The Thin Red Line Monologues

Adaptation of James Jones' autobiographical 1962 novel, focusing on the conflict at Guadalcanal during the second World War.

It's not necessary for you to ever tell me that you think I'm right. Ever. We'll assume it.

Rosy-fingered dawn. You're Greek, aren't you, Captain? Did you ever read Homer? We read Homer at the Point. In Greek.

Shut up in a tomb. Can't lift the lid. Playing a role I never concieved.

The only time you should start worrying about a soldier is when they stop bitchin'.

Staros, I'm relieving you of your command. Lieutenant Band wiII take over for you. I already told him. It's a hard thing to do. Difficult decision to make. I don't think you're tough enough here. You're too soft. You're just too softhearted. You're not tough-fibered enough. Anyways, it's my decision to make. I've already made it.

From their knob up there, those goddamn little brown brothers can cover the whole of the ground in front of this position for 1,000 yards. They've Ieft this Iedge unguarded. Now, goddamn it, that's a mistake. That's a heII of a mistake! We need to take advantage of it before they see their error. AII right, aII right, I know you're aII pretty exhausted, and we've had a heII of a time getting water up here. For that I'm sorry. I apologize to you aII. But if we can reduce this bunker tomorrow, I think we can take this ridge. So, I'm asking for volunteers. Go back up there and knock it out!

Get that blouse on, soldier. It's not a goddamn bathing beach!

You don't know what it feels Iike to be passed over. I mean, you're young. You're just out of the Academy. You're, you know, you've got your war! This 15 years, this is my first war! John, some day you'II understand.

We attack in one hour! We'II throw everything we got at 'em. We're going aII the way! Nothing's stoppin' us. It's high ground by nightfaII!

Everything a lie... Everything you hear, everything you see... So much to spew out... They just keep coming, one after another... You're in a box... A moving box... They want you dead, or in their lie. Only one thing a man can do - find something that's his, and make an island for himself. If I never meet you in this life, let me feel the lack; a glance from your eyes, and my life will be yours.

In this world, a man, himself, is nothing. And there ain't no world but this one.

We're living in a world that's blowing itself to hell as fast as everybody can arrange it. In a situation like that aII a man can do is shut his eyes and let nothing touch him. Look out for himself.

If I never meet you in this life, let me feel the lack. A glance from your eyes, and my life will be yours.

There's not some other world out there where everything's gonna be okay. There's just this one, just this rock.

This army's gonna kiII you. If you were smart, you'd take care of yourself. There's nothing you can do for anybody else. You're just running into a burning house where nobody can be saved.

I don't have that feeling yet. That numbness. Not Iike the rest of you guys. Maybe cause I knew what to expect. Maybe I was just frozen up already.

Captain, you say one more word to thank me, I'II knock you right in the teeth. You mention me in your fuckin' orders and I'II resign so fast and Ieave you here to run this busted-up outfit by yourself. You understand?

War don't ennoble men. It turns them into dogs... poisons the soul.

I remember my mother when she was dyin', looked all shrunk up and gray. I asked her if she was afraid. She just shook her head. I was afraid to touch the death I seen in her. I couldn't find nothin' beautiful or uplifting about her goin' back to God. I heard of people talk about immortality, but I ain't seen it.

I wondered how it'd be like when I died, what it'd be like to know this breath now was the last one you was ever gonna draw. I just hope I can meet it the same way she did, with the same... calm. 'Cause that's where it's hidden - the immortality I hadn't seen.

I seen another world. Sometimes I think it was just my imagination.

Everyone lookin' for salvation by himself. Each like a coal thrown from the fire.

Who are you to live in all these many forms? Your death that captures all. You, too, are the source of all that's gonna be born. Your glory. Mercy. Peace. Truth. You give calm a spirit, understanding, courage. The contented heart.

Maybe all men got one big soul everybody's a part of, all faces are the same man. One big self.

We were a family. How'd it break up and come apart, so that now we're turned against each other? Each standing in the other's light. How'd we lose that good that was given us? Let it slip away. Scattered it, careless. What's keepin' us from reaching out, touching the glory?

I never felt he hated me, cause I don't hate him.

I Iove Charlie Company. They're my people.