Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Kirk Acevedo | ... | Pvt. Tella | |
Penelope Allen | ... | Witt's Mother (as Penny Allen) | |
![]() |
Benjamin Green | ... | Melanesian Villager (as Benjamin) |
Simon Billig | ... | Lt. Col. Billig | |
Mark Boone Junior | ... | Pvt. Peale | |
Adrien Brody | ... | Cpl. Fife | |
![]() |
Norman Patrick Brown | ... | Pvt. Henry |
Jim Caviezel | ... | Pvt. Witt | |
Ben Chaplin | ... | Pvt. Bell | |
George Clooney | ... | Capt. Bosche | |
John Cusack | ... | Capt. John Gaff | |
![]() |
Jarrod Dean | ... | Cpl. Thorne |
Matt Doran | ... | Pvt. Coombs | |
Travis Fine | ... | Pvt. Weld | |
Paul Gleeson | ... | 1st Lt. Band |
U.S. Army Private Witt (AWOL) is found and imprisoned on a troop carrier by his company First Sergeant, Welsh.The men of C Company,1st Battalion,27th Infantry Regiment,25th Infantry Division have been brought to Guadalcanal as reinforcements in the campaign to secure Henderson Field and seize the island from the Japanese. They arrive near Hill 210, a key Japanese position. Their task is to capture the hill at all costs. What happens next is a story of redemption and the meaninglessness of war. Regardless of the outcome. Written by Frank Liesenborgs / Hans Delbruck
I'm very sorry I didn't get to see this film in the theatre. It is a beautifully filmed masterpiece with a superb story, excellent acting (esp. Nick Nolte), and a great script. It takes things way deeper than Saving Private Ryan or most other modern war movies dare to go. Very introspective and dreamy at times, with the camera constantly dwelling on faces, animals, and the landscape. Merrick is never in a hurry, and this pace suits the film well.
The Thin Red Line asks a lot of good questions about death, war, and the ultimate meaning of life. Now that I have seen it, I'm very surprised that this film did not win picture of the year. Spielberg's film was a gritty, realistic portrayal of war. But it was also highly commercial and had a very contrived plot. In comparison, this film sort of wanders through itself and in the process helps to put you in the boots of the soldiers it portrays.
My only criticism is perhaps the film was a bit long, but I never noticed that the second time through. I can't praise this film enough. Excellent work.