Kim Robinson - thin red line

The final movie that we watched in this class was The Thin Red Line. I remember when the film came out and now that I look back and realize that it came out 12 years ago I’m amazed, I didn’t think it was that long ago, I was only 8. However, I did see the film when it came out and now re-watching it gives me a different view on it (either that or being told what to look for did it). The first thing I noticed each time watching it, was how the movie was filmed. From a cinematography standpoint the film is amazing. The images filmed that aren’t focused on the characters themselves helps to portray the emotions and feelings that the people are experiencing. Another thing that sticks out from the film is frailty of life. In war death happens all around and it’s sad that it takes an event like that or even a portrayal of that kind of event for people to realize it. We watch as Sgt. Keck blows himself up with a grenade. Even more than the frailty of death, we see those in charge play God. Col. Tall is in command and no matter how many lives he has to spare he wants to impress those higher up then him. Capt. Gaff struggles as he decides whether to disobey a command and save the lives of his men or follow orders and watch them die. Life is short and who are we as a country that expects the few to die for us all, and not by choice alone. World War II enlisted many men who never wanted to go to war, it is not like today where people are signing up to join military service. These soldiers didn’t have a choice to fully live their already short lives, and they were shortened even more due to this war.