Who stole the good that was given to mankind? How can you find glory in a dying bird? I can't really say that I know. Nor can I say this movie answers those questions (maybe that'll be in the sequel). What I can say is this movie exposes those questions and more like them in a way that is truly remarkable.

The Thin Red Line is not simply a war movie. It presents a study in the Nature of Man. Look for this one in the "Nature of Man" section of your local video store. A portrait of American troops fighting to secure the strategic island of Guadalcanal is placed within a picture of nature. This constant reminder of man within nature allows us to contemplate those same questions that have hounded people who walk under signs such as "Anthropology Department" each day.

What is the nature of man? In one scene we watch and listen as the members of an infantry division try to comprehend their place as a pawn ordered up a well-fortified hill on an island somewhere in the Pacific. In another scene we go along playfully with the natives of the island who have little concern over anything associated with their new neighbors on the island. Further, we are exposed to the Japanese who turn out not to be mere machine gun turrets that mow down Americans. They are actually scared and worn and confused, a lot like their American counterparts.

The appeal of this movie comes from the way in which it flows. It moves from character to character, viewpoint to viewpoint, each one unique. There is no single character we can grab on to. The fight doesn't end at the top of the hill. That's war. That's life. This separates The Thin Red Line from other movies.

And what characters there are in this movie! Nick Nolte and Sean Penn are superb. Their performances create another dimension. Clooney served as a diversion and could have remained in the ER but everyone else is fantastic. Characters, story line, and direction power this film. They combine to create a fantastic portrayal of war and a thought-provoking experience.