It was glorious fun. There will be no spoilers in this review- but if you didn't like DA on TV, don't bother reading any further. "I don't know the characters, and so I don't really care about the film" said Bob. Which is OK- I slept through his new DVD of Gormenghast last weekend.
Geraldine James played the Queen- brilliantly. She always looks like she ought to be a Redgrave [The Royal Family of English theatre?], but isn't related. There are strong hints about happiness of the Harewood marriage [he was 15 years her senior] and there were certainly rumours throughout the 1920s about that.
Maud Bagshaw is an invented character - you can see her in the top picture standing on Lord Grantham's left. Imelda Staunton plays her extremely well, and she brings a good twist to the story.
He is played by Jim Carter.
OK, the plot is ridiculous but it is fun to watch. It will be on TV over Christmas before long, I am sure. The scenery, the costumes, the pomp&ceremony, the bustle of the kitchens, and the swish of the gowns....all the stuff we expect from Julian Fellowes is there.
Only two minor quibbles
- I am not sure that "conspiracy theory" and "government cover-up" were terms in general use in 1923
- A gown which does not fit is altered. I know it is a film and therefore there were two separate garments - but I am not convinced that a gown like the first could actually be altered to create one like the second. But I'm just being picky - the costumes were great, on the whole. Do take note of Hugh Bonneville's splendid calves, in his formal knee breeches at the ball!
I've never watched DA, mainly because I'm a modern day housekeeper in a large house with a posh family! I hear those plummy accents everyday!I could probably write my own book about everyday life in a Scottish baronial pile but I won't. Look what happened to Nanny Crawford when she unwittingly betrayed the Royals and after devoting her whole life to them. I love the juxtaposition of the characters in the top pic. The servant girl is rising above the rest of them. Exactly where she should be.
ReplyDeleteYes Nanny Crawford did become persona non grata didn't she! I think that a lot depends on which family servants worked for. My grandmother was treated very well in her two posts (then left to marry - she did not spend her entire life as a lady's maid)
DeleteI'm looking forward to it coming out on DVD, as I don't go to the cinema.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had such a good evening with friends and enjoyed the film. :)
ReplyDeleteOooh, I would like to see it ! I do like a bit of Downton!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a good evening - I only saw the first series of Downton so will need to catch up a bit before seeing the new film. It is hard to watch any series as we don't have a TV when we visit the cottage so my life is full of half finished programs!
ReplyDeleteJohn Carter and Imelda Staunton's daughter, Bessie Carter, was in Beecham House, "the Indian Downton" 🙂.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to this film, but think I'll wait until it hits TV so I can record it and not miss anything if I need a look break!