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5 comments
12 comments
Rank This Matchup or Comment/Reply Below
on 9/24/2009
Here's one I have a lot to say about. These two films could not be more different, besides the fact that they are both WW2 films, and I think THE THIN RED LINE suffered criminal neglect in the shadow of PRIVATE RYAN, which was released a few months earlier to huge box office and positive reviews. THE THIN RED LINE was must more difficult for people to digest in 1998, one of the last years of true naivete before it became hip to release anti-war films; RYAN, with all it's flag-waving and heroic portrayals of soldiers and demonizing of Germans, is about as politically correct as a John Wayne movie. Terrence Malick's cinema is corrosive to agendas like that, but history is finding him increasingly important. One was directed by the guy who made THE LOST WORLD, and the other is directed by a Rhode Scholar.
on 7/4/2010
The Thin Red Line, hands down.
on 3/12/2011
I have been thinking about this pairing a lot, after seeing Saving Private Ryan for the fist time. I think I will actually go with The Thin Red Line, because it stands out not only as a piece of great cinematography, but also as a film that brings up many interesting questions about war.
When they were released in theaters, I chose to see the Thin Red Line. Looking back, I wish I had chosen Private Ryan.
No doubt about it, The Thin Red Line. I saw them both on release and liked Saving Private Ryan more. It's got the edge when it comes to gruelling, lengthy action sequences. Ultimately Malick does it better. Rewatching The Thin Red Line is a beautiful, haunting experience. The effect of war on the soul.
Wow, these comments surprise me. Both are intense good films but Saving Private Ryan is simply better.
on 12/1/2011
I don't know about you, I liked The Thin Red Line better. I liked the overall atmosphere and the characters better then Private Ryan.
on 1/22/2012
This one is easy.
on 1/26/2012
The Thin Red Line is my favourite movie of all time - SPR is just an average Spielberg effort.
on 1/27/2012
How can you seriously think SPR is better than The Thin Red Line? Don't get me wrong, I think SPR is great, but this isn't even close. Every Malick film is better than anything Spielberg ever did.
The Thin Red Line Had a better story and character development. Before the midway point I was already invested in the characters. SPR kinda just throws you into it and doesn't take the time to develop the characters. In fact I totally forgot SPR existed when I watched the show Band Of Brothers. I choose The Thin Red Line. Great film and great actors.
on 5/9/2012
AhhhH! this is too difficult...
on 7/10/2012
The Thin Red Line is the masterpiece here despite Ryan's stunning opening sequence.
on 8/21/2012
I find every scene to be excellent in Saving Private Ryan. Whist I like The Thin Red Line, I found that it dragged a lot. I don't find the patriotic stuff in Saving Private Ryan to be a problem as some do (I'm not even American and I think it's fine). Both films are unique and it's true that The Thin Red Line had an unlucky release date, but I still have to say that Saving Private Ryan is a much better film in my opinion.
on 1/24/2013
Pretty easy for me.
on 1/25/2013
The Thin Red Line for me. I usually rolls my eyes at the "Spielberg is a boy scout" argument. Yeah, he's a boy scout. But who gives a shit? Excuse the crude analogy, but cinema's a fucking rainbow, guys. Rainbow's aren't red, red, and red. We've got room for cinematic boy scouts. And when a guy makes movies like Jaws, Duel, and Jurassic Park, who cares how easy they are to digest? On a visceral level, Saving Private Ryan is fantastic. It's totally black-and-white, but it's still a damn fine movie. Still, I'll take TRL's combination of the serene and the chaotic. It's got some wonderful acting and the thing's filled with beautiful, beautiful moments. Some find it boring, and I totally get that, but I ain't one of those people.
The Thin Red Line by far.
on Mar 9
Both are great, but Malick's film was a bit too preachy, too long, and too self indulgent for me to choose it over Private Ryan. SPR also had a much smoother pace, imo.
on Apr 1
The Thin Red Line, no contest here.
on Apr 2
The Thin Red Line squanders it's star-studded cast on Malick's usual brand of vaguely-beautiful navel-gazing. Saving Private Ryan is the most emotionally impactful, and all-around best war film I've seen. My decision is easy.
