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The Hill

Play trailer Poster for The Hill 1965 2h 3m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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75% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Five British soldiers are sent to a detention camp in the Libyan Desert, including Sergeant Major Roberts (Sean Connery), whose conviction for the assault of an officer is shrouded in mystery. As punishment, the vicious Staff Sergeant Williams (Ian Hendry) orders the prisoners to continuously climb a man-made hill in the scorching desert heat. Though his colleague, Staff Sergeant Harris (Ian Bannen), sympathizes with the new detainees, he can only watch as Williams goes to sadistic extremes.
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The Hill

Critics Reviews

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Penelope Houston Sight & Sound Mar 31, 2020
By the end, it's frenzied shouting laced with TV studio debating points. Go to Full Review Adrian Turner Radio Times Jul 31, 2024
5/5
Class, race and the abuse of power all receive unsparing examination while ace cameraman Oswald Morris artfully evokes the claustrophobic, feverish atmosphere. Go to Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia Jul 21, 2020
6/10
The conflict, in that prison tinged with a military field that erases any trace of justice, is boring to me, but I instantly recognize aesthetic components that stand out, as well as authentic performances. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Apr 21, 2011
A-
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. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews May 28, 2009
A-
Uncompromising look at the inside of a British military prison in North Africa during WW II. Go to Full Review John J. Puccio Movie Metropolis Jun 1, 2007
7/10
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Hector I @Hector1184BC 5 days ago The Hill is a powerful and surprisingly excellent film. What impressed me most is how it shows people changing under pressure rather than simply dividing them into heroes and villains. The five prisoners react differently to the brutal military system: Roberts becomes a reluctant moral leader, Stevens is gradually destroyed by it, while the others reveal cowardice, rebellion or refusal to conform. The same evolution occurs among the officers, especially between the sadistic Williams, the rigid adjutant, and the more humane sergeant and doctor. The ending is particularly strong: just when Roberts seems to be winning through testimony and due process, the prisoners fall back into violence, potentially destroying the justice they were achieving. The black-and-white cinematography is beautiful, suits Sean Connery perfectly, and makes the hill a striking symbol of military absurdity and human suffering. Some compositions even reminded me of Hopper. A great discovery. See more Chris P @ChrissPee Aug 3, 2026 The Hill is a must see for lovers of well acted and scripted movies. From the outset the camera invokes the heat, dust and claustrophobic atmosphere of a military prison. Performances from the entire cast is superb especially Harry Andrews, for whom the role might have been written. Sean Connery for whom this was a star outing does not outshine the other actors, but compliments them brilliantly. Overall the Hill remains a great film for fans of war films and high tension. See more j f @LiberteBurrows Aug 28, 2024 Standard crown clap-trap. See more Chuck V @Rutland15 Mar 28, 2023 Excellent direction from Sidney Lumet might be his best film, the acting was as good as it gets, especially Harry Andrews, might be my favorite film about the military, I'm a veteran and this movie gave me chills, why wasn't this film Oscar nominated? See more Shioka O @RT54204327 Oct 2, 2022 Kinda feel lengthy, because nothing really happen. but acting direction is great as by Sidney Lumet, there are several intense footages. The ending is uncomfortable and grasping. See more Jul 1, 2022 Great story-telling, acting, symbolism, cinematography. One of the best movie's I've ever seen. See more Read all reviews
The Hill

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Cast & Crew

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Sidney Lumet

Director

Sean Connery

Joe Roberts

Harry Andrews

R.S.M. Wilson

Ian Bannen

Harris

Alfred Lynch

George Stevens

Ossie Davis

Jacko King

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The Hill

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Movie Info

Synopsis Five British soldiers are sent to a detention camp in the Libyan Desert, including Sergeant Major Roberts (Sean Connery), whose conviction for the assault of an officer is shrouded in mystery. As punishment, the vicious Staff Sergeant Williams (Ian Hendry) orders the prisoners to continuously climb a man-made hill in the scorching desert heat. Though his colleague, Staff Sergeant Harris (Ian Bannen), sympathizes with the new detainees, he can only watch as Williams goes to sadistic extremes.
Director
Sidney Lumet
Producer
Kenneth Hyman
Screenwriter
Ray Rigby
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2009
Runtime
2h 3m
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