directed by Christopher Monger
Once upon a time, when Christopher Monger was a little boy, he was told a story by his grandfather. Years later, inspired by it, he decides to make a film that becomes iconic and makes people believe it’s true. Today, I’d like to recommend you “The Englishman Who Went up a Hill but Came down a Mountain”, which couldn’t have a more accurate title. We move back to 1917, during the WWI, where in a fictional (yes, let me point it out) Welsh village named Ffynnon Garw there’s a hill. Because of that hill, two cartographers arrive and decide to professionally measure it. According to their first measurement, the hill is 930 feet tall. When they repeat the procedure, the more accurate number is 984 feet, which still means that it is a hill. However, the villagers wish their hill to be considered a mountain, so they come up with an idea to make it taller. How? Oh, that’s for you to see. But even this short introduction to the story should already put you in the right mood. I’m not going to spoil you the ending, but I guess the title does it for me. Or maybe not? Maybe that’s just to trick you? You need to find out yourselves. I have to say that it’s a classic comedy from the islands and it’s full of Welsh humour, so I know it’s not for everyone. Personally, I like it, but not in big doses, if you know what I mean. What I adored about this film is Welsh language and culture present from the beginning till the end. There’s even this cute “culture battle” between the Welsh and the English, which creates a joyful atmosphere. Just to make it clear – this story is probably made up. We don’t know whether it actually happened, but there are people, who took the story too seriously. The Garth Hill, which is considered to be the inspiration for the hill in the legend, has become quite popular among tourists since the release of this film. If you ask me, I wouldn’t say this story is totally fictional, because in each legend there’s a pinch of truth, and I’d love to climb this hill/mountain. Or maybe I should say: I’d love to climb this hill and come down from the mountain. That would be more accurate. Anyway, if you’re looking for a heartwarming and quite fun comedy for a cold evening, this one is perfect.
My rating: 6/10
S.
I have nothing to watch 