Product Details

• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Format: NTSC
• Original language: English
• Running time: 102 minutes

Customer Reviews

A Small Gem of a Movie
I watched this film for the first time as a freshman in high school, and found myself simply captivated by its utter beauty and humanity. Over the course of the picture I came to truly identify with the character of Aaron, and his story struck a chord within my soul that I never kew existed.

As the years have passed, I have come back to this movie time and time again, and I find that "King of the Hill" only grows better with each viewing. Undoubtedly this film has a tremendous amount to say about endurance, triumph, love, and adversity, and Soderbergh tackles such themes with great eloquence and ease. But what is most striking about this beautiful picture are the endless number of images that appear throughout the course of its story. I will never forget the tragic dance scene in which the character of Ella experiences a random seizure, the brilliant exchanges between Spalding Gray and Elizabeth McGovern, or the touching final interaction between Aaron and an elevator operator. But for me, the most incredible sequence comes at the story's very beginning when Aaron stands before his class and reads a report on Charles Lindbergh as it offers fantastic insight into Aaron Kurlander's strong spirit.

Beautifully acted, and brilliantly written, this film is an underrated jewel. I recommend "King of the Hill" to anyone, and make no apologies for saying that this is my very favorite film.

An overlooked gem
Steven Sodebergh has had his ups and downs as a director, and now he is on the upswing again with his recent successes, "Out of Sight" and "Erin Brockovich". Sodebergh's best film, however, is the less acknowledged "King of the Hill". Released in 1993, it got lost amongst the many great films that came out that year like "Schindler's List", "The Piano" and "The Age of Innocence". But this film, in my opinion, is among the best films released in the '90's.

The film stars Jesse Bradford, in a brilliant, commanding performance, as a resourceful child who must make his own way in Depression-era St. Louis. The film successfully depicts the hopes and fears of children, and unlike other films about children, portrays its hero as intelligent and responsible.

"Out of Sight" may be more stylistically dazzling and "Erin Brockovich" may have more star power, but "King of the Hill" radiates with the power of a film passionately made.

Not to be missed
"King of the Hill" was Steven Soderbergh's third film, following "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" and the inscrutable "Kafka." Compared to these films, "King of the Hill" is a small and straight-forward tale of the Depression. Jesse Bradford ("Swimfan") stars as Aaron Kurlander, a bright youngster in 1933 St. Louis. His family is impoverished, although his salesman father (Jeroen Krabbe) manages (barely) to keep them fed and housed. However, when the family's fortunes take a down-turn, they decide to send Aaron's younger brother to live with relatives. Then Aaron's mother has a relapse of TB and goes to a sanitarium. Finally, his father gets a traveling salesman job and leaves. So, Aaron finds himself alone in their apartment trying to fend for himself.

Based on a memoir by A. E. Hotchner, "King of the Hill" is a cruel film. Anyone who has ever been mistreated as a youth is likely to wince at scenes depicting Aaron's hurt at being left behind or his painful attempts to cover up his poverty from his wealthy classmates. The film is outstanding at every level - directing, acting, cinematography. Jesse Bradford has gone on to a career as a bit of a vapid teen idol, but his performance here is as wise and deep as any I've seen from a child. Adrien Brody also has one of his earliest roles as Aaron's older "mentor." Finally, watch for Lauryn Hill as the gum-popping elevator operator.

As of this writing, "King of the Hill" has not been released on DVD. That such a terrific film has been so overlooked is nothing short of criminal. It's obviously a small film, but by focusing on one boy, "King of the Hill" is able to portray the horrors and desperation of the Depression far more vividly than many "bigger" dramas, such as "Ironweed." Most highly recommended.