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From: Rémi Category: Films Date: 10 October 2008 Time: 02:36 PM Review: Way back in 1983, I spent a tearful weekend watching 'Greystoke: the legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes' followed by 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' on the Sunday, the latter films starring an especially engaging Charles Laughton. Now aged 32, and living on hospital accomodation with hot water and heating temporarily on the blink, I return to this master of drama and character for an absolutely fabulous night in. Action: mid-late 19th century Salford. Laughton plays Hobson, an ineffective bootmaker whose shop is really run by his eldest daughter, and expert cobbler, played by John Mills. His other daughters are to be married off to local dignitaries, but the eldest one he wants to keep as his maid. She rebels and runs off with Mills to set up shop elsewhere. Love conquers all! Strong on atmosphere and set designs, I was intrigued by all the veiled women. I suppose it was colder back then. The characters came forth strong and brave, held your attention like noone else for the 100 minutes of film. Felt that John Mills' transformation from hen-pecked simpleton to proud and domineering hubby was a bit too rushed, but otherwise very credible, if somewhat theatrical performances.