The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill but Came Down a Mountain

PG

1995

1 hr. 39 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

67%

33 Reviews

Tomatometer

54%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

During the days of World War I, a small Welsh town relies on its local mountain as a source of pride. When two English cartographers, Reginald Anson (Hugh Grant) and George Garrad (Ian McNeice), arrive to measure the mountain, they discover the landmark is 16 feet short of achieving the official "mountain" classification. Disheartened that their mountain has been deemed a hill, the townsfolk devise a plan to make up those 16 feet. Meanwhile, Anson falls for a local woman (Tara Fitzgerald).

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Critics Consensus

With an ample serving of Huge Grant's trademark charm, a quirky Welsh town comes together to put their town on the map in this feel-good folksy tale.

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L W

This is the worst movie I have ever seen and the reason I hate Hugh Grant as an actor

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/05/24

Full Review

Steve D

Not a lot to it but it is entertaining.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Dave K

Flawless production and costume design, excellent cinematography and solid direction of first rate cast. It's a pleasure to look at and very cozy/charming. Tara Fitzgerald is top form as usual. Grant is peak Grant.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/14/22

Full Review

isla s

I thought this was quite an amusing film with a nice charm to it - its very much gentle comedy but its a nice, easy/light watch with quirky locals and an interesting story. Its a period drama of sorts (set c. 1917) with a nice village-y feel and the story wasn't too boring, unlike some similar films, thankfully. I thought Hugh Grant did quite well in his role here. I believe the film is based on a local legend. Historians haven't found any truth to the story but that didn't take away my enjoyment of the film. It is perhaps a little cheesy, or stereotyped, with the depiction of the Welsh locals being angry at outsiders daring to undermine or downplay the status of their beloved surroundings. I particularly enjoyed hearing the random nicknames of some of the locals. It may seem a bit patronising or cheesy perhaps to some but I thought it was a pretty decent film overall and I'd happily recommend it as such, yes.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

clive e

Passed the time I suppose. Like a Welsh version of Local Hero ( which I love) but just not as good. All a bit twee and contrived. Tara Fitzgerald was pretty though

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

dave s

In The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill but Came Down a Mountain, the residents of a small Welsh village take pride in and seem to be defined by the mountain that overlooks their homes. When a pair of English cartographers arrive to survey the mountain and ultimately determine that it's only a hill, the villagers are understandably upset and set out to remedy the problem. It's a cute movie that seem to capture the vibe of smalltown life and the comradery that exists between the residents, but it ultimately feels a little forgettable as it swings from comedy to drama to romance. Hugh Grant is typically charming as one of the Englishmen and the always reliable Colm Meaney is a blast as the randy publican, but there is just nothing memorable about anything that happens over the course of the movie. And good luck remembering the title.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Christopher Monger

Director

Hugh Grant

Reginald Anson

Tara Fitzgerald

Elizabeth

Colm Meaney

Morgan

Ian McNeice

George Garrad

Ian Hart

Johnny Shellshocked

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Like the film itself, [Hugh Grant] he’s too aware here of his own adorableness. The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill is pleasant, but in a small and overbearingly cute way. As offbeat charmers go, it qualifies as a molehill.

Rated: B-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Leonard Klady

Variety

A well-bred, diverting idyll.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Tom Charity

Time Out

Well-crafted as it is, and hard to dislike, it's harder still to shake the suspicion that Monger is making a mountain out of a molehill.

Jan 26, 2006

Full Review

Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

It's a simple, nostalgic watch with a predictable plot whose dramatic peaks are more rolling hills than mountains.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 28, 2022

Full Review

Edward Porter

Sunday Times (UK)

It may be only a gentle stroll of a movie, but its charm takes it where it wants to go...

Oct 24, 2022

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

A classy, heart-warming fable that points out cultural divisions with a wry smile while working to unite those who stand against pencil-pushers worldwide...

Rated: 3/5

May 1, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

During the days of World War I, a small Welsh town relies on its local mountain as a source of pride. When two English cartographers, Reginald Anson (Hugh Grant) and George Garrad (Ian McNeice), arrive to measure the mountain, they discover the landmark is 16 feet short of achieving the official "mountain" classification. Disheartened that their mountain has been deemed a hill, the townsfolk devise a plan to make up those 16 feet. Meanwhile, Anson falls for a local woman (Tara Fitzgerald).

Director: Christopher Monger
Production Co: Miramax
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English (United Kingdom)
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.9M
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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