Downton Abbey Movie Review

“Downton Abbey” is the movie based on the BBC series that lasted for six seasons. Many people are enthralled with the British nobility and the splendid upper crust of English society. Even if you do not have a great love for the Queen, you can still enjoy a well-done production that gives you a glimpse of what the haves have – and what the have-nots want. The regular cast is back from the series, and there are a few newcomers just for the movie. But everyone is dressed to the nines, and ready to have a Royal Ball.

The lord and lady of the Manor are Robert Crawley and his wife Cora Crawley (Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern). They have the honor to be visited by the King and Queen. Their daughter Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) lives there, along with Dowager Countess Violet (Maggie Smith) and Baroness Merton Isobel (Penelope Wilton). Edith (Laura Carmichael) is another daughter who is married to Bertie Pelham (Harry Hadden-Patton). There is Tom Branson (Allen Leech) who was married to the deceased daughter Lady Sybil. He is Irish and he leans toward the Irish Republic side, not a popular thing with other Royals. There are the assorted children and grandchildren, too. Then there many of the Manor staff and servants…

Mr. Carson (Jim Carter) is the head butler, and it married to Mrs. Huges (Phyllis Logan) who is head housekeeper. Anna Bates (Joanne Froggatt) is the personal maid to Lady Mary, and Thomas Barrow (Rob James-Collier) is a scheming junior butler to the Mansion. Daisy Mason (Sophie McShera) is the main kitchen maid, and Mrs. Beryl Patmore (Lesley Nicol) is the chief cook. Andy Parker (Michael C. Fox) is the footman, and he and Daisy have a thing going on. There are a handful of other workers and helpers as the Mansion, and they all are thrilled the Royal couple plan to stay at Downton Abbey for one night.

But soon the excitement turns to grumbling. The Royal Household Staff will be preceding the Royal Family. The Abbey staff will be scooted to the sidelines to make way for the special servants of His Majesty. A couple of the residents are a bit out-of-sort also. Dowager Countess Violet learns that a second cousin, Lady Maud Bagshaw (Imelda Staunton), is attached to the Queen as her Lady-In-Waiting. Countess Violet has many things to say about Lady Maud, and only a few of them are suitable for polite dinner conversion. Thomas Barrow is upset that Mr. Carson was brought back out of retirement for this special event. He is always looking out for himself, and he wanted to be in the spotlight. Princess Mary (Kate Phillips), the King’s daughter, lives down the lane, and she is worried about her elderly husband. Tom Branson – the Irish son-in-law – has a strange encounter by a person – Captain Chetwode (Stephen Campbell Moore) – who claims that his Irish blood should mean more than his marital ties.

But soon the visiting Royal Staff arrives and creates ways to push aside the daily servants of the Abbey. After all, the Royal Couple have more refined tastes, you see. The Abbey staff come up with some ways to combat the pompous visitors, and it makes for jolly good fun. Lady Maud has also brought her personal maid Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton). Countess Violet learns that Lucy will be the sole heir in Lady Maud’s will. Countess Violet has even more to say about that, and Baroness Isobel has a snappy comeback for every quip. Tom Branson also learns that Captain Chetwode might be more dangerous than he thought. The King’s very life might be in danger. If something happens, then who will have the first dance with the Queen at the Ball?

Thus it is with this Downton Abbey crowd. It is an amazing array of first-world issues – all ready to take top priority. is the silverware polished enough? Is the boiler fixed and making enough hot water for a mid-day bath? Does everyone have the most elegant evening wear for dinner with the King and Queen? This whole group makes the one-percenters look like a bunch of slackers. But really, the lord and lady of the Manor do have a great affection for the people who serve them. They struggle to stay afloat sometimes – so that they can keep the servants employed and happy every day. There is a lot of pomp and circumstance. But there is also a lot of pride in the work they do, and a lot of love for the workers and local villagers.

I admit that I had not watched any of the Downton Abbey series prior to seeing the movie. Would that help to be familiar with most of characters? Without a doubt! But it does not take away from the grand and sweeping epic-sized cast and all the beautiful scenes of the English countryside. The settings are precise and full of history and luxury. The acting is very good for all concerned, and the plot takes a couple of funny twists. The costumes are gorgeous and full of wonderful detail. The overall presentation is like having a very special episode of Masterpiece Theater, right there on the big screen.