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Film

Film review: Downton Abbey

How does the much-loved TV show translate to the big screen? Not well, says Linda Marric

September 12, 2019 14:13
The royals come to visit the Crawleys
2 min read

Four years after we said goodbye to them in the series finale of Downton Abbey, we are reunited with the aristocratic Crawley household in Michael Engler’s glossy big-screen spin-off from the hugely popular TV series.

Delving deeper into familiar themes of family feuds and complex “upstairs, downstairs” dynamics, the film offers nothing we haven’t seen before, but this won’t matter a jot to fans of the the series who will undoubtedly jump at the chance of revisiting old familiar faces.

Set in 1927, the film opens on a grandiose opening sequence of wide angle and overhead shots, setting the scene perfectly for what’s to come. After the arrival of a letter from the palace informing Lord Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) that Downton is to host King George V (Simon Jones) and Queen Mary (Geraldine James) on their tour of the north, both household and staff can barely contain their excitement.

All hell breaks loose when Downton’s loyal servants of many years are unceremoniously informed that the King and Queen will be bringing their own staff with them, and that their services will not be required during the visit.