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.

It's a British Army prison in WWII North Africa. Insubordinate British soldiers are sent there to be drilled ruthlessly. One of the tasks is to run up and down a man made hill. Joe Roberts (Sean Connery) is one of five new prisoners. He had punched his commanding officer for ordering a suicidal attack.There are some great performances. The most powerful coming from Harry Andrews. Everybody is delivering top level stuff. It's a contained movie in that it's contained by the base. In that way, it's more like a play. Sidney Lumet allows his actors to chew up the screen. It's great.

Certainly the best film that I've ever seen. Have watched it a few times and never get tired of it. Superb performances from all with Sean Connery the busted NCO, Harry Andrews - a throw back to greater army times, Ian Bannen - the good guy, Ian Hendry as the sadistic RSM and Roy Kinnear as the wimp are simply brilliant. Stark effect amplified by cracking black and white cinematography. They don't make films like this anymore, sadly.

Having scanned through a few reviews,i can only agree 100% with them. This work is often praised because of Connery, but that is not the true picture. The real star of this low budget film, is the script, and the actors relish in their performances. A magnificent piece of work, and clear evidence of just how important the direction and screenplay are in cinema.