All-male cast trudges through intense, Kubrickesque prison camp melodrama filmed in moody black-and-white. Despite some powerful moments, it's an alternately bizarre and yet too-formulaic account of soldiers in a WWII British military prison in Africa. The thin plot is really nothing more than the standard introduction to--and dehumanization of--the new prison arrivals. Despite solid performances, the picture is intentionally repetitious, but nonetheless grueling. Thankfully, Sean Connery is around to give the proceedings some much-needed star-power; a cocky and cool captive, Connery elevates this from just another masochistic roundelay, yet his force as an actor (and as a vital star presence) isn't quite enough to make the movie truly worthwhile. ** from ****
Review of The Hill
