The Hill (film)
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The Hill is a 1965 film set in a British army prison in North Africa in World War II. It stars Sean Connery, Harry Andrews, Ian Bannen, Ossie Davis and Michael Redgrave.
Plot
In a British Army detention camp in the Libyan desert, prisoners are persecuted by one of the NCOs, whose punishments include forcing them to repeatedly climb an artificial hill in the centre of the camp. The arrival of five new prisoners brings them onto a collision course with the camp authorities. When one of the prisoners dies, a power struggle erupts between the camp's Medical Officer, the Regimental Sergeant Major, and two Staff Sergeants, as they attempt to shift blame among themselves.Roberts (Connery) is a former Sergeant Major from an armoured regiment, convicted of assaulting one of his officers. His reasons for the assault are revealed in dialogue midway through the movie, and Connery's natural charisma combined with his explanation make him the sympathetic character of the piece.
The RSM, whom one would expect to be the villain of the piece, is played expertly by Andrews, who gives him a certain likeable charm even when making the wrong decisions. He is a career soldier who sees his task as breaking down failed men, then building them back up again, in his words, "into men!"
Staff Sergeant Williams is new to the prison, and his ambition is matched only by his cruel treatment of the prisoners; he seeks to use their suffering as means for promotion. "And what are you supposed to be," Roberts asks him when he is accused of cowardice in battle, "a brave man in a permanent base job?" The RSM seems to agree, in another scene he slyly mentions the fact that the Germans were bombing the UK (including the civilian prison Williams worked at) just as Williams was volunteering for prison duty in Africa.
Staff Sergeant Harris is the conscience of the prison who sympathizes with the men - too closely, according to the RSM. The officers of the piece, both the CO and the Medical Officer, take their duties casually and, as Roberts points out, "everyone is doing time here, even the screws (prison staff)."
Awards
BAFTA Awards
- Winner Best British Cinematography
- Nominee Best Film
- Nominee Best British Film
- Nominee Best British Actor (Harry Andrews)
- Nominee Best British Screenplay
- Nominee Best British Art Direction
Cannes Film Festival
- Winner Best Screenplay
National Board of Review
- Winner Best Supporting Actor (Harry Andrews)
Writers Guild of Great Britain
- Winner Best British Dramatic Screenplay Award
Quotes
"He took over days ago, you just haven't noticed yet!" - Staff Sergeant Harris
"Don't talk back, you different coloured bastard!" - Staff Sergeant Williams
"Fancy I saw snow on the top of it." - former Sergeant Major Roberts, talking about "The Hill".
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