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Lancashire bootmaker Henry Horatio Hobson (Charles Laughton) keeps a tight rein on his three daughters, until his eldest, Maggie (Brenda De Banzie), marries his assistant Willie Mossop (John Mills) and sets him up in his own bootmaking firm. To Hobson's consternation, Willie has soon become his father-in-law's main business rival.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
70 of 73 people found the following review helpful
By Big Al
Format:DVD
This is a wonderful warm funny film from the days of the British film industry,when they didnt bother about appealing to a foriegn market they just made great films and put them out.Directed by David Lean and starring Charles Laughton as a fat bossy father of 3 daughters who is at a loss when his eldest daughter decides to marry one of his employees.Apart from a protracted drunken sequence the film skips along with sparkling dialogue and a great comic turn from John Mills as the hapless bootboy chosen by Brenda De Banzie to be her husband.I must have watched this film a dozen times or more over the years and cannot reccomend it more highly.Buy it and enjoy!
41 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
One word times three, perfect, perfect, perfect. What I tell you three times is true. If you have any doubts, dispel them now and buy this, it's v. funny, charming, an unbridled pleasure; the best investment you'll make in a DVD for many a year.
If your image of old fims is of some stiff in a suit speaking posh to some wet bint reclining on a sofa then watch this and be amazed. The film is a character-led comedy about the aspirational working class, not drawing-room drama.
Being northern and old enough to have had grandparents with the same attitudes I can tell you that the characters are spot-on. John Mills is a chameleon, nothing less than ideal, and the rest of the cast match him. Especially Charles Laughton and the eldest daughter, completely inhabiting their roles which, along with the production's sets, suck you into the late Victorian provincial world.
Hobson's Choice has been carefully restored, the picture is a picture of clarity.
You can take your Dark Knights and 300s and stuff 'em - this has pride of place on my mantlepiece now.
If your image of old fims is of some stiff in a suit speaking posh to some wet bint reclining on a sofa then watch this and be amazed. The film is a character-led comedy about the aspirational working class, not drawing-room drama.
Being northern and old enough to have had grandparents with the same attitudes I can tell you that the characters are spot-on. John Mills is a chameleon, nothing less than ideal, and the rest of the cast match him. Especially Charles Laughton and the eldest daughter, completely inhabiting their roles which, along with the production's sets, suck you into the late Victorian provincial world.
Hobson's Choice has been carefully restored, the picture is a picture of clarity.
You can take your Dark Knights and 300s and stuff 'em - this has pride of place on my mantlepiece now.
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By Archbold Jake
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Hobson's Choice [DVD] [1953]
Forget that this is a film of a stage-play. It stands in its own right as a classic piece of its own time. It is a comedy of note and one which I find myself able to watch time and time again.
Charles Laughton plays Hobson, the owner of a shoe-shop/cobblers. He is a man of position in the locality, but is also a drunk. He is not only drinking away the profits of the business, but he is losing custom fast.
As a father he looks on his eldest daughter Maggie (Brenda de Banzie)as a skivvy. Being the oldest and least likely to be married off of his three daughters, she seems to be trapped into a lifteime of servitude to her father. Hobson employs a boot boy, Will Mossop (John Mills) who is very definitely 'downstairs' - literally, in the sense that he makes boots in the basement of the shop. Will, however, is the rising star and it is his ability as a boot-maker which keeps customers coming back.
Maggie is determined to break out of her virtual enslavement and sets her sights on Will. She has a strong character and 'leads' Will into marriage. Hobson resents the upstart, makes this plain and this inevitably leads to him getting rid of Mossop - the only real asset of his shop. The bootboy and his new wife now have no choice but to set up shop on their own.
The rest of the film is devoted to the rise of Mossop and the decline of Hobson.
The film was released in 1953 in black and white and was directed by David Lean with small supporting parts for Prunella Scales Richard Wattis and John Laurie. Although Laughton gets the biggest credit for the film, in my opinion, Mills deserves the accolade for a finely observed character performance.
It is a classic not to be missed.
Forget that this is a film of a stage-play. It stands in its own right as a classic piece of its own time. It is a comedy of note and one which I find myself able to watch time and time again.
Charles Laughton plays Hobson, the owner of a shoe-shop/cobblers. He is a man of position in the locality, but is also a drunk. He is not only drinking away the profits of the business, but he is losing custom fast.
As a father he looks on his eldest daughter Maggie (Brenda de Banzie)as a skivvy. Being the oldest and least likely to be married off of his three daughters, she seems to be trapped into a lifteime of servitude to her father. Hobson employs a boot boy, Will Mossop (John Mills) who is very definitely 'downstairs' - literally, in the sense that he makes boots in the basement of the shop. Will, however, is the rising star and it is his ability as a boot-maker which keeps customers coming back.
Maggie is determined to break out of her virtual enslavement and sets her sights on Will. She has a strong character and 'leads' Will into marriage. Hobson resents the upstart, makes this plain and this inevitably leads to him getting rid of Mossop - the only real asset of his shop. The bootboy and his new wife now have no choice but to set up shop on their own.
The rest of the film is devoted to the rise of Mossop and the decline of Hobson.
The film was released in 1953 in black and white and was directed by David Lean with small supporting parts for Prunella Scales Richard Wattis and John Laurie. Although Laughton gets the biggest credit for the film, in my opinion, Mills deserves the accolade for a finely observed character performance.
It is a classic not to be missed.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
My dad has been looking for this film on DVD for as long as I can remember, I'm so thankful that I found this on DVD as it's such a sweet film and good gift for Fathers Day. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Carlee
5.0 out of 5 stars
dvd
what more can i write about a dvd better than expected spot on arrived on time well packaged price was right
Published 17 days ago by richard wysom
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic. Loved every minute
If only they made films like this more often. David Lean was a genius. A great story well told, photographed and acted. Not a weak moment. Everyone in the cast superb.
Published 29 days ago by Glenn Bryan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hobson's Choice DVD excellent quality
I was brought up in Salford and my father saw this film being made in 1954 - had to buy it for him. Needless to say he enjoyed it.
Published 1 month ago by MISS ANNE DRIVER
5.0 out of 5 stars
a good deal fast delivery hope to do business again
again this dvd was not for me i did it for a friend who has no computer hope they like it
Published 1 month ago by Frederick Raffle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another John Mills interpretation
Delicious portrayals by the best, perfect for a rainy afternoon at home with hot drinks, biscuits and maybe a few sweets.
Published 1 month ago by Ceri
4.0 out of 5 stars
good traditional film
this film was one fo my moms favourite film, good film about the upperclass & working class,(hard work has it's rewards.)
Published 3 months ago by Andrew Fairman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hobsons Choice
What a great film. With Laughton opposite Mills and with the redoubtable Brenda de Banzie it is a must for all B & W fans
Published 3 months ago by Ray
5.0 out of 5 stars
Class all the way.
I was introduced to this from having to read and review the book in English Lit. class but I really enjoyed it and it has remained a favourite. Read more
Published 4 months ago by CarolB
5.0 out of 5 stars
A true classic
The restored version is a joy to watch. The standerd of acting is as good as it gets,with some famous names giving exelllent performaces. Read more
Published 4 months ago by dean meusz
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