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Hobson's Choice

Play trailer Poster for Hobson's Choice 1954 1h 47m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Henry Hobson (Charles Laughton), a British widower, is the overbearing owner of a shoe shop. His three daughters -- Alice, Vicky and Maggie (Brenda De Banzie) -- work for him and all are eager to get out from under his thumb. When the headstrong Maggie announces she intends to marry Henry's best employee, Will (John Mills), father and daughter engage in an intense showdown. As Maggie works on launching a competing business, she also helps her sisters free themselves of their domineering father.
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Hobson's Choice

Critics Reviews

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Joe Clay The Times (UK) Oct 18, 2022
David Lean’s impeccable adaptation of Harold Brighouse’s comedic play features terrific turns from Charles Laughton, John Mills and Brenda de Banzie. Go to Full Review TIME Magazine May 1, 2013
Hobson's Choice is a cheerful little slice of death, warmed over and served with some lively comic sauces by Producer-Director David Lean and Actor Charles Laughton. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety Mar 26, 2009
Although Laughton richly overplays every major scene, his performance remains one of the film's highlights. Go to Full Review Howard McClay Illustrated Daily News (Los Angeles) Mar 30, 2022
An exhilarating film frolic. Go to Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine Dec 16, 2019
...shrewd and jolly British comedy. Go to Full Review MFB Critics Monthly Film Bulletin Feb 2, 2018
Hobson's Choice is unmistakably the work of a craftsman; but an over-elaborate pursuit of effects, alien to the tone of the play, cannot but over-weight the material. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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D B @Honor Jul 26, 2026 A real sleeper that really turned out to be a great movie. See more Horror fan 4 @Horrorfan4life Jul 24, 2026 A very good heartfelt performance by John Mills. A boot maker who works for the hobsons and eventually is given a proposal he can't refuse. I loved the characters of will and henry.it was funny in certain scenes but I think they tried to hard to make us laugh. Overall a descent film but it should've been a shorter run time. Tim Treakle See more Sherry O @Sherryberry Jul 3, 2026 A delightful surprise. See more Melanie T @RT73954070 Jul 3, 2026 I was surprised by this little delight of a film. Glad I watched all the way through for the surprising story and performances. I definitely rewatch See more Kim P @RT98672688 May 19, 2026 I love this movie. Charles Laughton is fantastic in this role and the cinematography and direction are perfect. A very well-done film. See more Michael Edwards T @Mikedbigame Nov 28, 2025 Very underrated British film. Better than the better known Kind Hearts and Coronets, The Ladykillers or The Lavender Hill Mob. See more Read all reviews
Hobson's Choice

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Cast & Crew

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David Lean

Director

Charles Laughton

Henry Horatio Hobson

John Mills

Willie Mossop

Brenda De Banzie

Maggie Hobson

Daphne Anderson

Alice Hobson

Prunella Scales

Vicky Hobson

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Hobson's Choice

Hobson's Choice (1954) Hobson's Choice (1954) Hobson's Choice (1954) Hobson's Choice (1954) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Henry Hobson (Charles Laughton), a British widower, is the overbearing owner of a shoe shop. His three daughters -- Alice, Vicky and Maggie (Brenda De Banzie) -- work for him and all are eager to get out from under his thumb. When the headstrong Maggie announces she intends to marry Henry's best employee, Will (John Mills), father and daughter engage in an intense showdown. As Maggie works on launching a competing business, she also helps her sisters free themselves of their domineering father.
Director
David Lean
Producer
David Lean
Screenwriter
David Lean, Norman Spencer, Wynyard Browne
Production Co
London Film Production, British Lion Film Corporation
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 15, 2020
Runtime
1h 47m
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