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Hobson's Choice [VHS] [1954]
 
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Hobson's Choice [VHS] [1954]

VHS ~ Charles Laughton
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

Britain's greatest ever film director David Lean wasn't feted for providing belly-laughs. His finest films, from Great Expectations (1946) to Lawrence of Arabia (1962) are resolutely sober, which is more than can be said of Henry Horatio Hobson in his wonderfully comic encounter with the moon in Hobson's Choice. Lean's only other comedy was Blithe Spirit (1945), but here he approaches matters of the heart with a surprising lightness of touch and wins a marvellous performance from Charles Laughton--himself soon to make his one and only film as a director, Night of the Hunter (1955). The setting is late-19th century Salford (the b/w location filming is exceptional), and widower Henry Hobson forbids his three daughters to marry to avoid paying their dowries. Romance will not be thwarted by economics, and much humorous conflict ensues, interspersed with some serious and even disturbing moments--the shaving scene when Laughton gets the DTs is a queasily unbalanced. Brenda De Banzie is splendidly spirited as the eldest daughter, Maggie, while her fiancie is played by the ever excellent John Mills, who would later win an Oscar for his part in Lean's much more serious love story, Ryan's Daughter (1970). --Gary S. Dalkin


Synopsis

A working-class comedy from David Lean which finds a bootmaker from Lancashire brought to book by his eldest daughter and her husband who have opened a rival shoe shop.

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Customer Reviews

4 Reviews
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5.0 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A fine film version of a classic play., 29 Jan 2001
By A Customer
Some of the finest talent in British cinema is combined in this comedy of social class and family pride. Brenda de Banzie provides a touching portrayal of strong willed Maggie, who takes charge of her own destiny, with comic and surprising results. John Mills shows his talent for comedy as the reluctant object of her affection and Charles Laughton excels as her stubborn and drunken father.

David Lean's gentle direction shows affection for the material and ensures the piece is both comic and poignant. The film brilliantly evokes the time and place and the contrasting situations of the social classes. The backstreet scenes of working class Salford are particularly notable.

This film is a rare treat. If you don't usually go for old black and white movies, this could be the one to make you change your mind. Watch and enjoy as Maggie defies convention and arranges a wedding....or two!

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars British humor at its absolute best, 29 Aug 2003
By Kurt A. Johnson (Marseilles, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   
Charles Laughton stars as Henry Hobson, a hard-drinking, self-opinionated, middle-class Victorian businessman. Henry is king of his own little world, a tyrant to his three daughters and ringleader of a clutch of bar-cronies. Finally, daughter Maggie (Brenda De Banzie) decides that she must move out from Henry’s shadow if she is to have a life of her own. Seizing on their simple, but talented boot-hand William Mossop (John Mills), she begins to scheme her way through to a life for herself and her sisters. Poor Henry soon finds himself hilariously outmaneuvered at every step. [B&W, created in 1953, with a running time of 107 minutes.]

This movie is a masterpiece at many levels; it is enormously funny, while at the same time showing Victorian society from a middle-class vantage point. Containing nothing really objectionable, it can be watched by all family members. As a matter of fact, my 8 year-old daughter likes watching this movie with me. I recommend this movie absolutely!

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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless and Politically incorrect, 17 Aug 2002
By johnboy (Scotland) - See all my reviews
Hobson's Choice is also my all-time choice - released in 1953 about the 1800's in Salford and yet as modern in its comedy as anything made today. John Mills and Brenda de Banzie are superb in their charm and innocence. Laughton plays his best part as the ogre of a father (come father-in-law). The wonderful innocence of John Mills (Willie) on his wedding night with lines like: "Maggie's not the sort you get familiar with..." and followed in the morning with: "By Gum!" Watch it, you'll love it and the black and white just makes it better - honest! Since my review they have released the DVD - and I immediately bought two copies! Brilliant!
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5.0 out of 5 stars David Lean, Charles Laughton, John Mills and, especially, Brenda De Banzie, make a fine film
For those who didn't know, and I was one of them, a Hobson's choice is a free choice, but where only one option is really available. Read more
Published 23 months ago by C. O. DeRiemer

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