Based on the novel by James Jones, THE THIN RED LINE tells the story of a group of men, an Army Rifle company called C-for-Charlie, who change, suffer and ultimately make essential discoveries about themselves during the fierce World War II battle of Guadalcanal. The story takes place as Army troops are moved in to relieve battle-weary Marine units. It follows their journey, from the surprise of an unopposed landing, through the bloody and exhausting battles that follow, to the ultimate departure of those who survived.
The story is more than a tale of men fighting a key battle, one which would ultimately stem the Japanese advance through the Pacific Islands. It explores the intense bonds that develop between men under terrible stress, even evil; to Jones, who served with an Army unit in Guadalcanal, the soldiers' feelings and emotions developed into nothing less than a sense of love. .. of family. The horrors of war helped them lose their idea of self and of the world around them. They were no longer fighting solely for patriotic reasons or the larger world and its issues which had brought them there; they were fighting for survival and for the men next to them.
The motion picture THE THIN RED LINE marks the return to the director's chair by Terrence Malick, who also wrote the screenplay. Malick made two previous pictures, "Badlands" and "Days of Heaven. " For the latter, he received Best Director nods from the New York Film Critics, the National Film Critics and the Cannes Film Festival. Malick attended the Center for Advanced Film Studies at the American Film Institute, where he first met AFI founder and THE THIN RED LINE executive producer George Stevens, Jr.
Malick's adaptation of Jones' work adds a new thematic strand, as it creates a strong awareness of the physical and anthropological environment in which this clash was fought. The film presents a juxtaposition of a vicious mechanized battle taking place in a pristine wilderness, where the forces of destruction collide with a people living in quiet harmony with their natural surroundings; these were the Melanesians of the Solomon Islands, whose way of life centers on family and tranquility.
In 1988 Malick suggested his idea of adapting James Jones' novel to producers Robert Michael Geisler and John Roberdeau, whereupon they approached the author's widow, Gloria Jones, and acquired the rights. Geisler and Roberdeau then went to Malick's friend and former agent, Phoenix Pictures chairman Mike Medavoy, to help develop, produce and bring the financing to the picture. Malick had originally intended only to write the screenplay. Comments George Stevens, Jr. and Mike Medavoy: "Terry was not initially planning to direct, but as time passed, he decided that THE THIN RED LINE would be his next directing project. "
In September, 1996, Malick and Phoenix approached producer Grant Hill, who was working on "Titanic" in Rosarita, Mexico. "Terrence and I developed a strong telephone relationship," comments Hill, "and I was delighted when he invited me to join him. "
Fox 2000 Pictures, under the stewardship of president Laura Ziskin, came aboard, and the film was given a "green light. " "Before we knew it," add Medavoy and Stevens, "we were in Australia, shooting the movie. "
One of the first priorities for Malick at this stage was to assemble a close group of old friends and collaborators; production designer Jack Fisk, first assistant director Skip Cosper, casting director Dianne Crittenden and editor Billy Weber had all worked on Malick's previous films. Added to this team were two Academy Award winners - cinematographer John Toll and composer Hans Zimmer. Fisk, who designed both "Badlands" and "Days of Heaven," found the opportunity to reunite with Malick irresistible. "When I heard that Terry was going make another film, I became jealous about even the possibility that somebody else would be designing it. So I sent him a fax, saying that I'd finally recovered from 'Days of Heaven' (on which they had collaborated twenty years earlier), and that I'd love to work with him again. "
THE THIN RED LINE also brings together an extraordinary cast of actors who play the men of C-for-Charlie Company and the officers who send them into battle. Among them are Sean Penn, Jim Caviezel, Ben Chaplin, George Clooney, John Cusack, Woody Harrelson, Elias Koteas and Nick Nolte. Says George Stevens, Jr. : "I don't recall a picture like this where so many gifted performers were willing to accept whatever role was offered. It presented a tremendous opportunity to Terry.
"I think there are two reasons for this," Stevens continues. "One is that they admired the story and the script. Then, of course, each of these men had a very strong desire to work with Terry Malick. "
Malick's appreciation of actors and their work was also a significant factor in assembling the cast. "Terry knows many actors personally and enjoys a tremendous rapport with them," comments Hill. The director's vision of the story and characters were further enticements. "I would guess that they wanted to be participants in Terry's vision," adds Hill, "and have the opportunity to experience a different and rewarding directorial approach. "
Cast members were pleased to take on any role, large or small, for the chance to work on THE THIN RED LINE. Says Nick Nolte, who plays Colonel Tall: "It was a great pleasure working with Terry. He's done very few films, so when he does direct, it seems like his last time. So he never compromised. "
Adds Ben Chaplin, "I took the role of Private Bell without hesitation. Terrence's first two films were classics, and I knew THE THIN RED LINE would be a once in a lifetime opportunity. "
Echoes Woody Harrelson, who plays Sergeant Keck: "Terry was wonderful to work with. I've always thought that if a movie is going to work, the people involved need to become something of a family. That's exactly the type of environment Terry created. "
While pleased at the list of star talent that was coming aboard the project, the filmmakers were determined to find some relatively new faces to take on key roles. With more than fifty speaking parts, the casting process was long and exhaustive.
Among the new "recruits" was Jim Caviezel, who takes on the role of Private Witt, from Kentucky. The opportunity was certainly not lost on the young actor. "I count myself very fortunate not only to be in this movie, but to have the role of Witt; he's a real hero, and a wonderful character to have played. "
Fox 2000 Pictures presents, from Phoenix Pictures, in association with George Stevens, Jr. , a Geisler • Roberdeau production, Sean Penn, Adrien Brody, Jim Caviezel, Ben Chaplin, George Clooney, John Cusack, Woody Harrelson, Elias Koteas, Nick Nolte and John C. Reilly in THE THIN RED LINE. The film is directed by Terrence Malick. The screenplay is by Terrence Malick, based upon the novel by James Jones. The producers are Robert Michael Geisler, John Roberdeau and Grant Hill, with George Stevens, Jr. as executive producer. The director of photography is John Toll, A. S. C. , the production designer is Jack Fisk, and the film editors are Billy Weber, Leslie Jones and Saar Klein. Music is by Hans Zimmer.
