The Hill (1965)

 'The Hill' is another of those 'Allied solders imprisoned in WWII sure would love to escape' films, what sets it apart is the prision camp is in North Africa and the solders are being held by their own side. This British camp in Libya houses solders who have deserted, commited petty crimes, and in the case of Sean Connery assaulted a superior officer. The camp's CO and chief medical officer are largely going through the motions, mentally checked out on a far from glorious assignment in war time. One of the guards goes sadistic resulting in the death of a young private, his immediate superior wants to cover it up, conflct within the camp escalates. While I had trouble really getting into this film for around the first half or more, once I was invested I was invested. Impressive final act. Stand out supporting performances from Ossie Davis as a solder from the West Indies and Harry Andrews as an officer whose sense of control is more important to him then his sense of justice. Black and white, directed by Sydney Lument (Network, The Pawnbroker). ***