Artsy

Rating: 6/10 (21 December 1999)

This is one of those films that you have to see more than once before you truly get it.
I've only seen it once and caught myself asking 'was that guy the captain or the private that was in trouble' and so forth.
It seems Terrence Malick tried hard to make an 'artsy' film. For example, showing a dying baby bird, water running down a leaf, flashbacks to childhood, being able to hear the character's thoughts, musical score, and the juxtaposition of other images. I felt he was trying to create another 'Apocalypse Now'.
However, don't compare this film to 'Saving Pvt. Ryan'. Compare it to 'Apocalypse Now' and 'Pvt. Ryan' to 'The Big Red One'.
After my first viewing, I give 'The Thin Red Line' a 6.