Originally Posted by Mr_Blastman



"The Thin Red Line" was exceptional, in terms of filmmaking and display of the brutality of war. In the end, the message as I recall was one of anti war and sorrow. Definitely not a "Saving Private Ryan." War is hell, and despite being a bit weird, this wasn't an ABC Hollywood experience, but far more of a contemplative one, as most of Terrence Malick's films are.



You are correct on all counts so the fact that Hollywood didn't market the film that way suggests to me that they were worried not enough people would pay and show up to see it. Judging by the box office performance I hate to admit Hollywood was right.

“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”