Hobson's Choice: 60th Anniversary Edition

[Yami]

Hobson's Choice Blu-ray REVIEW



Pro-B

Source: BVA

Studio Canal will be releasing a 60th Anniversary Edition of David Lean's Hobson's Choice, starring Charles Laughton, on May 5th.

[rybev]

I'll pick this up - always reminds me of schooldays

[BigNickUK]

Ooh wow yes another fine Lean classic

[chrisron]

Excellent news!

[manicsounds]

Probably the funniest of all Lean's films (, yes more than Blithe Spirit). But will this UK disc beat the Criterion extras? Unlikely...

[BigNickUK]

Its up for preorder

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Hobso...Blu-ray/97819/

artwork

[DukeOfPrunes]

This is absolutely perfect

[pro-bassoonist]

Hobson's Choice Blu-ray REVIEW



Pro-B

[MacEachaidh]

Originally Posted by manicsounds

Probably the funniest of all Lean's films (, yes more than Blithe Spirit).

Took me a good half an hour or so to settle into the broader humour, and frankly I found the bumbling whimsy style of the score a little irritating. But I'm glad I hung in with the film, as it took off quite well after a while.

But will this UK disc beat the Criterion extras? Unlikely...

No, not even close. A pity, that, because especially with period films I do appreciate supplements that put the film into historical/cultural context. The two inclusions are interesting, but they're really just anecdotes.

On the other hand, the restoration is very impressive, both audio and video. Unless Criterion upgrades its offering to HD, I would say this release is definitely ahead.

[MacEachaidh]

Since I mentioned the extras, I'll ask: has anyone else noticed some kind of encoding problem with them? The video sometimes has a little spasm, like you often see with old videotape. Occasionally the audio as well, but it's nowhere near as pronounced.

Doesn't happen (fortunately!) with the main feature, so I'm not thinking it's a faulty disc. (Unless it's a layer issue?)

Anyone else noticed this?

[tenia]

I received the disc some days ago. I'll try and have a look at it.

[MacEachaidh]

Thanks tenia, if you have a moment, I'd be pleased to hear.

[Tom Monahan]

Any news on Criterion releasing this on BD?

[Early Memphis]

I'd really like to get this, as it's a classic, but it's so-o expensive - $37 on eBay and maybe $32 from Amazon UK. Unfortunately, right now I'm in a long, dark stretch of paying down the credit card from previous splurges. Hoping for a little Black Friday-Boxing Day-Christmas season relief.

[seeldoger47]

Originally Posted by Tom Monahan

Any news on Criterion releasing this on BD?

Do you know who holds the distribution rights? If the Criterion Collection is licensing it through Sudio Canal then we probably won't see an upgrade.

[Martoto]

Watched this on Talking Pictures TV the other night. Some of the scenes were black and pale green on one side, but steely blue and black when the shots were reversed in the other direction.

Presumably it wasn't the restoration that TPTV used then.

[5meohd]

So I just watched this on the Criterion Channel thanks to Ari Aster recommending it. WOW. Such a warm and hilarious picture. As I'm only recently getting into pre-70s cinema I hadn't even considered which decade this was produced in. Kind of shocked to see that it is the film directly before Summertime. You'll probably be shocked to know that this was my first David Lean experience!!! What a joy. Where to go next?

[drush9999]

Originally Posted by 5meohd

So I just watched this on the Criterion Channel thanks to Ari Aster recommending it. WOW. Such a warm and hilarious picture. As I'm only recently getting into pre-70s cinema I hadn't even considered which decade this was produced in. Kind of shocked to see that it is the film directly before Summertime. You'll probably be shocked to know that this was my first David Lean experience!!! What a joy. Where to go next?

If you want to try more David Lean you need to at least watch The Bridge on the River Kwai or Lawrence of Arabia.

[KayJay22]

Originally Posted by 5meohd

So I just watched this on the Criterion Channel thanks to Ari Aster recommending it. WOW. Such a warm and hilarious picture. As I'm only recently getting into pre-70s cinema I hadn't even considered which decade this was produced in. Kind of shocked to see that it is the film directly before Summertime. You'll probably be shocked to know that this was my first David Lean experience!!! What a joy. Where to go next?

Originally Posted by drush9999

If you want to try more David Lean you need to at least watch The Bridge on the River Kwai or Lawrence of Arabia.

I would personally recommend Great Expectations (1946)

An outstanding adaptation of an outstanding novel.

Also stars John Mills. And Alec Guinness in support (the first of six collaborations between Alec and David Lean).

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by KayJay22

I would personally recommend Great Expectations (1946).

Seconded, and then perhaps Brief Encounter.