Connery's climb to the top in film special

Published on Saturday 12 July 2008 10:49

SIR Sean Connery will introduce a screening of his classic war movie The Hill to kick-off a season of his best films in the Capital.

Sir Sean, who will appear at the Edinburgh International Book Festival next month, has agreed to speak to the audience ahead of the showing at the Filmhouse.

Released in 1965, The Hill was directed by legendary filmmaker Sidney Lumet and also featured a performance from Connery's fellow Scot Ian Bannen.

Sir Sean gives one of his finest performances as a soldier in a north African military prison who refuses to let his spirit be broken by the gruelling punishment of running up and down a hill in the full heat of the sun.

The Filmhouse is set to screen five of Sir Sean's best performances during a short season dedicated to the Edinburgh-born star. The season also includes Lumet's The Offence, made in 1972, which saw Connery play a weary detective who struggles to control his anger while interviewing a man he believes to be a brutal criminal.

The other films in the season are Marnie, The Man Who Would Be King and Sir Sean's turn as Robin Hood in Robin and Marion.

Sir Sean's long-awaited book, Being A Scot, will be launched at the book festival on August 25.

The actor will appear alongside the book's co-author Murray Grigor.

The Sean Connery Season runs at the Filmhouse from August 24 to 28, and Sir Sean will be there introduce The Hill on Sunday, August 24.