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Hobson's Choice
Hobson's Choice
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Hobson's Choice

Hobson's Choice

1954
Romance, Comedy
1h 48m
Henry Hobson runs a successful bootmaker's shop in nineteenth-century Salford. A widower with a weakness for the pub opposite, he tries forcefully to rule the lives of his three unruly daughters. When he decrees 'no marriages' to avoid the expensive matter of settlements, eldest daughter Maggie rebels and sets her sights on Will Mossop, Hobson's star bootmaker. Maggie and Will leave to start up in competition, and she then turns her mind to helping her sisters marry their chosen partners. (imdb)

Directed by:

David Lean

Screenwriter:

Harold Brighouse, Wynyard Browne

Starring:

John Mills, Charles Laughton, Brenda De Banzie, Prunella Scales, Richard Wattis, Helen Haye, Gibb McLaughlin, Philip Stainton, Daphne Anderson, Julien Mitchell, Joseph Tomelty, Derek Blomfield

Genres:

Romance, Comedy, Drama

Country:

UK

Language:

English
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Hobson's Choice

1954
Romance, Comedy
1h 48m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 66.95% from 237 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(239)
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martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 22 May 2009
83
77th
David Lean never disappoints (well, I'm not crazy about Summertime, but then again I owe it a fresh viewing). One of his few comedies, Hobson's Choice is a delightful, breezy romp that both lampoons and celebrates several facts of the British spirit. The simple plot is propped up by three wonderful characters, expertly played by Charles Laughton, Brenda De Banzie and John Mills. Laughton's slapsticky inebriation is a little much for me, but it pays off with a terrific d.t.'s scene.
Rated 22 May 2009
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 25 Feb 2010
85
95th
Hobson's Choice is one of those rarest of movies in which script, directing and acting compete neck and neck for supremacy. A fantastic movie, hilariously funny and thoroughly touching.
Rated 25 Feb 2010
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 29 Sep 2009
3
45th
A goofy comedy about social mores and gender roles, with Brenda De Banzie steamrolling the men around her. Written and played wonderfully, with typical sterling marks by Lean.
Rated 29 Sep 2009
icebloxiceblox
Rated 20 Feb 2009
70
61st
Always a pleasure to watch Laughton and his antics, although he may have gone overboard a bit on the inebriated scenes.
Rated 20 Feb 2009
akatemossfanAKateMossFan
Rated 03 Jul 2022
43
70th
difontaineDifontaine
Rated 09 Aug 2021
80
77th
Old fashioned fun.
Rated 09 Aug 2021
oskarhuoskarhu
Rated 12 Sep 2019
74
32nd
Although providing a fair bit of amusement, the acting is largely too exaggerated to be enjoyable. Somehow found the story to be quite bland as well.
Rated 12 Sep 2019
mandymandy
Rated 10 Apr 2019
6
43rd
Lots to enjoy, strong female lead, witty script, effective camera work and a good natured storyline.
Rated 10 Apr 2019
napolenbradynapolenbrady
Rated 12 Mar 2019
84
23rd
83.50
Rated 12 Mar 2019
fra_paolofra paolo
Rated 01 Aug 2017
72
80th
Play-turned-film, although it is still a little bit boxed-in. It is a fable of Labour's 'the People's Britain' avant la lettre as the source-play was first performed in 1915. a) Set in the North, in Greater Manchester. b) Presents the feminism of limited objectives c) Shows how the working man can be liberated by faith in his potential and education d) Is rooted in preserving the family e) Rejects any radical socialist transformation for a universal petit bourgeois future.
Rated 01 Aug 2017
caffecaffe
Rated 09 Jun 2016
63
54th
Tremendously enjoyable small-time affair, with Laughton at his blustery best and a remarkably strong performance from Brenda De Banzie (who up to now has been unknown to me). Seeing her take down all the symbols of patriarchal society around her whilst staying the hero of the piece and rarely falling into old stereotypes of "the shrew" is a joy. All from Major Barbara, through Brief Encounter and up to here, David Lean really emerges as a champion of strong women coming into their own. Kudos.
Rated 09 Jun 2016
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 29 Jan 2016
85
98th
Excellent.
Rated 29 Jan 2016
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 22 Jun 2013
84
77th
There's some great cinematography here for a comedy and some rather strong writing, but the best part is how effective the actors are despite not being particularly showy. The tone is mix of British and Hollywood comedy and it turns out quite enjoyably.
Rated 22 Jun 2013
nepetaNepeta
Rated 22 May 2013
70
44th
For the most part very amusing (though the main musical theme is veeeeery irritating, and Charles Laughton tends to overdo the drunken scenes a tad). Brenda De Banzie is terrific, and the interactions between her and John Mills were rather charming and sweet.
Rated 22 May 2013
evolutionEvolution
Rated 22 Dec 2012
78
61st
Lots of great acting here, and I loved the camerawork during Hobson's drunken spells. That over-sized rat was creepy.
Rated 22 Dec 2012
hajikarimihajikarimi
Rated 29 May 2012
94
86th
really good job!
Rated 29 May 2012
skubasskubas
Rated 16 Apr 2012
0
4th
old
Rated 16 Apr 2012
joojooJooJoo
Rated 25 Mar 2010
5
81st
I like the role-reversals in its treatment of the sexes, it's just a bit silly and lacking in charm. The exception is more of that wonderful photography expected of Lean.
Rated 25 Mar 2010
jkendrickj.kendrick
Rated 21 Mar 2009
40
96th
"...makes everything old seem brilliantly and often hilariously new."
Rated 21 Mar 2009
orionzuluOrionZulu
Rated 30 Nov 2008
72
31st
Laughton hams his way through the film rather annoyingly, but it's still a very neat little film and fun to watch. Though unquestionably dated.
Rated 30 Nov 2008

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