Thunder on the Hill (1951)

 THUNDER ON THE HILL (1951)

Starring Claudette Colbert, Ann Blyth, Robert Douglas, Anne Crawford, Philip Friend, Gladys Cooper, Connie Gilchrist, John Abbott, Michael Pate, Gavin Muir

Directed by Douglas Sirk; Cinematography by William H. Daniels

Music by Hans J. Salter

Feature Film: 84 minutes

This is one of Claudette Colbert's most-forgotten films. However, that doesn't mean it should be. This was based on a British play, and is a tense, melodramatic mystery. It features a fine cast with the stars and supporting players complimenting each other very well. The cinematographer was the man who filmed many of Garbo and Norma Shearer's films while he worked at MGM, and he is still a master of the the art of filming in "Glorious Black & White". Actually, every shot is a jewel. The angles and the lighting are masterfully done and are very pleasing to the eye. The music was composed by Universal's Hans Salter, who wrote much of their stock music and scored many films. Actually, the music and the lighting are the two "stars" of this film for me. So fantastic, this is a true work of art.

The story happens in a small English village during a flood, with all the villagers taking refuge in the convent hospital. Claudette Colbert gives a great, solid performance as Sister Mary, a nun who is trying to forget her past. However, her personal problems are overshadowed with the arrival of a convicted murderess (Ann Blyth), who is on her way to be executed. Forced by the water to take refuge in the convent, Valerie and her two guards are stuck for a couple of days in the convent. Sister Mary believes the girl to be innocent and sets about trying to find proof, going against the wishes of the prison guard (Gavin Muir) and the Mother Superior (Gladys Cooper). Since the entire village has taken refuge in the convent hospital, everyone connected with the case is on hand. Slowly, with the help ofValerie's fiance (Philip Friend), Sister Josephine (Connie Gilchrist), and the simple-minded Willie (Michael Pate), Sister Mary starts to piece together the story behind the murder.

The DVD transfer is absolutely wonderful. One of the best black & white restorations we've seen. The audio quality is great and you couldn't really ask for a better transfer. It has tracks (but no scene selection) that are nicely spaced at scene breaks. Also comes with a filmed intro by TCM's Robert Osborne, publicity photo/poster gallery, and a TCMDb article that gives some background about the film. You can buy this movie separately or in the Douglas Sirk Collection. Click on the photos to go to Amazon.com.