The Hireling [Limited Edition] Blu-ray Review

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Introduction

Directed by Alan Bridges and adapted from L.P. Hartley’s 1957 novel, The Hireling is a meticulously crafted, emotionally resonant British drama set against the fragile backdrop of post-World War I England. Released in 1973, the film garnered significant critical acclaim, notably sharing the prestigious Palme d’Or (Grand Prix du Festival) at the Cannes Film Festival with Scarecrow. Centered on the complex, ultimately tragic relationship between a working-class chauffeur and an aristocratic widow, the film explores profound themes of loneliness, class disparity, and the lingering scars of war with subtle power.

Performances

The film’s success rests heavily on the exceptional performances of its two leads. Robert Shaw delivers a masterclass in suppressed turmoil as Steven Ledbetter, the former sergeant-major turned chauffeur. Shaw brilliantly conveys Ledbetter’s rigid exterior, his ingrained professionalism, and the deep well of unresolved trauma and yearning bubbling beneath the surface. His descent is rendered with terrifying authenticity. Sarah Miles, who deservedly won a Special Jury Prize at Cannes for her performance, is equally compelling as Lady Franklin. She captures the character’s profound vulnerability, her tentative steps out of debilitating grief and depression, and the flickers of returning life with remarkable sensitivity and nuance. The chemistry between Shaw and Miles, built on unspoken understanding that tragically curdles, is the film’s driving force. Peter Egan provides a strong counterpoint as the ambitious yet conflicted Captain Cantrip, while the supporting cast, including Elizabeth Sellars as Lady Franklin’s unsympathetic mother and Caroline Mortimer as Connie, effectively flesh out the social world and emotional tensions surrounding the central trio.

Themes & Setting

The Hireling delves deep into the pervasive loneliness afflicting its characters in the war’s aftermath. Lady Franklin grapples with widowhood and depression, Ledbetter battles unseen psychological wounds from the trenches and struggles with his place in civilian society, and Cantrip masks his own insecurities with ambition. This shared isolation initially creates a fragile connection between Ledbetter and Lady Franklin, which becomes the film’s poignant core. Inextricably linked is the exploration of class and social barriers. The film starkly contrasts Lady Franklin’s inherited wealth and status with Ledbetter’s precarious working-class existence, dependent on his failing car hire business. Cantrip’s situation highlights the middle ground, where social climbing becomes a survival tactic. The rigid class structure of the era dictates the characters’ possibilities and ultimately proves an insurmountable obstacle, fueling resentment and despair. The picturesque setting of Bath and the surrounding Somerset countryside is used not for mere beauty, but to underscore the social stratification and the characters’ emotional confinement. The period detail is impeccable, immersing the viewer in the specific social mores and lingering gloom of early 1920s Britain.

Final Thoughts

The Hireling is a slow-burning, character-driven drama that rewards patient viewing. Alan Bridges directs with a restrained hand, prioritizing emotional truth and psychological realism over melodrama. While undeniably somber, the film is a powerful and poignant examination of human fragility, the enduring impact of trauma, and the harsh realities of class in post-war Britain. Shaw and Miles deliver career-defining performances that anchor the film’s tragic trajectory. Its Palme d’Or win was well-deserved recognition for a film that remains a deeply affecting and beautifully acted piece of British cinema, offering a sobering look at the wounds, both visible and hidden, carried by a generation emerging from catastrophe. It is a film that lingers long after the final scene.

The Video

The Hireling was sourced from Sony’s HD remaster and is presented in a 1.85:1 AVC 1080p encodement. The image looks as good as it can being an HD remaster on Blu-ray rather than a new 4K restoration on 4K Ultra HD with HDR. The detail is good, but this is not a film that will pop given the original intent of the filmmakers. There is a lean toward earth tones and sepia tones in many scenes as well as cooler greys. The grain structure is not as refined as we would get with a 4K scan and restoration, but it still looks as consistent and organic as can be given the source.

The Audio

The original mono mix for The Hireling is presented in LPCM 1.0 and it provides a clean and relatively dynamic sound for its limitations and age.

The Supplements

The on-disc extras are not new, but the 32-page booklet has a new essay and archival critical responses to the film.

Bonus Features:

• The Driving Force (2020, 1080p, 00:11:13): Actors Sarah Miles and Ian Hogg, composer Marc Wilkinson, production manager Hugh Harlow, wardrobe mistress Brenda Dabbs, and production accountant Maureen Newman recall the making of the film
• The Lady and the Chauffeur (2020, 1080p, 00:11:10): Miles, Hogg, Harlow, Dabbs and Newman discuss the lead actors of The Hireling
• The BEHP Interview with Phyllis Dalton (2000, 105 mins): Archival audio recording, made as part of the British Entertainment History Project, featuring the costume designer in conversation with Rodney Giesler
• Original theatrical trailer (1080p, 00:03:02)
• Larry Karaszewski from Trailers from Hell trailer commentary (2021,1080p, 00:03:35): Short critical appreciation
• Image gallery: promotional and publicity material (1080p)
• Limited edition exclusive 32-page booklet with new essay by Peter Cowie, selected archival interviews with screenwriter Wolf Mankowitz, an overview of critical responses, and film credits
• Limited edition of 3,000 copies for the UK

The Final Assessment

The Hireling is an interesting and surprisingly forgotten film given it tied for the Palme d’Or the year it was released. This release from Indicator is a great opportunity to reexamine the film in a quality release with a good set of, while not all new, still quality extras.

The Hireling [Limited Edition] is out on Blu-ray July 21, 2025 from Indicator

Details

• BBFC cert: PG
• Studios & Distributors: Columbia Pictures | World Film Services | Columbia-Warner Distributors | Indicator
• Director: Alan Bridges
• Written By: Wolf Mankowitz | L.P. Hartley
• Run Time: 108 Mins.
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Video Format: AVC 1080p
• Primary Audio: English LPCM 1.0
• Subtitles: English SDH
• Street Date: 21 July 2025