Downton Abbey
- Director: Michael Engler
- Writer: Julian Fellowes
- Producer: Julian Fellowes; Gareth Neame; Mark Hubbard; Nigel Marchant
CGiii Comment
It doesn't matter what anyone says about 'Downton; The Movie'...it made an absolute packet at the Box Office!
If this had been 'Downton's Christmas Special' [on the TV]...no complaints. In fact, a little bit of praise...for the production values. Alas, not for the writing. Julian Fellowes has run out of ammunition.
There's to be a royal visit and the bulk of the story comprises of [much] moaning and whining about this protocol and that protocol. Each and all of his characters are given a little subplot...which means more moaning [upstairs]...about how tiresome it is to be filthy rich. And, downstairs...ooh shiver me timbers, there's to be a royal visit...Carson! Carson! Where the bleedin' 'ell is Carson when you need him!
Thomas - the gay one - is packed off to York and misses the whole royal fandango...but, he does manage to get himself into a right [royally] gay kerfuffle! Is it to be curtains for Thomas?!?
Nooo...nothing comes as a surprise in 'Downton; The Movie' - it's all just etiquette and snobbery...with a bizarre touch of terrorism thrown in...no doubt, to spice things up! That - indeed - is a surprise...although too light-handed with the damn spice. Okay, okay...no-one was expecting blood, guts and gore in 'Downton; The Movie'...but, a little more oomph would have been much appreciated.
'Downton; The Movie' is an episodic fiasco...with all the little stories being tied up with ribbons and bows and accompanied with smiles, contentment and back-patting. It really is just a very, very long trailer for the series!
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
The continuing saga of the Crawley family and the servants who work for them in the English countryside in the early 20th century.
Cast & Characters
Allen Leech as Tom Branson;
Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley / Dowager Countess of Grantham;
Tuppence Middleton as Lucy;
Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley;
Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley / Countess of Grantham;
Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates;
Raquel Cassidy as Phyllis Baxter;
Imelda Staunton as Lady Bagshaw;
Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley / Earl of Grantham;
Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Crawley;
Robert James-Collier as Thomas Barrow;
Brendan Coyle as John Bates;
Sophie McShera as Daisy Mason;
Geraldine James;
Stephen Campbell Moore;
Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes;
Jim Carter as Charles Carson;
Penelope Wilton as Isobel Crawley;
Max Brown;
Kate Phillips