The Hill (1965)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Sidney Lumet

Writers:

Ray Rigby (screenplay)
Ray Rigby (play) ...

Release Date:

22 June 1965 (Denmark)

Genre:

Drama | War

Tagline:

They went up like men! They came down like animals!

Plot:

In a North African military prison during World War II, five new prisoners struggle to survive in the face of brutal punishment and sadistic guards.

Plot Keywords:

Sergeant | Prison | Military | Punishment | Exhaustion

Awards:

Won BAFTA Film Award. Another 3 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Sean Connery	...	Joe Roberts
Harry Andrews	...	R.S.M. Wilson
Ian Bannen	...	Harris
Alfred Lynch	...	George Stevens
Ossie Davis	...	Jacko King
Roy Kinnear	...	Monty Bartlett
Jack Watson	...	Jock McGrath
Ian Hendry	...	Staff Sergeant Williams
Michael Redgrave	...	The Medical Officer (as Sir Michael Redgrave)
Norman Bird	...	Commandant
Neil McCarthy	...	Burton
Howard Goorney	...	Walters
Tony Caunter	...	Martin

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Canada:PG (video rating) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | UK:X (original rating) | USA:Approved (certificate #20843) | USA:TV-14 (TV rating)

Filming Locations:

Almería, Andalucía, Spain

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

In Sidney Lumet's autobiography "Making Movies", the director recalled suffering through the horrendous heat of the location and asking Sean Connery if he was urinating at all, to which Connery's reply was "Only in the morning".

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: As Wilson confronts Roberts and King (at about the 90-minute mark), a camera shadow passes over a guard's back.

Quotes:

[Sgt. Wilson has tampered with a prisoner's death certificate]
Regimental Sergeant Major Bert Wilson: Accidental death. But if there's another accidental death and you're in any way connected to it, staff...
[turns Williams' shot glass upside down]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Making 'Murder on the Orient Express' (2004) (V)

Maybe Connery's Best

Gritty emotional story of men being subjected to ill treatment at a British Army disciplinary camp in the desert. Human drama is of interest to anyone who has been a cog in a corporate machine, not just a veteran. Symbolic of human defiance in the face of rigid rules and inconsiderate authority.

Excellent cast takes every opportunity of limited time frame to give their characters amazing depth. Every character is fully realized and recognizable by anyone who has a few tough life experiences.

Naturally as good as the other actors are, the focus will always be on Connery's screen presence. Here he seems to be portraying his true personality, his face never suited Bond as much. Tough, self respecting and self disciplined sergeant who resolves not to lose his dignity in the face of harsh cruelty. This is an amazing performance, and it's too bad we don't use men like this as role models in modern American society.

As good as the performances are, the best thing about this film is the photography---check out the 360 degree camera movement during the opening sequence. It's a masterpiece which is rare to see even today.