A chronicle of the lives of the British aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early twentieth century.A chronicle of the lives of the British aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early twentieth century.A chronicle of the lives of the British aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early twentieth century.
- Won 15 Primetime Emmys
- 61 wins & 231 nominations total
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Summary
Reviewers say 'Downton Abbey' explores class dynamics and historical impacts, similar to 'Upstairs, Downstairs' and 'Brideshead Revisited'. The show is lauded for its detailed settings, lavish costumes, and superb cinematography. Strong performances, especially Maggie Smith's Dowager Countess, enhance its appeal. However, some critics argue it occasionally resorts to soap opera tropes and lacks historical accuracy in certain areas.
Featured reviews
I can't hold this back. I enjoyed every moment Maggie Smith was on scene. I was a bit sceptical in the beginning, but her performance is simply stellar. I laughed out loud alone at home watching her unique moments in the show. This is simply not comparable to anything I saw before in any other shows or movies. She is a treasure.
10robapacl
I was hooked after the first five minutes and come heaven, hell or high water, I was going to see Downton Abbey twice, the second time to pick up the points which I knew would be too fast, and possibly convoluted, to follow the first time round. I have watched Masterpiece since the inaugural with Alistair Cooke, and I can't remember anything as engaging and entertaining as this. As a cousin of an English family with deep affection for the monarchy and respect for the aristocracy, my perspective is an odd mix of Democratic ideals, old-time Republican values and curiosity about and appreciation of the social structure which prevailed so long in England. Downton Abbey appears to present a very balanced depiction of the social, political, economic and historical forces which drove the lives and fortunes of the classes and produced strange and almost incomprehensible behavior to comply with an unwritten, all-pervasive code. I am completely fascinated by the events and reactions and what would appear to be almost puppet-like behavior on occasion. I pray for a sequel.
I absolutely loved all six seasons. Was sad to see it end. Would love to see a 7th season or at the very least a movie.
At 19 minutes in I was hooked.
I remember when Lady Marjorie Bellamy of Upstairs, Downstairs died on the Titanic and the impact it had on my family. We felt this because of the investment we had made in the series.
This is a series where one can become just as addicted.
The lives and loves of the Grantham and the Crawly family are well-written and performed beautifully. The castle and the grounds a pleasure to look at, as are the costumes of the time.
As Elizabeth McGovern and I are equal in age, and I have grown up watching her on the silver screen, hers was a warming and dignified touchstone for me personally.
The cast couldn't be better suited for their roles, not one can be called a weak link.
Maggie Smith has a presences all her own, making each of her projects shine.
I am on episode four and can't wait for the remainder.
Once again our cousins across the pond show us "how good drama" can be.
I remember when Lady Marjorie Bellamy of Upstairs, Downstairs died on the Titanic and the impact it had on my family. We felt this because of the investment we had made in the series.
This is a series where one can become just as addicted.
The lives and loves of the Grantham and the Crawly family are well-written and performed beautifully. The castle and the grounds a pleasure to look at, as are the costumes of the time.
As Elizabeth McGovern and I are equal in age, and I have grown up watching her on the silver screen, hers was a warming and dignified touchstone for me personally.
The cast couldn't be better suited for their roles, not one can be called a weak link.
Maggie Smith has a presences all her own, making each of her projects shine.
I am on episode four and can't wait for the remainder.
Once again our cousins across the pond show us "how good drama" can be.
I'll agree that the British know how to do period drama better than anyone (certainly better than us Americans) and this is no exception. You'll be captivated immediately and hours will go by before you realize you've spent an entire afternoon in front of your television set. The relationships built between all characters of this show are what tie it up in a nice, fluffy (although not always pretty) bow. Brilliantly written and set in lush, vibrant surroundings with detailed costuming, this drama series should set the bar for others. No busy dialog or wasted scenes, just good, solid craftsmanship in every episode of this poignant family story. You'll do well to invest in seasons 1 and 2. Looking forward to the arrival of season 3!
Did you know
- TriviaCast members of the show have revealed that the costumes are, in many cases, actual articles of clothing from the 1910s and 1920s. They are so fragile that they cannot be laundered, and as a result, don't smell very good.
- GoofsIn episodes showing a Christmas tree inside Downton Abbey, classy all-white Christmas lights with tiny raisin-sized bulbs are lit; however, these impressive lights didn't appear for sale until the late 1960s and early 1970s. In the series' historical period, the smallest bulbs available were Mazda Lights, which are golf ball-sized.
- Quotes
Mrs. Patmore: I'll have no swear words in here, thank you very much. Unless I'm doing the swearing.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Breakfast: Episode dated 24 September 2010 (2010)
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- Masterpiece Classic
- Filming locations
- Highclere Castle, Highclere, Newbury, Berkshire, England, UK(Downton Abbey)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime
- 1h(60 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
- 16:9 HD
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