The Hill

A powerful film that takes place in a harsh military prison in the North African desert during World War II. The hero is a tough British officer who, because he refused to follow an unreasonable order, was demoted and sent to a long prison term. The camp's supervisor fully believes that his job is to break the spirits of his prisoners and only in this way is there any chance of turning them into better soldiers. One of the new guards in the place is a sick sadist who finds in his occupation an outlet for dark desires. When one of the prisoners dies as a result of his exploits, a rebellion takes place in the camp. The film is brilliantly filmed and staged, contains an atmosphere of tension and dramatic situations, and leads to a rather depressing conclusion: when the law allows the dark passions to run amok, there is no room for thought, logic, or human emotions. Sean Connery, in his first role after James Bond, also demonstrates his versatile talent and dramatic ability here.

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