Review of The Thin Red Line (1998) by Justin G — 18 Aug 2012

A soldier, a poet and a lover reflecting life in a war that drives sensible men over the thin red line into savages.

I saw this movie first (and so far the only) time 13 years ago in the cinema. As a young kid I didn't know or understand much about movies back then. Let alone heard about Terrence Malick. But I remember I was mezmerized by the poetic narrative, the serene pictures of nature and the warmth with which some of the characters, mainly Witt and his relationship with the native Melanesians, were displayed.

When the closing credits were rolling I remember someone behind me cursing, seemingly bored and infuriated by the three hour session he had just gone through, that this should have been three different movies: a nature documentary, a romantic chick flick and a war film. Obviously he had come to see only one: the war flick. And I, I had come to see a good film by this enigmatic director who had been lost for 20 years. Sitting there, reflecting the film and listening this guy behind me, I realised I had seen one of the best war films ever made.

Now, seeing it the second time not much has changed. I had forgotten a lot from the movie but was still mezmerized by Malick's poetic images and his naturalistic / romantic / humanistic take on mankinds darkest hours. It remains one of the best war films ever made.