Downton Abbey

Name: Downton Abbey
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: September 20, 2019
Duration: 122 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Alice McCarthy, Allen Leech, Brendan Coyle, David Haig, Elizabeth McGovern

2019

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 42 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 90 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 90 Ratings

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Downton Abbey

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: September 20, 2019 | PG

Starring: Alice McCarthy, Allen Leech, Brendan Coyle, David Haig, Elizabeth McGovern, Geraldine James, Hugh Bonneville, Imelda Staunton, Joanne Froggatt, Kate Phillips, Laura Carmichael, Lesley Nicol, Maggie Smith, Matthew Goode, Max Brown, Michelle Dockery, Penelope Wilton, Perry Fitzpatrick, Phyllis Logan, Raquel Cassidy, Rob James-Collier, Sophie McShera, Stephen Campbell Moore, Tuppence Middleton

Summary: The Crawleys and their intrepid staff prepare for the most important moment of their lives. A royal visit from the King and Queen of England will unleash scandal, romance and intrigue that will leave the future of Downton hanging in the balance.

Director: Michael Engler

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: PG

Runtime: 122 min

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Critic Reviews

Allison Keene

Sep 19, 2019

There are some incredibly funny sequences, a few genuinely heartwarming ones, and so many plots it will nearly make your head spin. But that’s the Downton we know and love, and seeing so many familiar faces and dynamics is like visiting old friends for one more jolly reunion; you will smile throughout the whole thing. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Sep 18, 2019

Though Fellowes and director Michael Engler have taken pains to make the plot engaging for newcomers, this is a film, as was the case with the Harry Potter series and the Avengers saga, where the emotional connection will be strongest for those who’ve been there from the start. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Sep 17, 2019

Downton Abbey is for those who loved the TV series and were sorry to see it go, and there’s nothing wrong with a little fan service for Masterpiece Theater watchers in a day and age when every Marvel film wallows in it. Read full review

Nathalie Atkinson

Sep 19, 2019

With a plot focus on the exotic, ever-more anachronistic Edwardian manners and mores occasioned by royal protocol, it’s like a crossover episode with "The Crown." Read full review

Jeannette Catsoulis

Sep 19, 2019

From its spectacularly detailed aesthetic to the characters’ march down well-worn personality paths, Downton Abbey argues insistently for the status quo. Read full review

The Telegraph Tim Robey

Sep 9, 2019

Watching it is like settling into a reupholstered armchair which still creaks in the same old places. Read full review

Johnny Oleksinski

Sep 9, 2019

Julian Fellowes would have been far better off writing another relaxed Christmas special to satisfy fans. Read full review

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User Reviews

RJK69

Sep 25, 2019

Absolutely splendid movie. Saw it in a packed theater on a Tuesday night. If you love the show, you'll love the movie. I know I did! Bravo, Julian Fellowes for a great script and for his wonderful cast vividly bringing his wonderful words to life.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Hself

Nov 10, 2019

Very entertaining! Loved the characters and their various stories. I'd love to see a who done it story of murder in the castle. That should be very intense and intriguing!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

alejandro970

Nov 3, 2019

The effort to avoid looking like a long chapter for television is remarkable and appreciated. It's needless check out all the 6 long featured seasons for understanding the script that catches the full essence, including the soft, witty touches of humor.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MarkHReviews

Oct 16, 2019

Be forewarned: I’m one of the few people on the planet who did not watch a single episode of the “Downton Abbey” TV series (2010-2015) before deciding to attend the movie. My first clue that this film might involve a kerfuffle was the opening ten minutes of exposition, where two of theBe forewarned: I’m one of the few people on the planet who did not watch a single episode of the “Downton Abbey” TV series (2010-2015) before deciding to attend the movie. My first clue that this film might involve a kerfuffle was the opening ten minutes of exposition, where two of the actors narrated clips introducing all the major characters and their backstories. My primary reaction was amazement at the breathless implausibility of it all. My secondary reaction was incredulity at the number of storylines being maintained simultaneously. In fairness, by this point, most of my fellow moviegoers, who had presumably followed the TV series, were nearly orgasmic with delight.

As the movie trailer makes clear, the central storyline is that the lord of the manor receives a letter announcing the impending arrival of HRH King George V and Queen Mary for a parade through the town, dinner, dancing and an overnight stay. Mayhem ensues – apparently, the new butler in charge of the staff has been negligent in shining the silver. I was aflutter worrying about what future events of equal consequence might occur.

For the first half of the film, I was completely confused. Apparently, aristocratic white men in wide-lapelled suits and broad-brimmed fedoras all look pretty much the same.

