The film offers a striking and visually impressive portrayal of the brutality of jungle combat. Jim Caviezel portrays "Witt," who is taken into custody while away on unauthorized leave by his Sergeant "Welsh" (Sean Penn) and held aboard a transport ship awaiting a military trial. Standard legal procedures are quickly disregarded when their unit receives orders to seize a key hilltop from a well-defended Japanese army in Guadalcanal. This movie stands apart; despite the considerable action, explosions, gunfire (and casualties), it provides a more thoughtful examination of war's effects. The feeling of confinement—even outdoors—experienced by individuals who lacked rest or security for weeks is shown alongside their fatigue, exhaustion, commitment, courage, and moments of apprehension. Even successful outcomes are portrayed with sadness and realism; the enemy soldiers are given a degree of humanity that enhances the impact of this thought-provoking narrative. Penn delivers a solid performance, as does the demanding "Col. Tail" (Nick Nolte), and a talented group of actors—both well-known and lesser-known—maintain the film’s quality for nearly three hours. I was particularly impressed by how naturally inhospitable the locations were to human life, yet we were fighting over them – amidst palm trees and vibrant birds!

Source on TMDB