Review of The Thin Red Line (1998) by Eric M — 05 Sep 2014
"The Thin Red Line" is less a film about World War 2, and more a film about the universal horror of war that happens to be set in World War 2. Quite possibly the best shot combat I have ever seen in a film, truly capturing not only the horror but, interestingly, the hesitations of war.
The story of a group of Americans fighting in Guadalcanal, Terrence Malick, in his direction, manages not only to delve into the horrors of war but also illuminate the most basic yet profound questions of human existence.
Is God real, and what is His nature? Is man inherently good, or evil? How does both the beautiful and the ugly coexist in ourselves and our world? "Thin Red Line" is a marvel of juxtapositions, continually revealing the paradoxical nature of our existence.
The film itself is a paradox, both harrowing and enchanting. Beautiful cinematography, beautifully reflective music by Hans Zimmer, truly poetic writing and a great cast make for a transcendent film that is a challenging watch yet demands our attention and contemplation.
This review of The Thin Red Line (1998) was written by Eric M on 05 Sep 2014.
The Thin Red Line has generally received very positive reviews.
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