Three men, one hill, zero chill — time is a flat circle with an axe to grind.
Three men at three different times in history come to Mow Top hill in search of sanctuary from their troubles. A Roman soldier, a medieval rebel and a 1970s young man. Somehow they seem linked through an energy within the hill and an axe. Is history doomed to repeat itself or can loving another person free them?
Writing
Alan Garner's novel adaptation — dense, poetic, unforgiving.
Acting
Stephen Petcher's Tom — all nervous breakdown and longing.
Direction
Mackenzie makes 84 minutes feel like centuries.
Director
John Mackenzie
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Garner's novel was considered unfilmable; this Granada Television production proved everyone half-right.
The axe prop survived three timelines and reportedly still sits in a Manchester warehouse, possibly haunted.
GB
