IMDb > The Hill (1965)
The Hill
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The Hill (1965) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   3,930 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Ray Rigby (screenplay)
Ray Rigby (play) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Hill on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
22 June 1965 (Denmark) more
Genre:
Tagline:
They went up like men! They came down like animals!
Plot:
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. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Won BAFTA Film Award. Another 3 wins & 6 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
TCM Alert! Sean Connery In "The Hill" Tonight
 (From CinemaRetro. 22 May 2009, 1:18 PM, PDT)

Actor Ossie Davis Dies at 87
 (From IMDb News. 4 February 2005)

User Comments:
AN UNKNOWN CLASSIC more (66 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Sean Connery ... Joe Roberts
Harry Andrews ... R.S.M. Wilson
Ian Bannen ... Harris
Alfred Lynch ... George Stevens

Ossie Davis ... Jacko King
Roy Kinnear ... Monty Bartlett
Jack Watson ... Jock McGrath
Ian Hendry ... Staff Sergeant Williams
Michael Redgrave ... The Medical Officer (as Sir Michael Redgrave)
Norman Bird ... Commandant
Neil McCarthy ... Burton
Howard Goorney ... Walters
Tony Caunter ... Martin
more
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Additional Details

Runtime:
123 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
Canada:PG (video rating) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | UK:X (original rating) | USA:Approved (certificate #20843) | USA:TV-14 (TV rating)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In Robert Kahn's book, The Ultimate Insider's Guide to Cinema's Hidden Gems, and in the 3 August 2001 New York Times article, "Watching Movies With: Woody Allen," Allen said he regarded Sidney Lumet's "The Hill," along with "Treasure of the Sierra Madre," "White Heat," "The Informer," "Double Indemnity," and "Shane," as being among the best American movies. more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: As Wilson confronts Roberts and King (at about the 90-minute mark), a camera shadow passes over a guard's back. more
Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Making 'Murder on the Orient Express' (2004) (V) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
59 out of 71 people found the following comment useful.
AN UNKNOWN CLASSIC, 8 December 2001
10/10
Author: Darryl Cox (DD-931) from Norman, Oklahoma

I can't think of a film less appreciated than this one. The tragedy of THE HILL began with its horribly botched release in 1965 - a textbook example of studio stupidity. On the other side of the equation, film purists who were worshipping at the alter of goofs like Godard's "Alphaville" turned up their noses at this movie because it starred the "lightweight" commercial actor Sean Connery. Jesus wept.

It is absolutely amazing that this movie is so uncompromisingly British while being directed by the so-called "New York" director Sidney Lumet. The man's a genius. And less you wonder, I lived for three years in England (1966-69) and am a World War II buff, so I have reason to testify to its authenticity. And for Sean Connery, at the height of his popularity (He was the Number One box office draw the year this movie came out), to play the character of SGT. Joe Roberts, sans toupee, and without the typical "movie star out" for his character - see the movie and compare it to THE LAST CASTLE, and you'll know what I mean - is nothing short of stunning.

Can you tell I love this movie? There's not a false moment in it. And the acting! Besides Connery, there are great performances by Harry Andrews, Ian Bannen, Ian Hendry, Ossie Davis...and oh yeah, every other person in the cast. Is it hard to understand the accents sometimes? Sure. But it's nothing that can't be overcome by simply paying attention when you watch this film.

And what does this movie say about the military mindset, the lust for power, racism, the duality of heroism and cowardice, the dangers of unquestioning loyalty, and more? A whole helluva lot more than 99% of the other movies - and theatrical plays - that you'll ever see.

I'll just finish by saying you are missing so much if you don't see this movie. You'll come out of it seeing things a little differently than you ever did before. And that's all you can possibly ask from a movie.

Come on, people. Let's get in the votes on THE HILL to get it into the IMDB Top 250 movie list. My vote: a 10.

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Should there be a remake? Sonatine97
That one turns on the gas Diesel59
'Remember the Wind' William_Britton
One Helluva film Hollycon1
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Film connections katharine_tornow
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