The Thin Red Line: Criterion Collection Blu-ray

The Thin Red Line from the Criterion Collection is a widescreen Blu-ray special edition of Terrence Malick’s war film about the World War II battle for Guadalcanal. Its listed extras include a high-definition digital restoration, crew commentary, interviews, archival audition footage, and outtakes.

At a glance

A film centered on the Guadalcanal battle, presented as a philosophical meditation on combat, nature, and violence.
The listing describes a director-approved special edition with a high-definition digital restoration.
Extra features include crew audio commentary, interviews, archival casting-audition footage, and outtakes.

Price

$19.98Save 50%

Reference price: ~~$39.95~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

The special-edition extras offer material about the production and casting beyond the feature film.
Widescreen presentation and the listed 2.35:1 aspect ratio suit the film’s stated format.

Technical specifications

14 specifications

Film and edition
Genre	War movie
Edition and format	Blu-ray, DTS Surround Sound, NTSC, Special Edition, Widescreen
Aspect ratio	2.35:1
Runtime	2 hours and 50 minutes
MPAA rating	R (Restricted)
Release date	September 28, 2010
Number of discs	1
Studio	Criterion Collection

Audio and language
Listed language	English
Additional language detail	Italian (Dolby Digital 5.1)

Cast
Contributors	Adrien Brody, Benjamin Green, James Caviezel, Kirk Acevedo, Nick Nolte, Penelope Allen, Sean Penn
Actors	James Caviezel, Kirk Acevedo, Nick Nolte, Penelope Allen, Sean Penn

Dimensions and installation
Dimensions listed	0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 4 ounces

Identification
Item model number	CRRN1933BR

What to know before buying

Listing details to confirm

The listing is inconsistent about language: it names English in one field and Italian (Dolby Digital 5.1) in another. Confirm the disc’s available audio and subtitle options before buying, particularly if language choice matters.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Viewers seeking a Criterion Collection Blu-ray of Terrence Malick’s Guadalcanal war film.
Collectors interested in production interviews, crew commentary, casting footage, and outtakes.

Less suited to

Buyers who want a shorter film, since the listed runtime is 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Buyers who require a particular audio language or subtitle option without confirming the disc details.

The Thin Red Line: Criterion Collection Blu-ray · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.8 / 5 · 573 ratings

5 stars89%89%
4 stars8%8%
3 stars1%1%
2 stars1%1%
1 star1%1%

Customer feedback praises the cast and acting, cinematography, character development, and thought-provoking approach. Reactions to pacing are mixed, with some describing the opening as especially strong and others finding the film slow. That divide may matter for viewers considering its nearly three-hour listed runtime. Aggregate ratings are strongly favorable overall, but ratings do not establish which specific features each buyer valued.

Positive themes

Customers praise the cast and acting, cinematography, and character development.
The film is described in feedback as thought-provoking.

Mixed feedback

Pacing divides customer reactions. Some praise the opening, while others find the film slow.

Frequently asked questions

What is included in this special edition?

The listing names a high-definition digital restoration, crew audio commentary, interviews, an interview with the casting director featuring archival audition footage, and outtakes.

How long is the film?

The listed runtime is 2 hours and 50 minutes.

Which language is on the disc?

The listing names English in one field and Italian (Dolby Digital 5.1) in another, so confirm available audio and subtitles with the selected listing before purchase.