STARS: SEAN PENN, JIM CAVIEZEL, BEN CHAPLIN, ADRIEN BRODY, ELIAS KOTEAS, NICK NOLTE, JOHN C. REILLY, TIM BLAKE NELSON, JOHN CUSACK, WOODY HARRELSON, GEORGE CLLONEY, JOHN TRAVOLTA

This is a war film that focuses more on the battle within than without. It deals more with the guilt, the ambition, the sense of duty and the abject terror of the American soldiers whose mission it was to advance on a Japanese position in the south pacific during World War II.

Nick Nolte is the Lt. Col. Who has his first taste of war since joining the service, he sees this as the quick road to advancement in his career and will not hesitate to sacrifice his men in ORDER to do it. The man he most conflicts with is his direct report Capt. Staros (Elias Koteas)who does not agree but is forced to comply with his superior officers orders.

1st Sgt. Walsh (Sean Penn) is a man who wants only to feel nothing so that he can go on fighting the war, he is almost there and envies those who are numb to everything as a result of the traumas they have endured. He has a love hate relationship with Private Witt (Jim Caviezel), a man under his command who has a tendency to go AWOL. Witt is a man of deep feeling who wants nothing more that to live with natives, a peaceful people for whom he has a great respect and love.

The film is a series of small stories about the men in this campaign, much of the film is told through an inner monologue of the different characters and at times so many different perspectives are told you’re no quite sure whose perspective we have tapped into.

Director Terrence Malick has made a remarkably beautiful and introspective film, and deservedly was nominated for 7 academy awards. The mere fact that he was able to harness the talents of people like George Clooney, John Travolta, Woody Harrelson and John Cusack for cameos or bit parts tells you something of the respect these actors had either for the director or the script.

While there are not true lead actors in this film, Nick Nolte is at his mouth foaming best while the relationship between Sean Penn and Jim Caviezel and their different attitudes are a direct reflection of what this movie is all about.

THE EXTRAS

Theatrical Trailer

Melanesian Songs: Twelve songs are provided which form part of the soundtrack, they can be listened to in Dolby 2.0 and is an interesting addition to the DVD.

CONCLUSION

Easily one of the finest films I have ever seen, this film is not for everybody. This is the thinking mans war film where most of the action takes place in the hearts and minds of the soldiers.