Based on James Jones' semi-autobiographical novel, United States Army Private Witt goes AWOL from his unit and lives among the carefree Melanesian natives in the South Pacific. He is found and imprisoned on a troop carrier by First Sergeant Welsh of his company. Witt is returned to an active duty unit preparing for what will be the Battle of Guadalcanal. As Witt goes ashore in the company of his fellow soldiers, he ruminates on life, death, and nature as they all meet diverse fates.
Did you know? Terrence Malick had a falling out with the producers during pre-production. By the time they were filming, their relationship had so deteriorated that Malick barred them from visiting the set. Read More
Adrien Brody came to the premiere expecting to see himself as the lead character, unaware that most of his scenes had been cut from the film without his consent. Brody was shocked when he saw that he was barely featured in the movie.
Elias Koteas' character's original name, Stein, appears on his uniform. This is because Terrence Malick changed the name extremely late into production.
Terrence Malick had a falling out with the producers during pre-production. By the time they were filming, their relationship had so deteriorated that Malick barred them from visiting the set.
Billy Bob Thornton recorded a narration for the two hour and fifty minute epic. However, none of the narration from Thornton is in the final print.
Sign up and get access to some cool features. Create watchlists, check in at movies, rate them or even write whole reviews! You can also share literally everything on Moviebuff with your friends, enemies, frenemies, family, babysitter or pets. Is that enough incentive for you?