Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
Amazon.ca
An addictive blend of suds and social commentary, ITV's Downton Abbey brings a microcosm of Edwardian society together under one roof. Lord Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) and his family live a life of leisure, while a fleet of servants, including butler Carson (Jim Carter), attend to their every need, but two events conspire to shake things up: the sinking of the Titanic, which claims Crawley's heirs, and the return of his valet, Bates (Brendan Coyle). Since Crawley and Lady Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) have three daughters, his distant solicitor cousin, Matthew (Dan Stevens), becomes heir to the estate. With that, the scheming begins, since Thomas the footman (Rob James-Collier) views Bates as an interloper and Crawley's mother, Violet (Maggie Smith), feels the same way about Matthew's mother, Isobel (Penelope Wilton).
In the tradition of the BBC's Upstairs Downstairs and Robert Altman's Gosford Park, for which writer-creator Julian Fellowes received an Academy Award, the royals, servants, and middle-class relations struggle to get along. Sniffs uptight maid Miss O'Brien (Siobhan Finneran), "Gentlemen don't work," but that doesn't stop Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Edith Crawley (Laura Carmichael) from competing for Matthew's affections. Though it takes awhile to warm up to the tightest-wound characters, most everyone reveals their more vulnerable side before the first season comes to an end, and a new small-screen classic is born.
The entire sprawling cast is quite wonderful, particularly Bonneville, Carter, and James-Collier, who provide a fascinating study in contrasts (the latter is downright dastardly). Unlike the version that aired on PBS's Masterpiece Classic, this set offers seven parts rather than four. Extras include a featurette, in which cast and crew discuss the production, and an introduction to Hampshire's Highclere Castle, which doubles for Downton Abbey. The first season was a phenomenon in the United Kingdom, and Fellowes has promised a second season set during World War I. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Product Description
A star-studded cast (Dame Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Brendan Coyle, Dan Stevens) round out the glittering, gossipy, and beguiling men and women of this epic tale!
After a tragedy at sea claims the life of the presumed heir, Lord Crawley is faced with the possibility that the house he's loved his whole life might someday belong to a distant cousin he's never met. But before that can happen he must deal with his scandalous daughter, Lady Mary - considered by many to be the rightful heir to Downton. Even the staff has opinions on the family's affairs. And while most are devoted to the Crawleys, there are others whose selfishness and scheming do more than simply disrupt the well-oiled inner workings of the estate. As the servants' mischief escalates, even the most faithful employees begin to imagine a different life.
Pitting hundreds of years of British aristocracy against the tides of social upheaval and technical progress, under the looming shadow of World War I, will the fate of Downton and its family - above and below stairs - be resolved? Or will life be altered so dramatically that its master no longer matters?
After a tragedy at sea claims the life of the presumed heir, Lord Crawley is faced with the possibility that the house he's loved his whole life might someday belong to a distant cousin he's never met. But before that can happen he must deal with his scandalous daughter, Lady Mary - considered by many to be the rightful heir to Downton. Even the staff has opinions on the family's affairs. And while most are devoted to the Crawleys, there are others whose selfishness and scheming do more than simply disrupt the well-oiled inner workings of the estate. As the servants' mischief escalates, even the most faithful employees begin to imagine a different life.
Pitting hundreds of years of British aristocracy against the tides of social upheaval and technical progress, under the looming shadow of World War I, will the fate of Downton and its family - above and below stairs - be resolved? Or will life be altered so dramatically that its master no longer matters?
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
53 of 54 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
If you can imagine Upstairs, Downstairs meets The Buccaneers, you will pretty much have this gem from ITV. Surprisingly, not from the BBC (which is doing an update of Upstairs, Downstairs set in the 1930s) it is every bit as good as a BBC production and much prettier than the new Up/Down.
Maggie Smith will definitely get a BAFTA for this if not an Emmy. "What is a week-end?" Bwahahahah!
Season one starts with the sinking of the Titanic and ends just as war has been declared in 1914. Season two is now in the works and I hope it goes even longer.
Makes me want to go back to England to see the filming location, Highclere Castle. Deep sigh!
N.B. Just a note about the editing by PBS. The reason that the ITV episodes were longer was mostly due to commercials (2 hours worth). PBS has edited their version a little but not much was removed. In any case, this version is the original UK version, so fear not!
Maggie Smith will definitely get a BAFTA for this if not an Emmy. "What is a week-end?" Bwahahahah!
Season one starts with the sinking of the Titanic and ends just as war has been declared in 1914. Season two is now in the works and I hope it goes even longer.
Makes me want to go back to England to see the filming location, Highclere Castle. Deep sigh!
N.B. Just a note about the editing by PBS. The reason that the ITV episodes were longer was mostly due to commercials (2 hours worth). PBS has edited their version a little but not much was removed. In any case, this version is the original UK version, so fear not!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Geneviève
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
One of the best series I've seen in years. Superb cast and acting, witty dialogues, wonderful setting, gripping story. Can't wait for season two
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Avid Reader
Format:DVD
Thankfully there is a sequel to be released soon! For those of us who cannot bear to watch any of the constant stream of utter junk and "reality TV"-nonsense on the seemingly endless number of completely inconsequential TV-channels, shows like "Downton Abbey" are few and far inbetween. Yet again I have to thank the Brits for affording me the pleasure of splendid entertainment!
Want to see more reviews on this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 4,600 reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Downton Abbey: Season 1
We loved the storyline and clean living true to life content.
We liked the way the individual segments were separated but didn't like the introduction before each segment was... Read more
We liked the way the individual segments were separated but didn't like the introduction before each segment was... Read more
Published 3 days ago by Ruth Braun
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rateing of Downton Abbey season1
My initiation into the world of Downton Abbey. From the beginning I was a huge fan. Couldn't wait to see the entire series!
Published 7 days ago by Sharon Daley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!!!
Good show & all other good comments a person could say. Interesting actors & actresses, great story line, and a character or two who's on the 'love to hate' list.-----good show!!!
Published 8 days ago by Valia
5.0 out of 5 stars
Addicted to Downton Abbey
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Downton Abbey!
I saw one partial episode on the vision channel and ordered seasons 1-3 of Downton Abbey from Amazon. Read more
I saw one partial episode on the vision channel and ordered seasons 1-3 of Downton Abbey from Amazon. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Fiona McGarry-Gatzke
5.0 out of 5 stars
Downton Abbey Season 1
J'adore! Je suis une mordue de Downton Abbey. C'est une très belle série qui me fais vivre plein de belles émotions. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Suzanette
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it
This show keeps you wanting more. I would recommend this to anyone who liked Upstairs Downstairs. Now I know why it was nominated for so many Emmy's. A must see series,
Published 15 days ago by Donna-Lee Colney
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review of Downton Abbey season 1
I love the series, but the DVD would not play well in my Blu Ray player. There was a jerkiness to the movements of the characters which I did not experience when it was played in... Read more
Published 17 days ago by Garry Lees
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautiful abritish Classic
A beautiful period drama with authentic costumes and characters to fall in love with and hate, never dissapoints ans the plot gradually intensifies!
Published 22 days ago by Vinopablino
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Series
After viewing Season 1, we quickly purchased the following 2 seasons. Hope there is a 4th Downton Abbey! Highly Recommended!
Published 25 days ago by J. Dowdall
5.0 out of 5 stars
These characters will stay with you!
There are about 16 characters beautifully developed in this story about British aristocracy and the heirarchy of the class system during the time of the first World War. Read more
Published 27 days ago by Eleanor Wagner
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
