The Hill (1965)

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

  (Complete credited 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

Also Known As:

Ein Haufen toller Hunde (Austria) (West Germany) [de]
Hügel der verlorenen Männer (Austria) (West Germany) [de]
A Colina (Portugal) [pt]
A Colina dos Homens Perdidos (Brazil) [pt]
Colina (Romania) [ro]
Højen (Denmark) [da]
Kukkula (Finland) [fi]
Kullen (Sweden) [sv]
La colina (Venezuela) [es]
La collina del disonore (Italy) [it]
La colline des hommes perdus (France) [fr]
O lofos (Greece) [el]
Wzgórze (Poland) [pl]

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 Robert Kahn's book, The Ultimate Insider's Guide to Cinema's Hidden Gems, and in the 3 August 2001 New York Times article, "Watching Movies With: Woody Allen," Allen said he regarded Sidney Lumet's "The Hill," along with "Treasure of the Sierra Madre," "White Heat," "The Informer," "Double Indemnity," and "Shane," as being among the best American movies.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Ossie Davis strips to his shorts, the style of shorts changes from the time he leaves the cell block to the time he gets to the commandant's office.

Quotes:

[Jacko has defiantly ripped off his uniform]
Sergeant Charlie Harris: You're going into the Commandant's office dressed like this, lad?
Jacko King: Unless you've got a top-hat, and a bone to put through me nose. That's the way you white folks think we done dress at home.

Movie Connections:

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

"I am going to report this entire incident!"

It isn't often Sean Connery makes a film which becomes more memorable than his efforts to make it. Such is the way with a few he decided not mention in his filmography, such as "Safu." You must see it to realize that despite Connery, the film must have a true message. Such is the case with "The Hill." This film does have a message and it is harsh, brutal and to the point. The setting is a British military prison located in the desert and stocked with ex-soldiers who've been court martialed and now must be repatriated by backbreaking discipline, and grim punishment. With inmates coming and going at the prison, it is not too difficult to imagine a new lot which includes Joe Roberts (Sean Connery) a broken Sgt. Major. Pvt. Jacko King (Ossie Davis, who is superb in this role) Pvt. Alfred Lynch, (George Stevens) Pvt. Monty Bartlett (Roy Kinnear) and Pvt. Jock McGrath (Jack Watson). These men and others are new inmates and are pitted against the ruling officers who, will receive as much as they give. This includes the governing Non-commission staff like, Royal Sgt. Major Bert Wilson (Harry Andrews, superb acting) and Sgt. Harris (Ian Bannen) who despite their station are set to collide with each other as well as with the prisoners. Upon entering the prison, the audience is allowed to see how the men will be affected as they are introduced to the punishing ordeal of . . . The Hill. ****