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Sean Connery, Harry Andrews, Ian Bannen, Alfred Lynch, Ossie Davis ... see more see more... , Roy Kinnear , Michael Redgrave , Jack Watson , Ian Hendry , Norman Bird , Howard Goorney , Neil McCallum , Neil McCarthy , Tony Caunter

The Hill was unfairly subjected to ridicule by the more obtuse "critics" of 1965 who harped on the fact that it starred Sean Connery and, unlike Connery's Bond pictures, had no women in it. Bypassing ... read more read more...these cretinous comments, it must be noted that The Hill is an above-the-norm entry in the "military prison" genre. The film takes place during World War II, in a Libyan stockade for incorrigible British soldiers. The camp's brutal Sergeant Major (Harry Andrews) puts his charges to work on grueling, monotonous and pointless projects to break their spirits. When one rebellious inmate dies due to this treatment, the Sergeant Major is reprimanded by Joe Roberts (Connery), who has been appointed as the prisoners' spokesman. The result is that Roberts is likewise subjected to the most demeaning and humiliating of prison chores -- but his spirit, and that of his comrades, is not so easily crushed. Based on a TV play by Ray Rigby, The Hill should never be seen in any form other than its dusty, parched original black-and-white; the currently available colorized version is a crime against humanity. One problem: The British dialects in the first 20 minutes are so thick that an American viewer practically needs subtitles (British critics chalked this problem up not to elocution but to poor sound recording). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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89% liked it

3,559 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

5 critics

Unrated, 2 hr. 3 min.

Directed by: Sidney Lumet

Release Date: October 3, 1965

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DVD Release Date: June 5, 2007

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Flixster Reviews (207)

  • pier007
    October 25, 2011
    pier007
    A good film is like a kick in the ass, or a ferocious slap that wakes us up, makes us realize about something, or reminds us about something we thought we had forgotten.
    This brilliant antimilitary films shows in crescendo harsh and intolerable conditions that would force any hum... read morean being to abandon reason and to embrace the animal inside, to stop submiting to dictates of a nation, a regiment, or an insensible fool at charge. Sean Connery embodies all that rage in every single look and word he speaks. Sidney Lumet knows exactly where to put the camera, how to move it, and when to cut. Films like this, 'Fail-safe' and 'The Pawnbroker' all have that same clear delineation, razor-sharp intensity in their mise en scene, and all end up in an absolute disgrace that have left me mute, wild-eyed, about to become like Charlton Heston at the end of 'Planet of the apes' screaming at the top of my lungs for the evil that men do, an inarticulate prayer with no receiver.
  • mjgildea
    September 26, 2009
    mjgildea
    Like all of Sidney Lumet's early work, The Hill is a spectacular exercise in escalated tension and groundbreaking direction. Sean Connery (in his best non-007 performance) is as much of a smart-ass as he is a bad-ass but Ossie Davis steals the show. The Hill starts off impressive... read morely then dries out toward the middle. But once the final act kicks in, look out. I was reminded a lot of Cool Hand Luke and Paths of Glory while watching The Hill. It's a shame that Connery's best performance (I've seen so far) went as unnoticed as this movie did.
  • rubystevens
    May 22, 2009
    rubystevens
    damn good prison film; brutally portrays the methods used by the military to break the individual spirit almost as well as kubrick's full metal jacket would 20 years later. harry andrews is outstanding as the commandant. hilarious turn by ossie davis too. a very british film c... read moreoming from lumet, really powerful and sadly mostly forgotten
  • tsigur
    December 7, 2007
    tsigur
    One of the most intense movies I have ever seen.
  • garyX
    July 22, 2007
    garyX
    Powerfully performed prison film set in a military camp during WWII. Sean Connery's star presence makes it worth a look, but otherwise a little forgettable.
  • sayers1977
    May 12, 2008
    sayers1977
    I have to give this film 5 stars. It's one of the best films I've ever seen and I keep coming back to it again and again. Sean Connery should have got an Oscar for this performance. He has never been better as busted down Sgt Major Roberts. However, everyone else in this film als... read moreo delivers never bettered performances. I count this as Lumet's best film and he's made a load of classics in his time. You can feel the heat coming off the screen. There's so much tension and not one iota of a film score in there to help heighten tension. It's all done by acting and great direction. Sadly this film is mostly forgotten and only available on dvd in America but I would urge you to track it down.
  • codyfranklin2
    November 27, 2007
    codyfranklin2
    Amazing! One of Lumet's best. The whole cast is fantastic. Very original and don't understand why this movie isn't talked about more often. RENT IT NOW!!
  • jackamaku
    November 17, 2007
    jackamaku
    This is a fantastic film, up there with Lumet greats. I guess this should be considered a "lost" Lumet film since no one talks about it. Great photography, direction, and acting. See this movie!
  • MovieGuruDude72
    October 14, 2009
    MovieGuruDude72
    Back before Connery did 007 and back when he still spoke with one hell of a Scottish accent. Wait, he still does that hahahahaah!
  • undeadfeature
    August 4, 2009
    undeadfeature
    A fantastically crafted piece of film. I've always been a fan of Sidney Lumet and his directing style. The story is slow but it sort of needs to be. Any change in pacing would detract from the heavy messages and material throughout. Characters are spot on and believable. Extra at... read moretention should be paid to Sean Connery in what should be his career defining role. Also, additional praise to whoever shot and cut this beast. What a marvel of cinematography this is. It practically makes the rest of the film's short commings seem nonexistant. Highly recomended to the hungry cinephile.

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Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
April 21, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Starkly realistic, uncompromising, and splendidly acted by an all-star cast, headed by Sean Connery, Sideny Lumet's 1985 film is a most powerful prison drama. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
May 28, 2009
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Uncompromising look at the inside of a British military prison in North Africa during WW II. Full Review

John J. Puccio
June 1, 2007
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

The Hill is tense, it's exciting, it's suspenseful, it's everything a good action picture should be, plus it adds a healthy dose of realism and thought. Full Review

September 19, 2008
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Bosley Crowther
May 20, 2003
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Carol Cling
September 5, 2003
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

Jules Brenner
July 23, 2003
Jules Brenner, Cinema Signals

No review available.

Derek Adams
June 24, 2006
Derek Adams, Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

May 24, 2003
Film4

Click to read the article Full Review

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