my dad used to watch this movie weekly. i think he brainwashed me into loving it. the mental torture of going up the hill weekly truly got to me.
what's your favourite scene? i love jacko doing his monkey dance, and tubby with his secret shoe stash and the final poignant last words NO DONT TOUCH HIM!! YOU'LL F IT UP!
My favourite line has to be the CSM's barked response to the question shouted from the cells as to who the mutineers leaders are...
EVERY THIRD MAN!
The volte-face from the humourous CSM to the brutal miltary disciplinarian is just jaw-dropping.
A brilliant film moment.
Every fifth man, actually. But I agree, that was a fantastic scene. Talk about command presence!
shareBrutal discipline is no substitute for leadership.
I'll bet most of those prisoners would have followed Rommel rather than their own mob bosses.
You're right about it being every 5th man, I think. And also on the "command presence" bit. It's electrifying in it's delivery. A lot of it is down to the body language he exhibits prior to delievering the line, as he judges the mood of the "mutineers", the banter with Ian Bannens character, perhaps a little unwelcome, and the way he nods his head briskly as if confirming in his own mind that he's regaining control of the situation.
Quite simply the very best acting Ive ever seen.
I always thought the banter between Harris and Wilson was actually entirely unwelcomed by Wilson. As though Harris was having a go at Wilson in front of the prisoners and Wilson went along with it to keep control. I swear at the beginning of the banter Wilson gives a royally pissed look at Harris. That's why afterwards Wilson rams the "passed-over" message down Harris' throat. Am I reading that wrong?
shareI watched it last night in UK on TCM2 (for the 5th time) the best scene is right at the end when Harris screams "You're not running this place WILLIAMS IS!!! He took over weeks ago" The way Ian Bannen delivers this line is breathtaking.
How this guy didn't become as big as Connery, a great actor himself, is beyond me.
And watching Connery and Bannen act together in "The Offence" is great too, seeing as Bannen is playing a much different role, a vile peadophile, this time round and their relationship is such a contrast to the sympathetic relationship they have in The Hill.
I love it when he also bark out the command "Staff, let them out! And then he repeats the command again "I said, LET THEM OUT!". The RSM really knew the psychological minds of the prisoners in that he knew that they would not beat up the guards although they really could have if they wanted to.
I also like it when arguing with Sean Connery, he saw the prisoners not exercising, and then in a loud voice he shouted "KEEP THOSE MEN ON THE MOVE" and the whole prison compound heard his voice.
The opening shot is pretty impressive. The camera starts side-on to the hill, then it pulls back past a tree and over the fence. There's no sign of panning tracks. I'd like to know how that was done.
shareMy favorite scene is probably the confrontation between Roberts and Wilson, in the yard outside the MO's office. We find out why Roberts snapped, and learn more of the motivation of both characters. Two great actors going at it. One of the best scenes Connery ever filmed, IMHO.
"Roberts - you'll be lost! LOST!! Unless somebody's shoutin' an order atchya!"
The climactic scene in Roberts' cell, with Wilson, Harris, Williams and the MO, is also outstanding. Why this film isn't better known and more highly acclaimed is a mystery to me.
I'm in charge here - ME! I say what goes and what don't go!