rhklwk-1 My wife and I first saw "The Hill" some thirty years ago, and ever since then, when one of us barks, "STAFF !!!," the other barks, "SUH !!!" Believe me. If you see this movie once, it will change your life. The IMDB reviews are now upwards of 20 years old, and what was true then, is true now: The film is an absolute MASTERPIECE. I am a serious movie buff about serious movies, and I have been trying to think of a movie whose direction is the equal of Sidney Lumet's direction here. I can think of one: "All About Eve" (directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, 1950). But that is the only one I can think of. The dialogue is delivered at a rate not seen or heard since the "screwball" comedies of the 1930s. One of the things that makes Lumet's direction a standout is the fact that there may be a half-dozen actors in the scene, all of them talking at the speed of light. Recommendation: English subtitles! I haven't read much commentary on Harry Andrews' performance as the Sergeant Major. After much reflection over many years, I conclude that his performance is more subtle and nuanced than any other. He is not a sadist, for example, despite his ferocity. From the beginning, he is cautioning moderation ("six times up the hill, no more"), and he continues to do so throughout the movie. (Listen carefully.) And he returns the letters to Stephens. (You will miss it unless you are watching carefully.) He seems genuinely shocked that Staff Williams has maltreated one of the prisoners. In his final scene, he leaves the prisoners' cell muttering to himself, "In my 25 years I have never . . . ." This is the key teaching moment: The British Army will never be the same. And Staff Williams is unmasked as the coward he really is, a not uncommon trait among insecure men who suddenly have a little power over other men. Connery, of course, knows that his cellmates have gone too far, and he very effectively and powerfully expresses his frustration and despair. But, we know it's temporary.I recognized Staff Harris' voice. But, where had I seen and heard him? Then it came to me. He played the elder Robert the Bruce in "Braveheart," thirty years later. Knowing that now, I would not object to a director's cut, where the elder Bruce addresses his son as "Staff!" Nor would I object to the obvious response!. This is one of the best movies ever made.

dfwesley I never saw this film in full until today and was mesmerized by it. Cruelty inflicted by prison guards is nothing new in the movies, but in military prisons it is an eye opener. Great acting all around particularly by Harry Andrews and Sean Connery. There must have been a lot of crime in the British army for there were enough prisoners in the camp to fill out a battalion.It has been commented that there were no profanity here. Not that I think it would have added anything, but having been around soldiers for some years, it was unrealistic. Orders were not given here but barked and shrieked to the face.Ossie Davis provided one the few lighter moments with his Tarzanic renditions, and Jack Weston's shoe heel must have been refrigerated to keep citrus slices. Perhaps I would have liked to have scene Sean Connery pitch into the final fight scene instead of observing it.l Highly enjoyable and most unusual to see a military film without battle scenes.

AaronCapenBanner Sidney Lumet directed this stark military drama set in a North African military prison, where five new prisoners arrive to face the harsh conditions imposed on them by the authorities(played with varying sympathy by Harry Andrews, Ian Bannen, & Ian Hendry) Sean Connery plays Trooper Joe Roberts,the leader of this group of prisoners, whose crimes run the range from theft to insubordination. All prisoners are forced to repeatedly climb an artificial hill in the middle of camp under the fierce desert sun, which of course will lead to some heatstroke and death. Joe does what can to retain his self-respect, and fight back against any abuse... Powerful film isn't that easy to sit through at times, and its quick editing style is certainly different, leading to an abrupt and bleak ending. Still, the performances are superb, and film memorable, if little-known.

cosmonadz Absolutely outstanding. Set during WW2 based in army prison camp in Libya it's the scene of a pure and almost perfect movie. From the acting the dialogue the filming editing characters and how the film glides along effortlessly it's a masterclass. Sean Connery is superb in this tale of ultimate male macho-ism and power struggling army stooges. There is a wonderful supporting cast who all hit the acting nail hard on the head. An ovation for Harry Andrews, Ian Bannen, Ian Hendry, Ossie Davis and many more who turn out performances not to be missed or forgotten. The movie deals with so much and does it in a way where you realise that such topics are still of interest today. I can't say too much with ruining it but the hill is truly a movie that has passed by without any accolade which it so rightly deserves. The brutal punishments dished out combined with the soaring heat and psychological pressures forced upon the soldiers and deserters adds to the tension of the whole movie. If you've missed this movie now is your chance for redemption. It's not often you'll get a chance to watch a classic the first time round without the hype ruining the movie. But here you won't be disappointed. Watch this movie now and be submersed in the heat and drama.