The Thin Red Line is a 1998 American war film written and directed by Terrence Malick. The film is an adaptation of James Jones' autobiographical 1962 novel, focusing on the conflict at Guadalcanal during World War II. The soundtrack was composed by multiple Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer, with additional music by John Powell. Zimmer was inspired to make use of Asian instruments for this score, including the Shakuhachi and the Koto.