The Thin Red Line

RECOMMENDATION:

DESCRIPTION:

An adaptation of James Jones’s famous novel, chronicling the fate of a company of American soldiers fighting in the Battle of Guadalcanal. We witness the landing on the island, which unexpectedly meets resistance from the Japanese. The Americans fight bloody clashes with the enemy and evacuate the survivors. In a situation where the fight for victory turns into a fight for survival, the soldiers – from high-ranking commanders to ordinary privates – are bound by extraordinarily strong emotional ties that will more than once determine their fate…

GALLERY:

LET’S TALK ABOUT:

Malick’s film is considered a masterpiece of cinema that poses many fundamental questions to its viewers. Which of them do you remember? What does the director ask through the voices of his characters?

The central character of the film is Private Witt – he will be our guide – let us recall some of his words and try to grapple with them:

“War doesn’t ennoble men. It turns them into dogs… poisons the soul” – what do you think is the opposite of that poison? What heals human souls?

“I remember my mother when she was dying. She was all shriveled up and gray. I asked her if she was afraid. She just shook her head. I was afraid to touch the death I saw in her. I couldn’t find anything beautiful or uplifting about her going back to God. I heard people talk about immortality, but I hadn’t seen it.

I wondered how it’d be when I died, what it’d be like to know that this breath now was the last one you were ever gonna draw. I just hope I can meet it the same way she did, with the same… calm. ‘Cause that’s where it’s hidden – the immortality I hadn’t seen.”

Do you think Private Witt’s wish came true? Why do you think so?

A conversation between Sergeant Welsh and Private Witt:

“– Hey Witt, who you making trouble for today?
– What do you mean?
– Well, isn’t that what you like to do? You go left when they say go right. Why do you make so much trouble, Witt?
– You care about me, don’t you, Sergeant? I’ve always felt it. Though, one day I come and talk to you and the next day it’s like we never even met…
– You still believe in the beautiful light, don’t you? How do you do that? You’re a magician.
– I still see a spark in you.”

Do you ever see a SPARK of goodness or beauty in someone despite appearances to the contrary? Has anyone ever noticed that SPARK in you?

“How did we lose the good that was given us? We let it slip away. Scattered it, carelessly. What’s keeping us from reaching out and touching the glory?”

How would you answer Private Witt’s question?

Sergeant Welsh to Witt: “What difference do you think you can make? One man in all this madness?”

In what situations can one person change the world around them? How can this be achieved?

One of the commanders refuses to carry out an order – sending his soldiers to certain death.

Have you ever opposed someone despite the possible unpleasant consequences? In the name of what did you do so? If you cannot recall such a situation, think about hypothetical ones – for what reasons might you stand up against someone who could affect your work/quality of life/peace of mind, etc.?

In a dramatic scene, one of the officers pulls the pin of a grenade – he instinctively throws himself on the ground to shield his friends from the explosion. Do you ever “sacrifice” yourself for someone? For whom and in what way do you do it? Do you see value in it?

Which values from the list does “The Thin Red Line” explore, and why?

List of values:
Altruism, Assertiveness, Selflessness, Safety, Closeness, Heroism, Patience, Goodness, Spirit, Empathy, Hospitality, Politeness, Generosity, Honor, Humor, Creativity, Loyalty, Wisdom, Courage, Love, Motivation, Hope, Reliability, Nonconformity, Responsibility, Bravery, Composure, Optimism, Openness, Passion, Beauty, Humility, Peace, Ingenuity, Sacrifice, Beauty, Truth, Friendship, Punctuality, Joy, Reason, Integrity, Heart, Strength, Consistency, Respect, Sincerity, Happiness, Transcendence, Care, Honesty, Moderation, Orderliness, Mindfulness, Gratitude, Faith, Credibility, Knowledge, Faithfulness, Freedom, Sensitivity, Support, Compassion, Imagination, Perseverance, Commitment, Life