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 U.S. 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 Over-the-shoulder view of Pfc. Doll (Dash Mihok ) firing his M1 Garand at Japanese soldiers carrying a machine gun. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Doll's M1 Garand pinged out the empty en-bloc clip that hits his helmet. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Witt (Jim Caviezel ) and another soldier fire their M1 Garands. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A shocked Pvt. Bell (Ben Chaplin ) with his M1 Garand looks at Sgt. Keck (Woody Harrelson ). Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pfc. Doll (Dash Mihok ) emerges from the tall grass to fire at the MG position. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Witt (Jim Caviezel ) fires his M1 Garand during the assault on Hill 210. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Bell (Ben Chaplin ) with his M1 Garand during the assault on Hill 210. 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. Ash (Thomas Jane ) with the M1 Garand resting on his leg while holding an M1911A1. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Coombs (Matt Doran ) with an M1 Garand crouching in the river. Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1 Garand with M1 bayonet - .30-06 Error creating thumbnail: File missing Pvt. Bell (Ben Chaplin ) in rage 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 anachronistically 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 ). M1 Carbines were issued only after the Battle of Guadalcanal.
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. Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk. III* A native scout is briefly seen with a British Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* rifle during the landing on Guadalcanal. Another scout carries an SMLE in a deleted scene.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mark III* - .303 British Error creating thumbnail: File missing The scout (background; without a helmet) with his rifle over his shoulder. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The striking magazine and straight bolt-handle of the carried SMLE are seen in center. M1903A1 Springfield A sniper (Mickey Rourke ) in a deleted scene has a scoped M1903A1 Springfield rifle.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1903A1 Springfield sniper rifle fitted with a 7.8x Unertl scope - .30-06 Springfield. This rifle was used in Letters from Iwo Jima Error creating thumbnail: File missing "I remember you. " Error creating thumbnail: File missing After a conversation with Pvt. Witt he sets off again. 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 U.S. 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 during a reconnaissance patrol. 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 ) lays down suppressing fire. 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 M2HB Two Browning M2HB machine guns can be seen mounted onboard the Victory Class transport ship.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Browning M2HB - .50 BMG Error creating thumbnail: File missing One M2HB with a shield being checked by a sailor in the background. BAR 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 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 Pvt. Sico (Robert Roy Hofmo ) clutches a Browning Automatic Rifle. 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 Colt 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 U.S. 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 Colt 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 One U.S. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. soldiers are seen using yellow MK II Hand Grenades . Before having the more appropriate olive-drab color, Mk. II grenades used on Guadalcanal were painted bright yellow to show they were high-explosive. At one point we see Sgt. Keck (Woody Harrelson ) straightens 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 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 a grenade off his belt but grabs it by the pin. The writer clearly does not know how grenades work. Since the grenade is hooked to his belt by the lever, which flies off when the pin is pulled, the grenade would have simply dropped to his feet instead. To make this scene work, the grenade here is attached to his belt with a wire. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Sgt. Keck (Woody Harrelson ) realizes how screwed he is. Oerlikon 20 mm 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 Error creating thumbnail: File missing A pair of Oerlikon 20mm cannons. The left-hand drum incorrectly has no markings. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another view of the same gun between Colonel Gordon Tall (Nick Nolte ) and Brig. Gen. Quintard (John Travolta ). Bofors 40 mm 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 A wheeled trailer mounting Bofors at Henderson Field. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Bofors on the right next to Capt. Bosche. M101A1 Howitzer U.S. soldiers fire M101A1 Howitzers during the attack on Hill 210.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M101A1 Howitzer - 105x372mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing An M101A1 is seen behind Brig. Gen. Quintard (John Travolta ) onboard the transport ship. Error creating thumbnail: File missing U.S. soldiers fire the Howitzer what makes Colonel Gordon Tall (Nick Nolte ) wince. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another Howitzer in the background also being fired. Axis Weapons Rifles Arisaka Type 38 Japanese soldiers are seen mainly using Arisaka Type 38 rifles. A few Arisakas are carried by U.S. soldiers after the Hill 262 battle, as well, Pfc. Beade (Nick Stahl ) in a deleted scene.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Arisaka Type 38 - 6.5x50mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing Two Japanese soldiers start a Banzai charge with their Arisaka Type 38 rifles. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A line of Japanese soldiers hold Arisaka rifles with fixed Type 30 bayonets awaiting the American assault. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Another Japanese soldier is gunned down while holding his Arisaka. Error creating thumbnail: File missing An unused Arisaka Type 38 lays at the top of a trench at Hill 262. Note the under-mounted sling swivel that identifies it as a Type 38. Also worth mentioning is the rifle in the background which has an opened chamber. Error creating thumbnail: File missing U.S. soldiers exchange captured Arisakas, bayonets, and swords 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 short rifle with monopod - 7.7x58mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier firing an Arisaka Type 99 equipped with the monopod. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A running Japanese soldier fires his Arisaka Type 99 at Pvt. Witt (Jim Caviezel ) as he flees. The side-mounted sling swivel is visible. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier holds his Arisaka Type 99 on Pvt. Witt (Jim Caviezel ) trying to get him to surrender . Machine Guns Nambu Type 96 The Nambu Type 96 Light Machine Gun is used by Japanese soldiers
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Nambu Type 96 without 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 - 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 Nambu Type 3 - 6.5x50mm SR Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Type 3 HMG looking out of a machine gun emplacement on Hill 210. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier prepares to fire the HMG at the Americans. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Japanese soldier firing his Type 3 before being overrun. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Japanese soldiers carry the Type 3 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.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Nambu Type 14 - 8mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing A sitting Japanese lowers pistol as a sign to surrender what is misinterpreted by the U.S. next to him because another GI in the foreground is hit. Note the position of the cocking piece, which is locked back. 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 Some Japanese soldiers can briefly be seen using Type 97 Hand Grenades .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Type 97 Hand Grenade Error creating thumbnail: File missing A Japanese soldier doesn't want to surrender and prepares to commit suicide. Type 98 20 mm AA/AT Gun A Type 98 20mm cannon 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 shoots a Japanese soldier attacking him with a Katana. Type 97 81 mm Infantry Mortar The Type 97 Mortar is seen on Hill 262.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Type 97 Infantry Mortar - 81 mm (3.2 in) Error creating thumbnail: File missing The mortar among rounded up desperate Japanese prisoners. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The overturned morar in the jumbled camp in the aftermath. Type 38 75 mm Field Gun A Type 38 75 mm field gun is also seen on Hill 262.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Type 38 Field Gun - 75x294mm R Error creating thumbnail: File missing A front view of the field gun to the right during the intensive fight for the Japanese camp. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The gun seen on the left as Colonel Gordon Tall (Nick Nolte ) needs to talk with Capt. Staros (Elias Koteas ) after the assault. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Colonel Gordon Tall (Nick Nolte ) thinks about what happened which allows a rear view of the Type 38. 
