The Hill (1965)

100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
89% of users liked it
(3,517 ratings)

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 these cretinous comments, it must be noted that The Hill is an above-the-norm entry in the "military… More 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 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 3 min.
Directed By: Sidney Lumet
Written By: Ray Rigby, R. S. Allen
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Oct 3, 1965 Wide
On DVD: Jun 5, 2007

Critic Reviews

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.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Uncompromising look at the inside of a British military prison in North Africa during WW II.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Even though WB's World War II Collection contains several excellent films, The Hill is so good and so powerful, you might want to consider it on its own.
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.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Pierluigi P

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 human… More
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 human 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.
Michael G

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… More
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 impressively 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.
Stella D

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… More
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 coming from lumet, really powerful and sadly mostly forgotten
Tim S

One of the most intense movies I have ever seen.
xGary X

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.
David S

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… More
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 also 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.
cody f

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!!
Grifty G

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!

Read all 8 featured audience ratings

Cast

Sean Connery
as Joe Roberts
Harry Andrews
as Sgt. Major Wilson
Ian Bannen
as Sgt. Charlie Harris

Alfred Lynch
as George Stevens
Ossie Davis
as Jacko King
Roy Kinnear
as Monty Bartlett

See full cast