In a North African military prison during World War II, five new prisoners struggle to survive in the face of brutal punishment and sadistic guards.In a North African military prison during World War II, five new prisoners struggle to survive in the face of brutal punishment and sadistic guards.In a North African military prison during World War II, five new prisoners struggle to survive in the face of brutal punishment and sadistic guards.
- Won 1 BAFTA Award
- 4 wins & 6 nominations total
Michael Redgrave
- The Medical Officer
- (as Sir Michael Redgrave)
Michael Hawkins
- Prisoner
- (uncredited)
James Payne
- Man in Prison
- (uncredited)
Robert Royal
- Prisoner
- (uncredited)
Harold Sanderson
- Officer
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFilming took place in Almería, Spain in a sandy wasteland called Cabo de Gata starting in September 1964 for five weeks on location. An old Spanish fort in Málaga was used for the prison.
Many people associated with the production had regarded the filming as pleasant, despite difficult conditions---The temperatures rarely fell below 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius), and despite the 2,000 gallons of pure water that were shipped in for the crew, almost everyone succumbed to dysentery during the shoot.
- GoofsWhen fat Bartlett (Roy Kinnear) is trying to climb the rope, Stevens (Alfred Lynch), who is supposed to be despondent and exhausted, can be seen in line suppressing a broad, amused smile.
- Quotes
Trooper Joe Roberts: We're all doing time. Even the screws.
- Alternate versionsColorized version was broadcast over TNT Network June 7, 1989.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Sun... the Sand... the Hill. (1965)
Featured review
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
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
- hitchcockthelegend
- Nov 14, 2015
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Details
Box office
- Budget
- $2,500,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 3 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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