The Thin Red Line
Film Poster
Country
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Directed by
Terrence Malick
Release Date
December 25, 1998
Language
English
Studio
Fox 2000 Pictures
Distributor
20th Century Fox
The Thin Red Line 1964 film of the same name . This film features a very accurate, almost complete arsenal of genuine WWII Japanese weapons, a stark contrast to the original film where not a single Japanese weapon was seen. The film is a fictional account of engagement by the US Army to capture an entrenched Japanese position during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. The majority of the film was shot in Queensland, Australia, in the South Pacific, far more accurate to the location of the Solomon Islands than the original film's filming in Spain. One of the notable characters in the film is Cpt. Staros (Elias Koteas ), an intelligent, sensitive Army captain who refuses to send his men to their certain death on a futile frontal assault on a fortified Japanese position, which puts him at odds with the ambitious Lt. Col. Tall (Nick Nolte ). Other notable characters include the cynical and shrewd 1st. Sgt Welsh (Sean Penn ), Pvt. Bell (Ben Chaplin ) who is heavily devoted to his wife, and Pvt. Witt (Jim Caviezel ), a deserter who hates the Army, but loves the men of Charlie Company enough to rejoin them during the battle. The film's title derives a quote from Jones's book which reads, "they discover the thin red line that divides the sane from the mad... and the living from the dead..." Despite its seven Academy Award nominations, this film is often overlooked due to its release in the same year as Steven Spielberg 's World War II film Saving Private Ryan
The following weapons were used in the film The Thin Red Line :
Error creating thumbnail: File missing WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!
Allied Weapons Rifles M1 Garand The M1 Garand is the primary rifle of Charlie Company in the film and is used by Pvt. Witt (Jim Caviezel ), Pvt. Bell (Ben Chaplin ), Pvt. Coombs (Matt Doran ), Pfc. Beade (Nick Stahl ), Pvt. Ash (Thomas Jane ) and Pfc. Doll (Dash Mihok ).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1 Garand - .30-06. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pfc. Beade (Nick Stahl ) holds the M1 Garand as Charlie Company lands on the beach on Guadalcanal. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pfc. Doll (Dash Mihok ) fires his M1 Garand at Japanese soldiers on the hilltop. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Over-the-shoulder view of Pfc. Doll (Dash Mihok ) firing his M1 Garand. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Witt (Jim Caviezel ) and another soldier fire their M1 Garands. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Bell (Ben Chaplin ) with his M1 Garand. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pfc. Doll (Dash Mihok ) fires his M1 Garand. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Witt (Jim Caviezel ) fires his M1 Garand during the assault on Hill 262. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Bell (Ben Chaplin ) with his M1 Garand during the assault on Hill 262. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Close-up of an empty M1 Garand chamber. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Two soldiers cover a Japanese prisoner with M1 Garands. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Coombs (Matt Doran ) with an M1 Garand. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Ash (Thomas Jane ) with the M1 Garand resting on his leg while holding an M1911A1. Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1 Garand with M1 bayonet - .30-06 Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Bell (Ben Chaplin ) fires his M1 Garand, fitted with a bayonet. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Witt (Jim Caviezel ) shoots a charging Japanese soldier with his M1 Garand, fitted with a bayonet, during the assault on the village. M1 Carbine M1 Carbine rifles are used by the sergeants and officers in the film including Sgt. Keck (Woody Harrelson ), Sgt. McCron (John Savage ), Cpt. Gaff (John Cusack ), Cpt. Staros (Elias Koteas ), and 2nd Lt. Whyte (Jared Leto ).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Korean War Era M1 Carbine, with Birch Stock, Adjustable sight, bayonet lug, and twin magazine pouch - .30 Carbine Error creating thumbnail: File missing Capt. Staros (Elias Koteas ) has an M1 Carbine slung over his back. Note the carbine has on the barrel an anachronistic bayonet lug found on the M1 from the Korean War and on. Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1 Carbine - .30 Carbine. Error creating thumbnail: File missing 2nd Lt. Whyte (Jared Leto ) with an M1 Carbine. Note how the officer second to the right has a mark on his helmet, which indicates he peeled off the insignia - common practice to avoid being targeted by snipers. No other officer in the film wears insignia. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Capt. Staros (Elias Koteas ) with his M1 Carbine. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Sgt. McCron (John Savage ) contemplates the loss of his entire squad with his M1 Carbine rested on his shoulder. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Cpt. Gaff (John Cusack ) with his M1 Carbine. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Cpt. Gaff (John Cusack ) fires his M1 Carbine at Japanese soldiers. Submachine Guns M1928A1 Thompson M1928A1 Thompsons are carried by Pvt. Dale (Arie Verveen ), 1st Sgt. Welsh (Sean Penn ), Sgt. Storm (John C. Reilly ) among other US soldiers.