A truly remarkable assault on the senses.

Rating: 10/10 (12 September 1999)

"The Thin Red Line," is a stunning film which enriches the viewer through its remarkable assault on the eyes, ears, and mind. Filled with breathtaking cinematography and powerful music, this film forgoes traditional "plot" in favor of lyricism. Essentially this is poetry that is not written but seen and heard.
Malick is known for his two previous films, "Badlands" and "Days of Heaven." This is his first film in 20 years. It takes place in World War 2 in Guadalcanal, but its focus and its point is not on the mechanics of war, but of man's place in nature, and his struggle to find meaning on earth. The film is filled with voice-overs of soldiers struggling with thier innermost thoughts and the dialogue is filled with philosophical musings. It is a movie that, if you have any poetic bone in your body, will stick with you long after you see it. Those expecting an action-packed traditional war film should steer clear of it. This is a difficult, unique, powerful, poetic and brilliant motion picture. That enough adjectives for you? Turn all the lights off, turn the sound up, rent the widescreen version if you can, and watch it with a good sound system. Sit back and let this film envelop you. And if possible, see this film in the theater, because if any film was meant to be seen on the silver screen and not the boob-tube then is it!!! 10 out of 10.