"Hobson's Choice" is a British comedy-drama film released in 1954. It is directed by David Lean and based on a play of the same name by Harold Brighouse. The film is set in the late 19th century in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, and revolves around the story of a domineering boot shop owner named Henry Horatio Hobson, played by Charles Laughton.

The plot centers on Hobson's three daughters: Maggie (played by Brenda de Banzie), Alice (played by Daphne Anderson), and Vicky (played by Prunella Scales). Hobson is a widower who relies on his daughters to run his successful boot shop. However, he is overbearing and oppressive, and his daughters' lives are restricted by his control.

Maggie, the eldest daughter, is an intelligent and strong-willed woman who becomes frustrated with her father's oppressive ways. When she falls in love with Will Mossop (played by John Mills), a talented but unambitious bootmaker who works for her father, she hatches a plan to improve her own life and help Will realize his potential. Maggie essentially gives her father a "Hobson's choice," a seemingly free choice that is no choice at all – he can either accept Maggie's terms and allow her to marry Will or risk losing his daughters' services and the business they run.

The film explores themes of social class, gender roles, and personal empowerment as Maggie takes control of her life and business while challenging the traditional roles imposed on women in that era.

"Hobson's Choice" is known for its strong performances, particularly by Charles Laughton as the blustery and comically stubborn Hobson and Brenda de Banzie as the determined and resourceful Maggie. The film is both a charming comedy and a poignant drama, offering a glimpse into the changing dynamics of society in the late 19th century.

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