The Thin Red Line
“It separates the coward from the brave The tough and the tender Sex and Love”
Synopsis
Set during the Allied invasion of the island of Guadalcanal in the Pacific theater during WWII, this film is based on the novel by James Jones. Keir Dullea is Private Doll, who dreads the invasion and steals a pistol to help him protect himself. Sergeant Welsh (Jack Warden), a caustic, battle-scarred veteran, hates Doll, whom he considers a coward. In battle, Doll kills a Japanese soldier and is filled with remorse, which further angers the sergeant. The next day, an emboldened Doll wipes out an entire enemy machine gun post and begins to feel as sadistic as Welsh. The two must work together to clear away some mines, but as they do, their platoon is surprised by a Japanese raid.
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Release History & Theatrical Window
May 2, 1964
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Andrew Marton
- Screenplay & Story
- Bernard Gordon
- Original Score
- Malcolm Arnold
- Original Title
- The Thin Red Line
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- Japanese, English, German
- Runtime
- 1h 39m
- Production Studios
- Allied Artists
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Andrew Marton
Bernard Gordon, James Jones
Malcolm Arnold
Manuel Berenguer
Derek Parsons
Department Leadership Roster
Andrew Marton
Director
Bernard Gordon
Screenplay
Derek Parsons
Editor
Malcolm Arnold
Original Music Composer
Manuel Berenguer
Director of Photography
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Thin Red Line.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Thin Red Line
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Thin Red Line about?
Set during the Allied invasion of the island of Guadalcanal in the Pacific theater during WWII, this film is based on the novel by James Jones. Keir Dullea is Private Doll, who dreads the invasion and steals a pistol to help him protect himself. Sergeant Welsh (Jack Warden), a caustic, battle-scarred veteran, hates Doll, whom he considers a coward. In battle, Doll kills a Japanese soldier and is filled with remorse, which further angers the sergeant. The next day, an emboldened Doll wipes out an entire enemy machine gun post and begins to feel as sadistic as Welsh. The two must work together to clear away some mines, but as they do, their platoon is surprised by a Japanese raid.
Who directed The Thin Red Line?
The Thin Red Line was directed by Andrew Marton.
Who stars in The Thin Red Line?
The principal cast of The Thin Red Line includes Keir Dullea, Jack Warden, James Philbrook, Bob Kanter, Ray Daley.
When was The Thin Red Line released and how long is it?
The Thin Red Line was released in 1964 with a total runtime of 1h 39m.
Who composed the musical score for The Thin Red Line?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Thin Red Line was composed by Malcolm Arnold.
Is The Thin Red Line based on a book or true story?
The Thin Red Line is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "James Jones".