The Hill

The Hill, directed by Sidney Lumet, is a potent and intense 1965 drama that explores the harsh realities of a North African WWII British army prison camp. Starring Sean Connery, Harry Andrews and Ian Bannen, this largely overlooked movie marks a significant detour from the high glamour and fantasy associated with Connery’s early career and his role as James Bond.

Set in a military stockade in the Libyan desert in the heat of World War II, the story revolves around five British soldiers who are incarcerated for infractions of military discipline. These men, from different backgrounds and diverse parts of the British Empire, are thrust together under extreme conditions and tested to their mental and physical limits.

Sean Connery plays the role of Joe Roberts, a former sergeant major convicted of assaulting his commanding officer in an act of insubordination. On arrival, Roberts and the other newcomers quickly become acquainted with the harsh realities of prison life, where punishment and humiliation are the order of the day.

The eponymous 'Hill' is a man-made mound of sand and rock, which the prisoners are forced to repeatedly climb in the blistering desert heat as a form of punishment. This torturous activity under the merciless desert sun is overseen by the prison's authority figures, Staff Sergeant Williams (played by Ian Hendry), and Regimental Sergeant Major Wilson (played by Harry Andrews).

Staff Sergeant Williams is an ambitious character, brutal in his use of authority, and eager to impress his superiors. In contrast, Harry Andrew’s character, RSM Wilson, is a stern traditionalist, upholding discipline and order but not without a sense of humanity. Acting as a counterpoint to these imposing figures is the prison's commanding officer, played by Michael Redgrave, a war-weary character plagued by guilt and ambivalence about the morality of his role.

The Hill is a drama that delves into the exploration of power, authority and the human will to survive. It is a stern critique of the abuse of power and a study in the psychology of imprisonment. The bleak and sandy landscape of the prison camp serves as a vivid backdrop for this exploration of human endurance and integrity under extreme pressure.

Throughout the movie, Lumet steadily ramps up the tension and makes excellent use of the location. Instead of resorting to the comfortable confines of a studio, Lumet shot the film on location in Almería, Spain, re-creating the sweltering North African desert. The black-and-white film showcases Oscar-winning cinematographer Oswald Morris' skill in suffusing each scene with a gritty realism.

The incredibly strong performances of the cast carry The Hill's theme of the struggle against injustice. Sean Connery, in a role that showcases his range beyond his iconic 007 persona, offers a powerful portrayal of defiance and resilience. Neither a hero nor a villain, his character provides the film with a moral center. Harry Andrews and Ian Hendry contribute equally outstanding performances, ensuring that the characters they play remain more than mere caricatures of military power.

This movie's screenplay, written by Ray Rigby from his own television play, doesn't pull punches in its depiction of the harsh realities of the prison camp. Regardless of the characters' guilt or innocence of the crimes that brought them to the prison, Rigby ensures that as viewers, we empathize with their plight. Nevertheless, The Hill also offers subtle commentary on the British class system and Colonialism, weaving deeper themes into its narrative.

The Hill is not a traditional war film, in that it lacks combat scenes and overt war action. Instead, it reflects on the injustices suffered away from the battleground, delivering a stinging social critique still relevant today. Its relentless and harrowing depiction of psychological and physical torment often leaves viewers with an uncomfortable intensity, which is indeed a testament to how engrossing, compelling, and enduring this film is.

The Hill is a dark but powerfully resonant movie, a profound exploration of dehumanization, control, and the indomitable human spirit. This emotionally fraught and thought-provoking drama stands as one of Sidney Lumet's best films, and indeed one of Sean Connery’s most demanding and rewarding roles. If you're a fan of war films, or interested in learning more about the underbelly of the military penal system, The Hill is a monumental classic not to be missed.