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1928A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine - .45 ACP. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Sgt. Storm (John C. Reilly ) with an M1928A1 Thompson. Error creating thumbnail: File missing 1st Sgt. Welsh (Sean Penn ) searches the tall grass with his M1928A1 Thompson at the ready. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Dale (Arie Verveen ) with an M1928A1 Thompson. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Dale (Arie Verveen ) firing his Thompson. Error creating thumbnail: File missing 1st Sgt. Welsh (Sean Penn ) fires his Thompson during the assault on Hill 262. Error creating thumbnail: File missing 1st Sgt. Welsh (Sean Penn ) wades through the river carrying his Thompson. Machine Guns Browning Automatic Rifle M1918A2 Cpl. Queen (David Harrod ) keeps a Browning Automatic Rifle M1918A2 slung over his back, which he carries along with his Winchester 1897 . Pvt. Sico (Robert Roy Hofmo ) also carries one before he fakes sickness to avoid combat.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Browning Automatic Rifle M1918A2 - .30-06. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Sico (Robert Roy Hofmo ) clutches a Browning Automatic Rifle. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Cpl. Queen (David Harrod ) with a Browning Automatic Rifle slung over his back as Cpl. Fife (Adrien Brody ) looks up. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Cpl. Queen (David Harrod ) with his BAR, now with his Winchester slung on his back. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A soldier to the right lugs a BAR over his shoulders. Shotguns Winchester 1897 Cpl. Queen (David Harrod ) is seen using a Winchester 1897 shotgun, along with a BAR , although he is seen firing the Winchester rather than the BAR.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Winchester 1897 Trench - 12 Gauge. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Cpl. Queen (David Harrod ) with his Winchester 1897 shotgun in the high grass. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Cpl. Queen (David Harrod ) orders Japanese soldiers out of a bunker with his Winchester 1897 shotgun. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Cpl. Queen (David Harrod ) holds his Winchester 1897 shotgun on Japanese prisoners. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Cpl. Queen (David Harrod ) fires his Winchester 1897 shotgun at a Japanese soldier in a tree. Handguns M1911A1 Pfc. Doll (Dash Mihok ) steals an M1911A1 hanging from a bunk in the ship carrying Charlie Company to the island. He notably uses it when he charges a Japanese machine gun emplacement and fires it at them. Basically, every other US soldier also has an M1911A1 as their sidearm, although only a few soldiers such as Captain Gaff (John Cusack ) are seen using them.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1911A1 - .45 ACP. Error creating thumbnail: File missing An M1911A1 and holster hanging off a bunk before being stolen by Pfc. Doll (Dash Mihok ). Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pfc. Doll (Dash Mihok ) fires the M1911A1 at a Japanese machine gun emplacement. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pfc. Doll (Dash Mihok ) fires the M1911A1 at charging Japanese soldiers. In a deleted scene, Pfc. Doll (Dash Mihok ) fires his M1911A1 in the air. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Capt. Bosche's (George Clooney ) holstered Colt during the last briefing. Other M1A1 Flamethrower A US soldier is seen holding an M1A1 Flamethrower after Hill 262 is captured. He later uses it to torch the camp.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1A1 Flamethrower. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A US soldier in the background to the left is seen holding an M1A1 Flamethrower. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The soldier uses his Flamethrower to torch a straw hut. MK II Hand Grenade Several US soldiers are seen using MK II Hand Grenades in the film. At one point we see Sgt. Keck (Woody Harrelson ) straightening the folds on the pin of his grenade, which proves to be a fatal mistake on his behalf when the pin pulls too easily while still attached to his belt.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing MK II hand grenade. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A MK II grenade hanging on Capt. Staros' (Elias Koteas ) jacket. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A MK II grenade hanging on Pvt. Sico's (Robert Roy Hofmo ) jacket as he fakes sickness to avoid fighting. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Sgt. Keck (Woody Harrelson ) tries to pull an MK II grenade off his belt but grabs it by the pin. By straightening the pin's folds that hold it in place better, the pin pulled out all too easily. Note how the spoon is flying off. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Sgt. Keck (Woody Harrelson ) realizes how screwed he is. Oerlikon 20mm Cannon On the ship under the command of Brig. Gen. Quintard (John Travolta ) is a pair of Oerlikon 20mm Cannon mounted on a Mk 20 Mod 2 gun mount.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Twin Mark 4 Oerlikon L70 cannons in a Mark 24 mounting with Mark 14 Gyro Gunsight - 20x110mm RB. Note markings on left-handed snail drum. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A pair of Oerlikon 20mm cannons. The left-hand drum incorrectly has no markings. Bofors 40mm On the ship under the command of Brig. Gen. Quintard (John Travolta ) is a Bofors 40mm twin mount.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Bofors 40mm L/60 twin mounting - 40×311mmR Error creating thumbnail: File missing Twin Mounted Bofors Gun circled in red. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Bofors 40mm L/60 AA gun in a wheeled trailer mounting - 40x311mmR Error creating thumbnail: File missing The wheeled trailer mounting Bofors on the right next to Capt. Bosche. M101A1 Howitzer US soldiers fire M101A1 Howitzers during the attack on Hill 210
