MovieChat Forums > The Hill (1965) Discussion > Frigging great.

Frigging great.

posted 18 years ago by raimund-berger
4 replies | jump to latest

Superb acting from all of them, but especially Harry Andrews. During the last sequence in the cell, the one facial expression where you literally see his world falling apart and from when on he starts rather talking to himself than to others had been worth an award. Ian Hendry should be given due credit either. He delivers his character perfectly. Stunning performance.

Also liked the fact that there's apparently no music at all, so actors and camera could carry the whole thing alone as well as i focus on them. Sound work impressed me either.

Would be great to have some more details on this production, but apparently there's little on the web. A real gem anyway.

[–] argentobuff 18 years ago

I agree on the Hill being great also.The lack of music gives it an almost surreal ambience.

I caught it on IFC a few years ago and had not seen it since.Then a few months ago it was on TCMs.

Great cast,strong narrative,and the ironic ending make this one of Seans best.

Not to mention Ossie Davis,Harry Andrews,Afred Lynch,Ian Bennan,and Michael Redgrave.

Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead

[–] kholmes1965 18 years ago

I first watched this movie back in the 80's, when I was in the military, myself. It was late at night and I had nothing to do but flip through the channels; I think it was Cinemax which was showing this movie that night. I just happened to catch it at the beginning where it showed the title and the actors... when I saw Connery, I was instantly transfixed and ready for anything.

I was not disappointed! This movie is one of a kind... it follows the first 24 hours (or so) of a group of new prison inmates and their sadistic new prison guard/monitor, creating the characters and their weaknesses as well as their strengths in a way most movies don't deliver these days. I've recommended this movie to SO many people since then, and have purchased my own copy to enjoy periodically.

[–] ranmel 18 years ago

I totally agree. This is Harry Andrews best film by far.

I also loved the absence of music. Too many movies over-use music to set a mood.

Check out "Breaker Morant" and "Le Circ Rouge". Two other films without music in them.

[–] VanBurenPhilips 18 years ago

Lol, I've watched those two films several times and was never conscious of the lack of music. Anyway, they're both high up on my list of favourites (as is The Hill), and so I second the recommendations. I'm sure Breaker Morant in particular will be of interest to fans of The Hill.

There's another film by Jean-Pierre Melville called L'Armee Des Ombres, about the French Resistance, which might be of interest to readers here. It's right up there with Le Cercle Rouge IMO.