Hobson's Choice (1954): cast, story & where to watch
1954 · Film · ★ 7.3
Released in 1954, Hobson's Choice is a comedy and drama film directed by David Lean, running about 107 minutes. “A Masterpiece of Lusty, Gusty, Rowdy Entertainment” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Henry Hobson owns and tyrannically runs a successful Victorian boot maker’s shop in Salford, England. A stingy widower with a weakness for overindulging in the local Moonraker Public House, he exploits his three daughters as cheap labour. When he declares that there will be ‘no marriages’ to avoid the expense of marriage settlements at £500 each, his eldest daughter Maggie rebels.
Who’s in it. Hobson's Choice stars Charles Laughton as Henry Horatio Hobson, John Mills as William Mossop, Brenda De Banzie as Maggie Hobson and Daphne Anderson as Alice Hobson, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.3/10, Hobson's Choice has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel and TCM. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Hobson's Choice page.
If you liked it. Fans of Hobson's Choice tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Hobson's Choice (1954)?
- In US, Hobson's Choice is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV and Criterion Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Hobson's Choice worth watching?
- Hobson's Choice holds an audience score of 7.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy and drama. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Hobson's Choice?
- Hobson's Choice stars Charles Laughton, John Mills, Brenda De Banzie, Daphne Anderson and Joseph Tomelty.