M, The Thin Red Line made $98M at the box office, forcing movie lovers to decide if they were willing to take a chance on a longer, high-minded movie of this kind. But does it hold up?  Listen as Jon, Colin and Brent go back to philosophy class and sort through the cameos, poetry and art to see if the thoughts evoked are as fondly powerful as they are beautiful, or if the destruction on screen is too far removed from the beauty, resulting in an uneven war film that flew too close to the sun.