THE HILL is a war drama film about the torture in a British army prison in North Africa for soldiers who have been condemned to punishment by their own officers during Second World War. The brutality and sadism are not connected with the enemy, as well as discipline in military ranks. This is a kind of shameful punishment which slowly takes every last bit of humanity.Five soldiers, of various affiliations, were brought in a British Army military prison in the Libyan Desert. They are convicted of service offenses and subjected to repetitive drill in the blazing desert heat. However, new prisoners come into conflict with the camp authorities. One new NCO guard who has also just arrived employs excessive punishments which further enhances their mutual conflicts...Mr. Lumet has tried to introduce the audience in this film, through a special kind of torture. The highlight of the film comes together with a boiling point because, the torture takes one life. An ironic and somewhat irritating fight for bare life, which is salted with anything and everything comes after that. The structure of the story and direction are not different than most prison movies, but a realistic picture reinforces impressions. Characterization is not bad and is subordinate to the uncertainty and prison conditions.Sean Connery as Joe Roberts is a former Squadron Sergeant Major convicted of assaulting his commanding officer. His obstinate look and a strong sense of justice have contributed to his good performance. Harry Andrews as Regimental Sergeant Major Bert Wilson is a cruel warden and irritating loudmouth who slowly loses control of the camp. Ian Hendry as Staff Sergeant Williams a sinister sergeant, who has a very strange attitude to the causes and consequences of his actions. Ossie Davis as Jacko King is perhaps the strongest character in this film, however, his behavior goes beyond issues.This is certainly a realistic film, but with so much screaming and yelling is far from convincing.

The Hill (1965)Plot In A Paragraph: 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.The Hill, was a man made pyramid, 35 feet high, rising at a 60° angle, it was used as an instrument of torture. Prisoners were made to double up and down the hill, in the blazing sun, carry on to Phil and the park until they collapsed.Personally, I think this is the strongest Connery performance to date. Without a hair piece and sporting a moustache Connery is superb as a tough, rugged warrant officer, who had been court martialled for alleged cowardice under fire and hitting an officer. This isn't just Connery's movie though. It's a true ensemble piece. Filmed in black and white it is a very powerful movie about the abuse of authority and military justice. A few people have complained to me, that not a lot happens in The Hill, but I think they are missing the point of the movie, it's a character study. And a brilliant one at that.Of the rest of the cast Ossie Davis (Co Star in so many Burt Reynolds movies) and his one man mutiny in his underpants stands out, as does Harry Andrews and Ian Hendry. But it's an injustice to the other members of the cast to single some of For praise when they are all superb. The Hill won joint first prize at The Cannes Film Festival for best screenplay. Amazingly, despite strong reviews and Connery's star power The Hill sank without a trace at the Box Office.

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.

First of all, this film simply isn't for everyone (my friend once told me that he felt claustrophobic watching it, and so turned it off). For me, however, it grabs me somewhere where most other films simply don't. It penetrates me deeper and draws me in further than most other films could ever dream of.Other reviewers have touched on the plot, which is quite subtle compared to many films really, but I think the genius of this film lies in the very-much 3D characters, the intensity of the camera work, the razor sharp dialogue (which is often cruel, hateful and witty), but perhaps most of all, the acting. There are essentially 8 main characters and every single one of them plays his part flawlessly. Anyone of the main characters' acting would be worthy of a lead role in almost any film I can think of.Even the peripheral characters give a 3D feeling to their performances (the camp commandant, the medical officer, for instance).To help understand how good the characters, the acting and the cameras work together, consider how many films you can think of which don't have a musical score but still generate an atmosphere which grips you - The Hill's 'musical score' is the background shouting from other prisoners in the prison camp as well as the sheer air of intensity throughout the entire film.Additonal hats of to Lumet for really allowing the British regional dialects free rein throughout the entire cast, although many viewers, including Brits, will have to pay close attention to what is being said, especially when military phrases, acronyms and slang are thrown in.Watch it, it's up there with the best of them!