The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain
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Description:
Comedy favorite Hugh Grant (BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY) stars as a young man who offends an entire town by declaring their mountain -- a prized landmark -- to be a "hill." But soon he finds the eccentric locals, led by a witty innkeeper (Colm Meaney -- STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION) will stop at nothing to defend their honor! While the townspeople rally around their "mountain," a fiery young woman (Tara Fitzgerald -- SIRENS) charms the puzzled out-of-towner into seeing things their way! You'll be elevated by laughter as the hilarious townspeople rise to the occasion -- and the bewildered visitor stumbles into love when he least expects it!
Product Details:
Actors:
Hugh Grant, Tara Fitzgerald, Colm Meaney, Ian McNeice, Ian Hart
Average Customer Review:
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This movie has soulAug 27, 2010 Don't be put off by the title - The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain is a funny movie with a lot of soul. It's about a Welsh town that wants their local hill to be recorded as a mountain on the official cartographers' maps. So, what do they do? Pile a bunch of dirt on it until it becomes high enough to be considered a mountain!
The story is heart-warming and light-hearted at the same time. There are humorous moments (such as various plots to delay the cartographers from leaving town), but the movie revolves around the industriousness and pride of the villagers. Exemplifying their attitude is Morgan the Goat, played beautifully by Colm Meaney. Originally an outcast, he rouses the townsfolk toward greatness. His speech defending the decision to enlarge the hill has a humorously stirring ring to it - reminiscent of Braveheart... but without the weapons. The fire-and-brimstone preacher also ends up becoming an absolutely lovable character.
Hugh Grant also gives a good performance as the assistant cartographer. I'd warn Hugh Grant though fans that he doesn't come across as suave and sexy as he does in Bridget Jones's Diary. Rather, he's a bit insecure and occasionally bumbling. It's nice to see that Grant can play those roles as well.
My only complaint with the DVD is that the sound quality is horrible. Already, it's difficult for American-English speakers to understand the thick Welsh accents. However, the dialogue is very soft throughout the movie and I had to turn my speakers up much louder than I ever had before. Then, in those one or two scenes when the sound reached normal volumes, they nearly shattered my ears because I had turned the speakers up! I hope that's something that could be fixed for a blu-ray release. It would also have helped not to have somebody with a thick Welsh accent narrate (I know the director was trying to give the movie a colloquial effect, but it was really tough to understand at points).
Overall, this is one of those movies that I'm truly glad to have discovered. Nowadays, when so much of what hits the cinemas is simply garbage, The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain reminds viewers of time when movies were supposed to tell a good story.
The EnglishmanJun 21, 2010 This is a delightful story set in the Welsh countryside with a rather young Hugh Grant playing the part of a rather heroic young englishman who helps save the towns moutain from being relegated to a hill.
While a little slow the story is one that would suit a large cross section of people with a bit of humour and lots of love to make it a very pleasant story.
Most entertaining DVDMar 28, 2010 Darling story set in Ireland or Scotland. Very funny and sweet. Huge Grant is very good! Fine supporting cast too.
Croeso y CamriMar 13, 2010 Figure out the review title for yourselves. This excellent film, loosely based on a true story, tells of two intrepid British surveyors mapping the hills and mountains of Wales. They stop in the first village in Wales to measure what had always been thought to be the first mountain of Wales...until they give the villagers some bad news. This is a rich, heavy-on-the-scenery British/Welsh film, and I leave it to you to buy it and see it!! Hugh Grant is charming, and the Rev. Jones would approve!
Brilliant and CharmingJan 18, 2010 Hugh Grant is up to his usual antics and bumbling charm in this quaint Welsh tale based on a true story (which makes it all the more compelling.) Tara Fitzgerald is similarly magnetic and sweet. Every character in this film is spot-on and likeable in their own way. High production value, beautiful scenery, first class acting, writing and directing, one can't go wrong with this moving story set during WW II in a small Welsh town. It's truly amazing how this entire village comes together (against the odds) because of their pride for Wales' first "Mountain." A must see for Romantics, Anglophiles, and anyone who appreciates first-class quality movie making.
based on 67 reviews
