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

In 1917, during World War I, two English cartographers, George Garrad and Reginald Anson, arrive in the Welsh village to measure its mountain. Most of the men are away at war, and the village's atmosphere is subdued and socially isolated as it is a Sunday. The cartographers begin their assessment, initially estimating the elevation at 930 feet, which qualifies it only as a hill.

The cartographers' first measurement suggests the mountain/hill is 930 feet tall, but villagers hope for a higher figure. The community gathers to await the results, demonstrating their desire to elevate the hill's status and restore local pride. The town hall meeting expresses their disappointment when the initial estimate is below mountain classification.

The next day, more precise measurements indicate the hill is 984 feet tall, just shy of qualifying as a mountain. The villagers are disappointed but rally together to find a solution. Morgan the Goat suggests that they can raise the height by constructing a mound on top, and the community begins to strategize how to achieve this.

The villagers start digging earth from their backyards and transporting it to the hill, constructing a mound approximately 14 feet high on the first day. Reverend Robert Jones initially opposes defying religious rules but later supports the effort as a symbolic act of community resilience. The town shows unity in their desire to elevate their mountain.

The cartographers' car is sabotaged, with the mechanic breaking a crucial part, which delays their departure. The villagers try to extend their stay by persuading the cartographers to remain until the work on the mound is complete. Meanwhile, misinformation about train services hampers the cartographers' plans to leave the village.

Heavy rain begins, washing off part of the mound from 14 feet down to about 10 feet. Morgan the Goat declares an emergency, and the villagers work to cover the construction site with tarpaulin and earth, despite the ongoing weather. The rain delays progress and tests the villagers’ resolve.

Reverend Robert Jones collapses and dies from exhaustion during the work. In accordance with local customs, the villagers bury him on the mountain, recognizing his symbolic support of their effort to restore the community’s pride. His death marks a somber moment for the village during the project.

The villagers finish covering the mound and measure the height at dawn, with Anson announcing it to be 1,002 feet, officially qualifying as a mountain. Betty keeps Anson company during the measurement, and their relationship blossoms, culminating in a kiss before he departs.

Anson informs the villagers of the mountain's height, expresses his intention to leave, and announces his engagement to Betty. The community feels a mix of pride and nostalgia, having achieved their goal of elevating the hill to a mountain amid wartime hardships.

Many years pass, and the mountain's height decreases to 997 feet due to settling over time, turning it back into a hill. The spirit of Reverend Jones, buried on top, groans 'a hill,' symbolizing the transient nature of human efforts and community pride.

Inspired by the groan of Reverend Jones, modern-day villagers gather to add earth to the hill once again, reaffirming their collective spirit and connection to the landscape. This act symbolizes ongoing community resilience and the enduring symbolic importance of the mountain.