- Actors: Ralph Richardson, Ann Todd, Nigel Patrick, John Justin, Dinah Sheridan
- Directors: David Lean
- Writers: Terence Rattigan
- Producers: David Lean, Norman Spencer
- Language English
- Classification: U
- Studio: Warner Home Video
- VHS Release Date: 1 Oct 1999
- Run Time: 109 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004CK1T
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,508 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Hobson's Choice (1953) and The Sound Barrier (1952) is a double bill of cleverly juxtaposed films from David Lean's early canon, demonstrating that even without the landmark epics to come, British cinema would have been an infinitely poorer place without his tremendous contribution. Both films reflect his endlessly penetrating view of human behaviour and its perseverance through obstacles great and small. And both are effectively prisms that reflect all the aspects of that view, keeping the audience's sympathies constantly on the move.
Hobson's Choice, based on Harold Brighouse's eternally popular 1916 comedy, boasts fine turns from Charles Laughton--at his brilliant, physical best--as the boot-shop owner with three troublesome daughters, and John Mills as the lowly boot maker, elevated and improved by the eldest daughter Maggie in a neat inversion of the Pygmalion fable. But both are kept in their place by Brenda de Banzie's portrayal of Maggie, a performance that glows with intelligence, truth and increasing warmth.
The Sound Barrier is a drama about the race for a supersonic aeroplane. Superficially, its setting is quintessential post-World War II Britain: stiff upper lips, twin beds and clipped Rattigan dialogue. But it's prescient stuff. Ralph Richardson's aircraft manufacturer, sinister in his obsession, is an ominously skilful film performance. And Lean's take on the unthinkable cost of human achievement, interwoven with some spectacular cinematography, absorbs and unsettles. It's especially poignant now that the supersonic age has been summarily ended by Concorde's retirement.
On the DVD: Hobson's Choice and The Sound Barrier are both black-and-white films presented in 4:3 picture format, from reasonable prints, and with a mono soundtrack of suitably robust quality for Malcolm Arnold's inventive scores. There are no extras, apart from scene indexes. --Piers Ford
From the Back Cover
From David Lean, director of Lawrence of Arabia and Dr. Zhivago, the exciting true-life story of the jet plane's early days and the committed man who risked all to test the danger levels.
Ralph Richardson is an aircraft manufacturer driven to design the first supersonic aeroplane even if his obsession to break the sound barrier costs him his humanity, the love of his family and the ultimate sacrifice - his son.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ralph Richardson will break the sound barrier at any cost.,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Sound Barrier (1952) [VHS] (VHS Tape)
David Lean's film follows one man's dream to build the first supersonic jet. Ralph Richardson is excellent as the obsessed aircraft designer who is willing to risk all,including his family, to achieve his goal. David Lean focuses on Richardson's powerfully destructive ego,keeping the film aloft with some intense flight scenes as the new jet is test-piloted. 'The Sound Barrier' is a great film about one man defying nature and public belief. It is a reminder of what can be achieved and that the laws of science are there to be broken. A must see for all David Lean fans!
4.0 out of 5 stars
Know thy father,
By
This review is from: The Sound Barrier (1952) [VHS] (VHS Tape)
The DVD version of "Breaking the sound barrier" 1952, a David Lean production, that I watched is disk one of "The World War Collection" May 27, 2008; this is funny as it has nothing to do with a war.
Originally produced by London Films. Copyright 1952 British Lion Film Corporation Ltd. at Shepperton. With the co-operation of the Ministry of Supply and the Director and Members of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors. The film itself had Great Britton 1952 typed all over it. We get lots of footage of different 50's jets (The de Havilland COMET, The Vickers-Supermarine ATTACKER, the de Havilland VAMPIRE 113, and The Vickers-Supermarine SWIFT Rolls-Royce `Avon' Engine.) The basic Story and Screenplay by Terence Rattigan is of a father and owner of an aircraft industry. He wants to have the mysterious and unknown sound barrier broken. His excuse is "because it is there." It appears to his daughter that he is rather callus and will sacrifice the lives of his own son (Denholm Elliott who played Dr. Marcus Brody in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) and son-in-law to accomplish his goal. Will father and daughter come to terms or understanding of each other's world or will the daughter save her son from a similar fait in the insatiable clutches of her father.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review) 2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Know thy father,
By bernie "xyzzy" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Sound Barrier (1952) [VHS] (VHS Tape)
The DVD version of "Breaking the sound barrier" 1952, a David Lean production, that I watched is disk one of "The World War Collection" May 27, 2008; this is funny as it has nothing to do with a war.
Originally produced by London Films. Copyright 1952 British Lion Film Corporation Ltd. at Shepperton. With the co-operation of the Ministry of Supply and the Director and Members of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors. The film itself had Great Britton 1952 typed all over it. We get lots of footage of different 50's jets (The de Havilland COMET, The Vickers-Supermarine ATTACKER, the de Havilland VAMPIRE 113, and The Vickers-Supermarine SWIFT Rolls-Royce `Avon' Engine.) The basic Story and Screenplay by Terence Rattigan is of a father and owner of an aircraft industry. He wants to have the mysterious and unknown sound barrier broken. His excuse is "because it is there." It appears to his daughter that he is rather callus and will sacrifice the lives of his own son (Denholm Elliott who played Dr. Marcus Brody in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) and son-in-law to accomplish his goal. Will father and daughter come to terms or understanding of each other's world or will the daughter save her son from a similar fait in the insatiable clutches of her father. |
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