ChanBot i must have seen a different film!!

Beanbioca As Good As It Gets

Gutsycurene Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

Ella-May O'Brien Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

rhklwk-1 My wife and I first saw "The Hill" some thirty years ago, and ever since then, when one of us barks, "STAFF !!!," the other barks, "SUH !!!" Believe me. If you see this movie once, it will change your life. The IMDB reviews are now upwards of 20 years old, and what was true then, is true now: The film is an absolute MASTERPIECE. I am a serious movie buff about serious movies, and I have been trying to think of a movie whose direction is the equal of Sidney Lumet's direction here. I can think of one: "All About Eve" (directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, 1950). But that is the only one I can think of. The dialogue is delivered at a rate not seen or heard since the "screwball" comedies of the 1930s. One of the things that makes Lumet's direction a standout is the fact that there may be a half-dozen actors in the scene, all of them talking at the speed of light. Recommendation: English subtitles! I haven't read much commentary on Harry Andrews' performance as the Sergeant Major. After much reflection over many years, I conclude that his performance is more subtle and nuanced than any other. He is not a sadist, for example, despite his ferocity. From the beginning, he is cautioning moderation ("six times up the hill, no more"), and he continues to do so throughout the movie. (Listen carefully.) And he returns the letters to Stephens. (You will miss it unless you are watching carefully.) He seems genuinely shocked that Staff Williams has maltreated one of the prisoners. In his final scene, he leaves the prisoners' cell muttering to himself, "In my 25 years I have never . . . ." This is the key teaching moment: The British Army will never be the same. And Staff Williams is unmasked as the coward he really is, a not uncommon trait among insecure men who suddenly have a little power over other men. Connery, of course, knows that his cellmates have gone too far, and he very effectively and powerfully expresses his frustration and despair. But, we know it's temporary.I recognized Staff Harris' voice. But, where had I seen and heard him? Then it came to me. He played the elder Robert the Bruce in "Braveheart," thirty years later. Knowing that now, I would not object to a director's cut, where the elder Bruce addresses his son as "Staff!" Nor would I object to the obvious response!. This is one of the best movies ever made.

elvircorhodzic THE HILL is a war drama film about the torture in a British army prison in North Africa for soldiers who have been condemned to punishment by their own officers during Second World War. The brutality and sadism are not connected with the enemy, as well as discipline in military ranks. This is a kind of shameful punishment which slowly takes every last bit of humanity.Five soldiers, of various affiliations, were brought in a British Army military prison in the Libyan Desert. They are convicted of service offenses and subjected to repetitive drill in the blazing desert heat. However, new prisoners come into conflict with the camp authorities. One new NCO guard who has also just arrived employs excessive punishments which further enhances their mutual conflicts...Mr. Lumet has tried to introduce the audience in this film, through a special kind of torture. The highlight of the film comes together with a boiling point because, the torture takes one life. An ironic and somewhat irritating fight for bare life, which is salted with anything and everything comes after that. The structure of the story and direction are not different than most prison movies, but a realistic picture reinforces impressions. Characterization is not bad and is subordinate to the uncertainty and prison conditions.Sean Connery as Joe Roberts is a former Squadron Sergeant Major convicted of assaulting his commanding officer. His obstinate look and a strong sense of justice have contributed to his good performance. Harry Andrews as Regimental Sergeant Major Bert Wilson is a cruel warden and irritating loudmouth who slowly loses control of the camp. Ian Hendry as Staff Sergeant Williams a sinister sergeant, who has a very strange attitude to the causes and consequences of his actions. Ossie Davis as Jacko King is perhaps the strongest character in this film, however, his behavior goes beyond issues.This is certainly a realistic film, but with so much screaming and yelling is far from convincing.

MartinHafer While "The Hill" is not among Sean Connery's most famous films, it certainly is among his best. However, it's a film that requires patience, as it starts off very slowly and builds to a very strong finale. Director Sidney Lumet did a great job with this picture.The film is set in a British prison camp in North Africa. However, it's NOT for Axis soldiers but for Brits...soldiers who have been convicted of various infractions such as theft, insubordination or, as in the case of Sgt. Major Roberts (Connery), striking his superior officer. The film is called 'The Hill' because a major part of the punishment consists of having the prisoners march up and down a sand hill with packs.In this prison is a new corrections officer, Williams (Ian Hendry). Williams is a sadist and treats the prisoners far worse than others and eventually his mistreatment results in the death of one of his charges. However, his superior, Sgt. Major Wilson (Harry Andrews) will do nothing about this, as his overriding concern is that if one of his men is charged with a crime, it will reflect badly on him. So repeatedly, Wilson looks the other way. The only people that might stand up to this appear too weak to act...though by the end of the film everything's come to a head.It's not at all surprising that Sidney Lumet also directed "12 Angry Men" as many of the same themes run through this film. And, the tension builds much like this great film and culminates with a tense and rousing finale. This really is a fine film and like "12 Angry Men" has a heck of a lot to say about human nature and authority...as well as those brave enough to stand up for what is right.By the way, if you are a super politically correct person, don't watch the film. Racist language is used....and I think this makes the film stronger--especially in how they deal with this racism.

Spikeopath Hot and sweaty, bold and brutal, Sidney Lumet's The Hill is a tour de force of incarceration based cinema. Story has five new inmates sent to a North African based British Army Prison, the centre piece of which is a manufactured hill that is used as a punishment tool. The new recruits, headed by Joe Roberts (Sean Connery), quickly fall foul of the superiors, especially the venomous Staff Sergeant Williams (Ian Hendry), but these boys wont take it lying down...With no music and Oswald Morris' monochrome photography ensuring atmosphere is perpetually claustrophobic, the harsh edges of the story strike hard. Be it overt bullying by those in charge - pushing men evidently too far - or racism, Lumet melds everything together superbly for harsh viewing experience, tightening the screws every quarter of film. Come the shattering conclusion it's a merciful release for the viewers, a chance to start breathing properly again, even if your mind is ablaze with a number of thoughts.This is very much an actors picture, which seems a given since it's adapted by Ray Rigby from his own play, but a mightily strong cast do sterling work with the tinderbox screenplay. Ossie Davis, Harry Andrews, Ian Bannen, Roy Kinnear, Alfred Lynch and Michael Redgrave fill out the other key roles, each giving their characters vivid depth without resorting to histrionics and scenery chewing. Which of course is a testament to Lumet's skills as a director of actors.Slow burning intensity bristles with the corrosive nature of machismo fuelled authority, an unforgettable film and highly recommended to those who have not sampled it yet. 9/10