Downton Abbey, any fans?

horseless carriage

horseless carriage

Well-known Member
The era that Downton Abbey is set in, early 20th century, makes for a great reference when looking the part at vintage festivals. Hand on heart, I never really watched an entire episode, too soap opera, albeit scented soap opera. But I understand that it was quite a big hit here at home and abroad.
Did you watch it? Give us your appraisal.
 

I watched all 6 seasons (52 episodes), along with both subsequent films. They've done a third film, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, which will be released in the UK in September of this year. They state that film will truly be the last one.

Once watching, the series quickly became absorbing after a few episodes. There were so many story lines between all members of the Crawley family and their sizable staff, that it was easy to get immersed. There were a few dullish episodes, and some not quite believable, but for the most part each next episode was anxiously anticipated, and it was sad when the series concluded.

I quickly fell in love with Lady Edith Crawley (Laura Carmichael). And it was always exciting and hilarious to enjoy any scene that the great Maggie Smith was in (Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham). But there was hardly a weakness in the entire cast.

Early 20th Century upper class England was a fascinating choice of subject matter. How many vast estates with numerous wait personnel there actually were during that era, I don't know, but it was fun to see everyone interacting. In real life I don't believe the British peerage would ever actually deign to fraternize in any way with their estate staffs the way some of the episodes were framed, but it was very interesting nonetheless.

The films of course can't capture the vast scope of the series, but still, I'll be looking forward to the 3rd and final movie.
 
Really interesting comments, remember I said that Downton Abbey was a useful reference for the vintage styles that were worn?

waistcoat 006.jpgwcdb.jpgpleated jacket.jpgpocket pleats.jpg

The privileged few certainly knew what style meant back in those days. My wife made me the formal and day wear waistcoats (vests) in the first two photos, and my tailor made me a blazer like the jacket in the third photo. There have been a number of comments about being an extra on set when filming Downton Abbey.

Anyone else hooked on this quintessentially scented soap opera?
 
Years ago I heard so much about Downton Abbey that I decided to check it out. I really didn't expect to like it but by the end of the first episode I was hooked! I loved Maggie Smith's character (and her portrayal, of course) but got into all the characters' back stories and the acting was really good. I watched the entire series and the movies as well. I will be waiting for the third feature film, which is due to be released in September of this year, to be available to stream.
 
I've been watching British television since the 1970's. But I never cared for the show. They seemed to kill off too many characters like a soap opera. I got so much more enjoyment over the years by watching other British dramas such as, Queens of Mystery, Patience, The Coroner, Rosemary and Thyme, Murder in Suburbia, Death in Paradise, Shakespeare and Hathaway, Vera, and The Avengers (just the Emma Peel episodes). Some of these show I have on DVD.
 
Downton Abbey is excellent in spite of the soap opera format. And yes, it is a soap opera, but with production values to match the best that the film industry has to offer. I've never followed a day time soap opera, but I've seen enough during my channel surfing, and I even tried to watch one to see what the format is all about. I lasted a week and found little in the genre.

The story of the Abbey is a good one that describes the issues the nobility faced in the 1800s and the changes that were happening in society that today we don't think much about, other than things like who invented the telephone. The issues of the servants were covered as well. I could relate to the struggles of both the wealthy and the poor and found myself rooting for both sides. It was a time of social upheaval, but restrained and guided thoughtfully.

While there is all kinds of underhanded competition going on in both the servant's quarters and the Abbey's wealthy owners, the overall tone is uplifting, and my introduction to social change of the times felt instructive. I bought the entire series on DVD and watch it once a year. I'm about to bring out the disks as soon as I finish binge watching Superman growing up in the series of Smallville, which is nothing like Downton. It's almost embarrassing to admit how easily I can enjoy both types of stories.
 
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ChiroDoc said:
I watched all 6 seasons (52 episodes), along with both subsequent films. They've done a third film, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, which will be released in the UK in September of this year. They state that film will truly be the last one.

Once watching, the series quickly became absorbing after a few episodes. There were so many story lines between all members of the Crawley family and their sizable staff, that it was easy to get immersed. There were a few dullish episodes, and some not quite believable, but for the most part each next episode was anxiously anticipated, and it was sad when the series concluded.

I quickly fell in love with Lady Edith Crawley (Laura Carmichael). And it was always exciting and hilarious to enjoy any scene that the great Maggie Smith was in (Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham). But there was hardly a weakness in the entire cast.

Early 20th Century upper class England was a fascinating choice of subject matter. How many vast estates with numerous wait personnel there actually were during that era, I don't know, but it was fun to see everyone interacting. In real life I don't believe the British peerage would ever actually deign to fraternize in any way with their estate staffs the way some of the episodes were framed, but it was very interesting nonetheless.

The films of course can't capture the vast scope of the series, but still, I'll be looking forward to the 3rd and final movie.
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Well said! I've watched the whole thing 3 times. It was so well done, beautifully filmed, and acted.

Julian Fellows really knows how to write characters we can believe in. Lady Edith was my favorite character, too, and the week after the Crushing Moment with Lord Anthony, I could barely sleep for the shame and hurt. The next episode was the following day and Edith came down for breakfast and I thought, "She's taking it much better than I am."
 
I never really got into it— or maybe I should say I avoided it after seeing 2-3 episodes b/c I could tell it would draw me in and mess with my emotions. I do love to watch clips on YouTube if Maggie Smith’s verbal zingers however 😂😂

And since @horseless carriage brought up the fashion aspect, I’ll just add I’m so glad I didn’t live in that era— I think the women’s styles of the time were just so unflattering
 
I watched all of it and loved it. Didn't see the movies, however; I think the reviews turned me off,.
Now Julian Fellowes is doing The Gilded Age, which has much more eye candy than DA.
 
CinnamonSugar said:
I never really got into it— or maybe I should say I avoided it after seeing 2-3 episodes b/c I could tell it would draw me in and mess with my emotions. I do love to watch clips on YouTube if Maggie Smith’s verbal zingers however 😂😂

And since @horseless carriage brought up the fashion aspect, I’ll just add I’m so glad I didn’t live in that era— I think the women’s styles of the time were just so unflattering
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maggie-smith.jpeg
You mention Maggie Smith, my wife made something similar to this for a dear friend
who wanted something special to wear to a Downton Abbey inspired event.
 
Della said:
Well said! I've watched the whole thing 3 times. It was so well done, beautifully filmed, and acted.

Julian Fellows really knows how to write characters we can believe in. Lady Edith was my favorite character, too, and the week after the Crushing Moment with Lord Anthony, I could barely sleep for the shame and hurt. The next episode was the following day and Edith came down for breakfast and I thought, "She's taking it much better than I am."
Click to expand...
I agree with your points, and I felt the same way about Lady Edith. Carmichael was perfect in the part. M. Dockery was good too as Lady Mary Crawley, although her character was a bit of a bee-itch...:cautious:
 
horseless carriage said:
The era that Downton Abbey is set in, early 20th century, makes for a great reference when looking the part at vintage festivals. Hand on heart, I never really watched an entire episode, too soap opera, albeit scented soap opera. But I understand that it was quite a big hit here at home and abroad.
Did you watch it? Give us your appraisal.
Click to expand...
Wife and I have watched entire series 3 times. None of the follow-up series were good, IMHO. But, 3/4's of our TV watching are Brit series --- costumers, police procedurals, Masterpiece Theatre through PBS, every detective series available and going back to the 60's with Rumpole of the Bailey and Are You Being Served. Brits know how to write, act, develop characters and plots. Americans, not really IMHO).
 

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