On the Black Hill (1987)

Not Recommended

UK

Feature Film

Director: Andrew Grieve

Writers: Andrew Grieve, Bruce Chatwin

Cinematographer: Thaddeus O'Sullivan

Composer: Robert Lockhart

Cast: Mike Gwilym, Robert Gwilym, Bob Peck, Gemma Jones, Jack Walters, Nesta Harris

An adaptation of Bruce Chadwick’s acclaimed novel, Grieve’s sole theatrical effort – portraying 80+ years of family history, following the progress of a pair identical twin brothers from before birth until their death – is most notable for its stunning landscape photography, but on an emotional level it is much less engaging (although, it does just about manage to hold the attention), with far too much incident being packed into too brief a running time. Iain.Stott