In World War II, the outcome of the battle of Guadalcanal will strongly influence the Japanese's advance into the Pacific. Based on James Jones' novel, this is the story of Charlie Company's landing and battle experience there in 1942. The story concentrates on how the battle affects, and is effected by, Commanding officer Lt. Col. Gordon Tall, Captain James Staros, Sgt. Edward Welsh, and two privates, Witt and Bell. Charlie Company is attacking a seemingly impregnable position, and the terror and chaos of war are well illustrated, as scared men stare death in the face--a death that waits concealed in the beauty of a grassy hill. There are great deeds, and valor, but these men don't feel like heroes--they're simply doing what's necessary to survive. In typical Malick fashion, the film boasts exquisite nature photography, and a soundtrack layered with sounds of the rain forest, essential ingredients of this beautiful tone poem on the banality of combat and the troubled relationship between man and nature.