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M101A1 Howitzer - 105x372mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing US soldiers fire the Howitzer. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Howitzer in the background. Axis Weapons Rifles Arisaka Type 38 Japanese soldiers are seen mainly using Arisaka Type 38 rifles.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Arisaka Type 38 - 6.5x50mm. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Japanese soldiers with Arisaka Type 38 rifles. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier with an Arisaka Type 38 with fixed Type 30 bayonet. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another Japanese soldier is gunned down while holding his Arisaka. Error creating thumbnail: File missing US soldiers exchange Arisakas for goods. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier fires his Ariskaka Type 38. Arisaka Type 99 Some Japanese soldiers are seen using Arisaka Type 99 rifles with monopods.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Arisaka Type 99 battle rifle with monopod - 7.7x58mm. Error creating thumbnail: File missing An unused Arisaka Type 99 lays at the top of a trench at Hill 262. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier firing an Arisaka Type 99. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier fires his Arisaka Type 99 at Pvt. Witt (Jim Caviezel ) as he flees. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier holds his Arisaka Type 99 on Pvt. Witt (Jim Caviezel ) trying to surrender him . Machine Guns Nambu Type 96 The Nambu Type 96 Light Machine Gun is used by Japanese soldiers
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Type 96 Light Machine Gun (minus magazine) - 6.5x50mm Arisaka. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier fires a Nambu Type 96 through a smoke-screen. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier tries to defend Hill 262 from the American assault. Nambu Type 99 Japanese soldiers are also seen using Nambu Type 99 Light Machine Guns in the film.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Nambu Type 99 Light Machine Gun - 7.7x58mm. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier fires a Nambu Type 99 from the machine gun emplacement. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier goes Rambo and fires a Nambu Type 99 from the machine gun emplacement. Nambu Type 3 Japanese soldiers are seen using Nambu Type 3 Heavy Machine Guns in the film.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Type 3 Heavy Machine Gun - 6.5x50mm SR Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Nambu Type 3 Heavy Machine Gun looking out of a machine gun emplacement on Hill 262. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier prepares to fire a Nambu Type 3 Heavy Machine Gun at the Americans. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Japanese soldier firing his Nambu Type 3 Heavy Machine Gun before being overrun. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Japanese soldiers carry a Nambu Type 3 Heavy Machine Gun through the forest. Note the feed strips. Handguns Nambu Type 14 The issued sidearm of the Japanese Imperial Army is the Nambu Type 14 Pistol . One soldier is seen using it to commit suicide when refusing capture after Hill 262 is taken. Later in the film, we see Pfc. Doll (Dash Mihok ) showing off a Nambu pistol to fellow soldiers in a personnel transport truck, likely taken off a dead Japanese soldier on the Hill.
Nambu Type 14 - 8mm. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier shoots himself in the chest with his Nambu Type 14 pistol. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pfc. Doll (Dash Mihok ) shows off a captured Nambu Type 14 pistol and his chums are celebrating, all except a glum-looking Sgt. Becker (Don Harvey ) on the far right. Other Type 97 Hand Grenade Japanese soldiers use Type 97 Hand Grenades .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Type 97 High-Explosive Fragmentation Hand Grenade Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier doesn't want to surrender and prepares to commit suicide. Type 98 20mm AA/AT Gun A 20mm Japanese Type 98 AA/AT gun is seen in the Japanese camp during the assault on Hill 262.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Type 98 AA gun at the Chinese People's Revolution Military Museum in Beijing - 20x142mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Type 98 AA/AT gun is seen on the left as Pvt Bell shots a Japanese soldier attacking him with a Katana. Type 97 81mm Infantry Mortar The Type 97 Mortar is seen on Hill 262.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Type 97 81-mm Infantry Mortar. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Mortar among rounded up Japanese prisoners. Type 38 75mm Field Gun A Type 38 75mm field gun is also seen on Hill 262.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Type 38 75 mm Field Gun. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The field gun on the right. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The gun behind Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Tall (Nick Nolte ). 
