When we moved to Dorset, Sir Julian Fellowes [creator of Downton Abbey] lived25 miles up the road. And Highclere Castle, location for the filming, was in the opposite direction, in Berkshire. Less than an hour away from Ferndown. I know it isn't in the National Trust, but please can we visit? I said. In 2015.
Then at last, it was released on Netflix on Friday. Saturday Bob was doing woodwork in the workshop - so I settled down with tea and cross stitch and indulged in an afternoon of sheer escapism.
If you enjoyed the series and the first film , you will enjoy this. If you are not really up on the backstory of DA it may be a little confusing in places.
But I loved it - crazy plot, but somehow it managed to tie up all the ends in tidy little bows. People who should have got together did, difficult people were placated. Some neat little in-jokes - like when the French Milliner mistakes Carson the butler for Lady Bagshaw's husband. [Carson being played by Jim Carter, Lady B plated by his real life wife of 40 years, Imelda Staunton]
It was enormous fun and I shall probably watch it again sometime. *****
So, did you ever go to see Highclere?
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched Downton Abbey, but, I did go to see the 1st movie with my friend R (it was being shown, free of charge, at the library). I haven't seen the second movie. Glad you enjoyed it, though. :)
Still waiting to visit Highclere. How lovely to see it FREE at your library
DeleteI avoided Downton Abbey for some time, thinking that I wouldn't enjoy it. I was wrong, I loved it! The last film was very good. I have been watching The Durrells on Netflix, again late to the party but enjoying it. And seeing Corfu is lovely.
ReplyDeleteThe Durrells was good fun [all that Mediterranean sunshine]
DeleteThe opening scene to New Era was filmed a stone’s throw from where I live. If you remember your late 1980s early 1990’s TV you probably recognized the house.
ReplyDeleteIt looked familiar - I shall have to check it again
DeleteOh of course, it is Belchamp Hall - aka Felsham Hall in the Lovejoy series. How utterly weird for Phyllis Logan ! Playing Lady Jane [upstairs] in one film then Mrs Hughes [downstairs] in the other!
Delete10 out of 10 for sleuthing. Phyllis Logan was quite emotional returning to the hall. Lovejoy was the start of her career. It was interesting watching the filming.
DeleteI bet it was!
DeleteWe've been catching up on the full series of DA on Netflix, so were waiting with remote in hand for the film to be released on Friday, and well worth it. I just wish that Netflix could get the first film as well, then we could binge-watch the full set.
ReplyDeleteI think Netflix does have the first film now, check it out
DeleteAbove all, I would have loved to go to the cinema with you. Downton Abbey simply delicious... I love escaping into it... wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAnd the fact that you were able to see the originals is simply wonderful...
kind regards to you.
I wish you a happy week.
Thank you. Viola
Yes, Viola, a cinema trip with you, and other blogfriends would be lovely!
DeleteI used to love DA but have somehow left it behind, think I should revisit it
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
Oh do revisit, there are some fun episodes
DeleteWhen I was working for the Aristocrats, I couldn't watch Downtown because it seemed too close to home and I'd had enough of plummy accents but now that I'm retired (though still keeping my hand in every week, 'doing' for one of the daughters!), I love it now and have binge watched right up to the first film. I was unaware there was a new film so thanks for that Ang!x
ReplyDeleteIt came out in 2022 just after lockdown etc I think
DeletePs Fellowes' book 'Belgravia' is worth a read too.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that one. I did like Gosford Park, for which he wrote the screen play. Film Trivia - in GP, Jeremy Northam plays the composer Ivor Novello, and I am told he played the piano pieces [ie they did not have to film the hands of a stand-in pianist ]
DeleteI was going to mention Gosford Park which was very amusing as I remember. I warltched the first series of DA but then... not sure why we stopped
DeleteI came to it a little late, but I love Maggie Smith's acting!
DeleteMy daughter treated my friend and I to both Downton films and we thoroughly enjoyed them. I have since watched both again through Prime I think. They were such lovely escapist viewing-sometimes that’s just what you need. Catriona
ReplyDeleteExactly. Saturday afternoon chillin' out with tea and shortbread...
DeleteMy daughter has been to Highclere and loved it!
ReplyDeleteOne day...
DeleteWho marvelous that your happened to meet Sir Julian in in the charity shop! What are the chances of that?
ReplyDeleteI, too, completely miss DA and am resolved to see it start to finish soon.
Hugs!
it was a truly serendipitous encounter
DeleteBefore Covid we went to the Battle Proms in the grounds of Highclere Castle which was pretty impressive but have not actually visited the Castle itself although our son and DIL live very near. I went to watch the film The New Era with my sister and daughter, great film. Glad you got to watch it :-)
ReplyDeleteOh I do enjoy a good open air prom !!
DeleteIt must be over 55 years since I went to a village fete in the grounds of Highclere Castle (we lived in the next village over). I've enjoyed the Downton Abbey series, we watched Downton Abbey A New Era on DVD from our library and it did not disappoint! We sometimes see one of the actors in another production and struggle to remember where we saw them - oh yes, Downton Abbey!
ReplyDelete😊👍
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