Thin Red Line and the Bagahvad Gita: Lindsay Conrad

The use of animals was interesting in this film, because I saw more than once the effect of the war on people through the interaction with the animals. The croc at the beginning of the movie was a great sign of impending doom for the soldiers. These men were getting ready to be sitting ducks in a very dangerous area with the Japanese. The use of the bird that was sick from oil spills and was suffering was an interesting indication of the way things were going. All the men were scared to move forward because they were approaching their death, but as they were learning how to survive and take care of themselves, one of them men touched a leaf and as he did it shriveled. As they did that they were thinking they could control their circumstances. The use of these animals in the progress of the movie show the pain and agony that most of them feel as they are suffering through the war - mostly alone and scared.
The beginning of the movie starts with a quote by the main character: "I heard people talk about immortality, but I ain't seen it." It seems as though he is seeking reconcilliation for the wrongs that have occurred in his life and in others. The reflection that seems to take place is also showing different aspects of nature. The seeming beauty of nature shows a stark contrast to the war that was going on. Only God would be able to portray such beauty int he midst of such destruction. There is also a moment when nature seems to be upset with the wiles of war. At one point a soldier had just taken a big step in battle and he was waiting for his next assignment. He put his finger out to touch a leaf, and the entire leaf coiled within itself to get away from the filth and destruction that this man held in his hands.
There was another instance where one of the soldiers said over and over "let me not betray my men" and by that I think he was trying to not be selfish in the act of war. Another soldier said that we have to shut our eyes and let nothing touch you and look out for yourself. I think that is what the crazy soldiers do, but the begging not to betray the men is a sense of the sublime within the mortal realm. So to ignore the needs of the desperate world would be to deny ourselves the right to love one another in the moment when we are still of this world.
Seeing death loom closer to your people can create a heightened tension or a sense of peace is one is looking closer to what the main character talks about with immortality. Maybe here is where death is a gateway to that which is otherwise impossible and seems to end your life so quickly- this seemingly senseless war.