Tempête sur la colline

This film is based on a play, entitled BONAVENTURE, the title of which refers to the lead character, the nun named Sister Mary Bonaventure. But the film was released in 1951 as THUNDER ON THE HILL and has been released on DVD and Blu-Ray recently under that title as well. The story is highly dramatic, indeed can properly be described as a melodrama, and is powerfully directed by Douglas Sirk. It is set in the county of Norfolk, 8 miles from the city Norwich. Enormous floods have made the land impassable, so that some travellers cannot reach Norwich and they take refuge in a large convent, where they are welcomed by the sisters, who feed and shelter them. Amongst those taking refuge there are a policeman and a woman prisoner, as well as her female guard. We learn that she is on her way to Norwich to be executed for murder, and is due to be hung by the neck on a gallows the very next morning. But she will be late for her own execution, because there is no way to get to Norwich, and the phone lines are down so that a police boat cannot be summoned either. This sets the scene for a high intensity situation. A very saintly young nun feels instinctively when she meet the supposed murderess that she is really innocent. The nun is played by Claudette Colbert, and the condemned girl by Ann Blyth. The cinematography is terrific, evoking moods and atmospheres with every shot, and is by William H. Daniels. The combination of his camera work, Sirk's direction, and standout performances by the actors (Gladys Cooper play the Mother superior) make the drama immensely powerful. This is a major early work by Douglas Sirk. And it focuses intently on questions of guilt and innocence, and highly emotional scenes with a great deal of tension, as the confrontations play out one after the other, things are revealed, and there are surprises in store.

Based on a undistinguished play, in lesser hands this would have been totally forgettable. Director Douglas Sirk endows it all with a sense of style but still does not manage to salvage the pedestrian stagy dialog.

Claudette Colbert is as always, winning in her role as the nun with a feisty spirit she finds difficult to hold in check and Gladys Cooper lends her renowned haughtiness. While there are some well played smaller parts there's much wooden acting too which bogs the film down measurably.

One can't help wondering if Hitchcock ever saw this, as the climax in the bell tower is a forerunner of the famous scene from "Vertigo", but there the similarity ends.

Since Sirk went on to become an important director, this film is of certain interest, but not one to make any particular effort to hunt down.

Convicted murderess, Valerie Carns (Ann Blyth), is being transported to Norwich to be executed when a flash flood strands her and her guards at a convent hospital.

As Nurse Sister Mary (Claudette Colbert) grows to know Valerie, she becomes convinced of her innocence and sets out to find the real killer... and gets much disapproval from doing so ...

King of melodrama Douglas Sirk sharply directs this whodunnit in which several people harbour a secret that could stop an innocent woman from being hanged. There's wonderful gothic atmosphere, drama especially around the convent; corridors, shadows, arched windows and winding stone staircases, complete with a bell tower, of course. The cute face of Claudette Colbert is luminously-lit as she puts on her detective hat on in the race of ensnaring a killer - a killer amongst a small group in a convent. Sounds very much like Agatha Christie. Unlike in a Christie novel, it's not hard to guess who the killer is, but it's a highly enjoyable film nevertheless, with fine acting (Claudette Colbert, Ann Blithe and Michael Pate are standouts) and a very strong plot teemed with enough suspense. Maybe some flashbacks would've been good to flesh out the "murder". Ends with a nail biter sequence on top of a bell tower.

It's a can-we-prove-her-innocence before the convicted murderess is executed drama set in a convent hospital in Norfolk County, England, in the 1940s. A significant rainstorm and collapsed dike have isolated the convent hospital. Major characters are the Mother Superior (Gladys Cooper), hospital matron Sister Mary (Claudette Colbert), handyman Willi (Michael Pate), Dr. Jeffreys (Robert Douglas) and his flighty wife, Isabel (Anne Crawford), and angry Nurse Phillips (Phyllis Stanley). During the downpour, Police Sergeant Melling (Gavin Muir), Prison Matron Pierce (Norma Varden), and prisoner Valerie Carns (Ann Blyth) are forced to take cover at the convent. Carns has been found guilty of poisoning her disabled brother and is on her way to Norfolk to be hanged.

The plot revolves around Sister Mary's saintliness, which some around her challenge when she begins to doubt Valerie's guilt of the crime. Slowly, Sister Mary gathers information and discerns the villain's identity despite Mother Superior's opposition.

"Thunder of the Hill" (we hear thunder during the storm) is a straightforward murder mystery and not really in the noir style that some call it. Colbert does well as the nun who searches for perfection as she feels guilt for her own brother's suicide. I was less impressed with Ann Blyth's acting; it seemed forced and brittle. The other primary actors did well, including Michael Pate, Robert Douglas, and Phyllis Stanley.

One needs to enter into the atmosphere of this taut emotional story to really appreciate the fine acting done by all. Have seen "Thunder on the Hill" countless times and it's still riveting. The dialogue unfolds splendidly like a fine dramatic stage play of intrigue and mystery.

Claudette Colbert gives a fine performance as Sister Mary who is haunted by certain memories of her past and yet feels compelled to do what is right according to her conscience even though it conflicts with those in authority especially Mother Superior (Gladys Cooper).

Ann Blyth as Valerie really does make one feel that life is very precious - no one wants to die when there's so much to live for especially when young, very much in love and with plans to marry being dashed by this unjust verdict of guilty which will destroy everything.

Philip Friend as Sidney, Valerie's intended, is distraught with despair but eventually comes round and being convinced of her innocence tries to help in some way, offering Valerie his love and support in their emotionally charged scenes together.

Michael Pate as simple-minded Willie does add texture to the story of intrigue in the beginning - he holds an important letter - his voice and minor dialogue reveal a well-acted character role.

Robert Douglas as the doctor is suave and believable (well-oiled you might say) and he cares for his wife's delicate mental condition to the extent of becoming very possessive and controlling which becomes his downfall eventually.

It's a strong story of deep human conflict that everyone can relate to. One of my favourites.