Beautiful and moving.

Rating: 10/10 (3 January 2001)

The Thin Red Line takes the standard war movie (lots of violence, little substance, 'happy' ending where the good guys crush the bad guys) and changes it, makes it something more meaningful. The film's philosophical tone, the beautiful images of nature contrasted against the horror of war, the moving story, flawless direction, brilliant performances all round (with the exception of a slightly mis-cast Travolta) will astound and impress anyone willing to take the time to appreciate it's brilliance
The theme of nature, and the nature of man, lend this film substance on a level which most movies lack. A cinematic device whereby we can here characters thoughts as they try to make sense of what they see taking place around them provides an efficient way of allowing us to better understand them and is also a better vehicle than a narrative voice over for the moral and even existential questions which the film puts to us.
The soldiers experience of the war is imparted to the viewer clearly through strong character development and wonderful camera work and cinematography. Many low angle shots make us feel as if we too are lying in the grass with the soldiers, every gunshot and artillery shell is felt as well as seen.
Terrence Malick has created a film which needs to be seen time and time again to better appreciate its texture and depth, as well as for its contrasts of pure visual beauty and horrific battle images.