BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Hayden Kane There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Tymon Sutton The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Maddyclassicfilms The Hireling is directed by Alan Bridges, is based on the novel by L.P Hartley and stars Robert Shaw and Sarah Miles.Lady Franklin(Sarah Miles) is a young widow who after suffering a breakdown following the death of her husband, is released from hospital and returns home. Her new chauffeur Ledbetter(Robert Shaw)is regularly assigned to her and they develop an odd couple friendship which for Ledbetter leads to romantic feelings. However class proves to be an unbreakable barrier that stands in the way of his happiness.Robert Shaw gives one of his best performances as Ledbetter a former First World War soldier who is trying to overcome class prejudice and start up his own business. Ledbetter fails to understand that nothing will ever be permitted to come of his feelings for Lady Franklin because of their different classes. Shaw is incredible portraying Ledbetter as a calm and dignified man with deep rage and passion bubbling beneath the surface.Miles gives the standout performance though as the emotionally fragile Lady Franklin, trying desperately hard to readjust to life following her breakdown.The Hireling is a bleak and moving film, given the time period it's set in it does a good job of portraying the importance of class at that time and how that was always going to come between these two characters. The Hireling is one to watch for the two incredible lead performances from Shaw and Miles.

Chase_Witherspoon Thoughtful study of the British class system, told from the perspective of one who essentially occupies its bowels, a chauffeur (Shaw) interacting with his employer (Miles), forming a close bond that threatens to transcend societal boundaries. Unfortunately for Shaw, his vulnerabilities mutate into misplaced fondness for Miles, a mentally crippled lady of standing whose only capable affections are for a recently returned war veteran (Egan).Slow moving, talky and ultimately (in my opinion) aimless - the climax is much anticipated, but the film ends quite abruptly and doesn't seem to me to do the narrative justice. Having not read the book, perhaps director Bridges was somewhat constrained by the manacles of the source material.Of the calibre that LP Hartley fans came to expect following "The Go Between" in 1971, "The Hireling" should appeal to anyone whose interested in the human drama, or perhaps, who admires the work of Shaw or Miles. Both are very realistic in their extremes, and of course, poignantly, in their common frailties. More narrative structure would have suited me better, even so, it's a sophisticated drama worth a look.

graham clarke After watching "The Go-Between", author L.P. Hartley cried, being so moved by the cinematic representation of his novel. Had he been alive he may well have cried after watching "The Hireling" for the way his subtle novel had been vulgarized. But Hartley had died just before "The Hireling" was made and playwright Wolf Mankovwitz felt himself free to do as he pleased with Hartley's book. That in itself seems to be an act of great disrespect and worse, his changes are greatly detrimental to the work. It calls into question just what right does one have to so radically alter a work. There is little doubt that Hartley would ever have agreed to this version.It's a great pity. The bulk of the film is well done, both Robert Shaw and Sarah Miles delivering strong performances. Adhereing to Hartley novel the overall effect would have so much more compelling.Not only a disappointment, but a great annoyance at the presumption of lesser artists to tamper with the work of their betters.

Linnell If you have enjoyed the original Hartley book with its subtleties and irony, then this film is going to be a big disappointment. Although the pace and direction of the screenplay are broadly the same, some of the characters are missing and others have extended roles. The revised finale completely loses the harrowing irony and pathos of the book. Ripe for a Merchant/Ivory production...