However, by the second hour, I’d decided that “Downton Abbey” is an entertaining diversion, even for the uninitiated. No big points are made, there’s no major social commentary (except a glancing blow regarding the plight of gays in the late 1920s). The only “subtle” point is Writer Julian Fellowes’ support for the monarchy – if his adoration for the monarchy were a gymnast, it would fly off the balance beam, do three flips and two twists in the air, stick the landing and raise the King’s scepter in triumph. In my recollection, there were no actors of color anywhere to be seen.

Even so, this film won me over. It’s as fluffy as finely-whisked meringue, but kind-hearted and quite sweet-spirited throughout. While the dizzyingly intersecting storylines make “The Young and the Restless” seem straightforward by comparison, it’s all done with a charming earnest sincerity. With a running time of two hours, “Downton Abbey” has the time to bring all these stories in for a landing. There are chaste kisses, lingering looks, nods of understated satisfaction and lots and lots of stiff upper lips.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

GreatMartin

Sep 24, 2019

There were two kind of people in the audience: those who have seen every, or almost every, 52 episodes of "Downton Abbey" and those who never saw it or, like me, only saw, maybe 3-4 episodes, over the 6 seasons it was on PBS.

You could tell people from the first category as they laughed atThere were two kind of people in the audience: those who have seen every, or almost every, 52 episodes of "Downton Abbey" and those who never saw it or, like me, only saw, maybe 3-4 episodes, over the 6 seasons it was on PBS.

You could tell people from the first category as they laughed at EVERYTHING Maggie Smith said, and did, funny or not, while those in the latter category might have smiled at one of her barbed witticisms but certainly didn't laugh out loud.

This is a review looking at it as a stand alone movie while those who see it as an extension of the series most definitely would review it differently.

The screenplay by Julian Fellowes introduces between 30-40 characters with about as many story lines involving 2 or 10 of them. Anyone who is a movie goer can see where most of them are heading but a couple fail to pay off and a couple just fizzle out while a major one had me going, "So what's new? Knew that from the moment they came on screen!"

The opening segment sets the direction of all the lush photographic scenes and rich looks, in more ways than one, of the costumes, jewelry, and the settings both in and out of Downton Abbey.

The story revolves around the visit of King George V (Simon Jones) and Queen Mary (Geraldine James) who will be spending an evening at Downton Abbey, bringing their own staff of kitchen and servants which brings about a rebellion between the Royal's and Abbey's staffs offering about 5-6 story lines while there are many, some confusing, story lines regarding family members in all sorts of matches from mother and daughter to sister-in-laws.

There are too many actors/characters to mention all but, yes, Maggie Smith is a delight and the encounters between her and Imelda Staunton are master classes in acting. I have been a fan of Elizabeth McGovern since I saw her in 1981 in "Ragtime" but I have a feeling her role in the TV series was larger and stronger. I recognized a few actors such as Jim Carter but the one who really made an impression, and getting the biggest laugh, is one I am unable to put a name with the face even looking through the cast credits--possibly Brendon Coyle--playing one of the major Abbey servant's.

While "Downton Abbey" is a good example of the genre it is not as memorable as "Howards End" or, my favorite, "A Room With A View". While the outdoor scenes are lush this sequel would have done better as a 'made for TV movie'.

Am curious to hear from fans of the TV series as to what they thought of the movie.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Brent_Marchant

Sep 21, 2019

When a television series makes its transition from the small screen to the large screen, it needs to provide newcomers with enough back story to make the film understandable. Unfortunately, that's not the case with the movie version of the popular PBS series "Downton Abbey." Having not seenWhen a television series makes its transition from the small screen to the large screen, it needs to provide newcomers with enough back story to make the film understandable. Unfortunately, that's not the case with the movie version of the popular PBS series "Downton Abbey." Having not seen the broadcast version, I came in cold and left the theater feeling the same way, but for very different reasons. The picture tries to cram far too much material into its runtime, including what are obviously many hanging story threads, as well as a new major one created just for the film. The result is a hurriedly executed story that's at times difficult to follow without the back story, mixed in with some plot devices that are just downright silly, almost juvenile, in nature. Despite the film's impeccable production values and its fine performances by Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton and Imelda Staunton, it has little else to offer to viewers, except those who are for diehard fans, who are likely to love it, regardless of its many regrettable shortcomings. If you're unfamiliar with the material of this franchise, skip it; you'll save yourself boatloads of frustration, boredom and incredulity.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Wizzle

Jan 27, 2020

Portrays open homosexuality and portrays the royal family with degraded values. It’s more of an lbgt propaganda piece. The writing is poor and it’s just not interesting like the series was.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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