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

[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.

[pro-bassoonist]

Hobson's Choice Blu-ray REVIEW



Pro-B

[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.

[James78]

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?

Here is a David Lean thread with his films listed in chronological order:https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=202623

(I personally think Brief Encounter is his masterpiece )

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by 5meohd

... this was my first David Lean experience!!! What a joy. Where to go next?

I would suggest to keep his lengthy Hollywood epics to the last, or at least intersperse them with his British pictures. If you can play region A, this box has some wonderful films:

[FaceInTheLeaves]

Originally Posted by ravenus

I would suggest to keep his lengthy Hollywood epics to the last, or at least intersperse them with his British pictures. If you can play region A, this box has some wonderful films:

I love that set. Along with David Lynch, Criterion’s Powell & Pressburger, Hitchcock and Lean DVDs were the reason I went multi-region.

The Lean/Coward box set and A Canterbury Tale DVD are my all time favourite Criterion releases.

[justwannaboogie]

There's some really big gaps in Lean's films on BD in his own country. Hopefully we'll get Madeleine and The Passionate Friends from someone. Ryan's Daughter is definitely overdue an upgrade too.

[drush9999]

Originally Posted by justwannaboogie

There's some really big gaps in Lean's films on BD in his own country. Hopefully we'll get Madeleine and The Passionate Friends from someone. Ryan's Daughter is definitely overdue an upgrade too.

I bought The Passionate Friends from France recently because I was fed up of waiting. Shameful no UK release of Olive Twist either, and Great Expectations is bare bones.