The Thin Red Line (1964): cast, story & where to watch
1964 · Film · ★ 6.4
Released in 1964, The Thin Red Line is a war film directed by Andrew Marton, running about 99 minutes.
What it’s 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’s in it. The Thin Red Line stars Keir Dullea as Pvt. Doll, Jack Warden as First Sgt. Welsh, James Philbrook as Col. Tall and Bob Kanter as Fife, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.4/10, The Thin Red Line has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Thin Red Line page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Thin Red Line tend to enjoy Schindler's List, Grave of the Fireflies, The Pianist and Apocalypse Now.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Thin Red Line (1964)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Thin Red Line change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Thin Red Line worth watching?
- The Thin Red Line holds an audience score of 6.4 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy war. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Thin Red Line?
- The Thin Red Line stars Keir Dullea, Jack Warden, James Philbrook, Bob Kanter and Ray Daley.
- When was The Thin Red Line released?
- The Thin Red Line was released in 1964, with a runtime of about 99 minutes.