The Thin Red Line (1964): Cast & Plot
The Thin Red Line is a 1964 war film directed by Andrew Marton, starring Keir Dullea as Pvt. Doll, Jack Warden and Ray Daley. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 39m (99 min)
- Director
- Andrew Marton
- Genre
- War
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Allied Artists
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Thin Red Line About?
The premise of The Thin Red Line without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Set during the 1942 Allied invasion of Guadalcanal, the film follows Private Doll (Keir Dullea), a fearful soldier who steals a pistol for protection. Battle‑scarred Sergeant Welsh (Jack Warden) despises him as a coward. After Doll kills a Japanese soldier and feels remorse, he later assaults an enemy machine‑gun post, becoming as ruthless as Welsh. The two must cooperate clearing mines when a Japanese raid hits their platoon.
The Thin Red Line Themes & Keywords
· 4 tags- world war two
- anti war
- based on novel
- independent film
The Thin Red Line Cast & Characters
Keir Dullea leads the cast as Pvt. Doll, with Jack Warden as First Sgt. Welsh and Ray Daley as Capt. Stone. Directed by Andrew Marton; 12 actors are credited in all.
- Director Andrew Marton
-
Keir Dullea as Pvt. Doll -
Jack Warden as First Sgt. Welsh - Ray Daley as Capt. Stone
- Stephen Young as Stack
Also Starring in The Thin Red Line
· 8 more- James Philbrook Col. Tall
- Kieron Moore Lt. Band
- Steve Rowland Mazzi
- Mark Johnson Medic
- Bob Kanter Fife
- Jim Gillen Capt. Gaff
- Jason Fithian Pvt. Smalls
- Merlyn Yordan Judy
More from Andrew Marton
More films directed by Andrew Marton, best-rated first: The Longest Day, The Fight for Rome II - The Betrayal, Africa: Texas Style! and Birds Do It.
The Thin Red Line Plot Summary
What happens in The Thin Red Line from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
On a troopship bound for Guadalcanal, an American infantry battalion braces for a landing as tension between Welsh and Doll rises. Doll claims he handed Welsh important reports, but Welsh insists he never received them. Their exchange is overheard by their company commander, Stone, who pulls them aside for a private confrontation. The Captain informs Welsh that he witnessed Doll hand over the reports, and Welsh responds with a blunt reminder that war is insanity and the only way the men can survive the upcoming battle is to live with that fact. > war is insanity and the only way the men can survive the upcoming battle is to live with that fact.
Full summary
The whole story of The Thin Red Line, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Thin Red Line?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which two soldiers have a tense exchange about important reports aboard the troopship?
Seen The Thin Red Line?
Movies Like The Thin Red Line
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Thin Red Line, Beach Red and The Big Red One.
The Thin Red Line FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Thin Red Line, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Thin Red Line?
The Thin Red Line runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).
When was The Thin Red Line released?
The Thin Red Line was released on May 2, 1964.
Who directed The Thin Red Line?
The Thin Red Line was directed by Andrew Marton.
More films by Andrew Marton Who is in the cast of The Thin Red Line?
The Thin Red Line stars Keir Dullea as Pvt. Doll, Jack Warden as First Sgt. Welsh and Ray Daley as Capt. Stone, among 12 credited actors.
Does The Thin Red Line have a post-credit scene?
No. The Thin Red Line has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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