Belgravia: The Next Chapter Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

Belgravia: The Next Chapter Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Justin Dekker September 13, 2024

From the creators of the iconic PBS series 'Downton Abbey' and based on Julian Fellowes's original series 'Belgravia', the miniseries 'Belgravia: The Next Chapter' makes its Blu-ray debut courtesy of Universal. Set in 1871, the series follows the wealthy Lord Frederick Trenchard (Benjamin Wainwright) and his new wife Clara Dunn (Harriet Slater) as they attempt to address their personal issues and those that impact their marriage, issues complicated by both their own choices and the people in their orbit. All eight episodes are included in this two-disc set. Neither a slipcover nor a Digital Code are included.

The modern pace of life, for most, is frantic. There are deadlines to meet, appointments to keep, bosses to satisfy, children to shuttle to school and/or activities, and countless other external distractions vying for our already limited time and attention. Internet culture has made our demands, and the demands placed upon us as things of great immediacy. We expect packages to arrive in mere days after being ordered. We expect those we need to contact to be instantly and eternally reachable due to the ubiquitousness of cell phones. And vice versa. Everything is of the now. So it's always enjoyable, though occasionally taking an episode or two of adjustment, to watch a miniseries such as Belgravia: The Next Chapter. The pace of life is demonstrably slower. "Urgent" is a word that is rarely used, and when it is, it rarely means "now". For the wealthy, the largest challenge seems to be finding ways to fend off boredom. At least for a little while.

Taking place some 25 years after the first series, Lord Frederick Trenchard (Benjamin Wainwright, Gangs of London) is a young man of considerable wealth, the heir of a vast family fortune. Upon hearing her sing, he is instantly taken with the young and beautiful Clara Dunn (Harriet Slater, Pennyworth). After a courtship lasting mere weeks, the two wed and Clara is whisked into a world beyond her experience and imaginings, a world she doesn't always navigate successfully. Somewhat emotional and impetuous, Clara's clashes with Frederick begin almost as soon as the ceremony is concluded; he has no patience for her being taken with an artist doing a quick sketch of her, and she is more than dissatisfied with the consummation of their marriage and his unwillingness to spend the night with her in her chambers. Their struggles continue from there with Frederick unwilling to share things from his childhood that haunt him and effectively toeing the line regarding gender roles of the day and preventing her from doing anything meaningful or fulfilling with her day. Looking after the house, preparing to bear children, and hosting an unceasing number of afternoon teas and dinners would seem to be her lot in life. As Clara pushes for more in her life and a greater emotional connection and understanding of her husband, the larger the gulf between them grows.

Frederick, for his part, we discover, exists under the rather significant weight of worthiness issues due to, at a minimum, an utter lack of paternal affection, and at worst, complete and unbridled resentment and animosity from his father. Though he passed some time before the first episode begins, Frederick is still very much trying to prove himself to be every bit and more of the businessman his father was. His days are spent trying to secure new business deals to expand not only the family fortune but his reputation as well. Based on his temperament and low self- esteem, his ambition to grow his fortune and thereby prove himself worthy of his heritage is not unlike the labor of Sisyphus. No matter how much he earns, no matter the size or nature of the business deal, it will never be enough. His personal rock will never reach the summit.

Belgravia: The Next Chapter is a slow-burn. The first half of the miniseries plays out at an almost glacial pace. Characters go about their daily lives, with new players gradually introduced and backstories and motivations slowly being revealed. Absent any clear antagonist, Frederick, his brother the Reverend James Trenchard (Toby Regbo The Last Kingdom), and Clara fulfill that role for themselves. Each serves as their own worst enemy. Frederick clings to an antiquated notion of marriage that doesn't gel with his new wife, and his focus on business dealings deprives her of his time and attention, stymying any ability to build a relationship with his new bride. His pursuit of money blinds him to all risks and issues both personal and professional. Reverend James undertakes actions that put his parish, his relationship with his brother, and more in danger, as well. Clara, for as much as she professes to seek marital bliss and a functional relationship that is more to her liking, proceeds down a path of increasingly poor decisions that make those goals increasingly unlikely. Some, such as walks on the heath with a friend may seem harmless enough though the implications can prove to be much more disastrous than she supposes, while others seem to be made with the sole purpose of intentionally sowing distress in the marital bed.

By the time the true villain is revealed in the second half of the miniseries, the writers have performed an admirable job of cutting the major characters off from their most obvious and reliable means of support and assistance. The foundation poured and given ample time to cure, dire events begin to play out with a significantly greater sense of urgency than was displayed in episodes one through four. New threads between characters are discovered and loyalties are tested, raising the stakes even further. The more they discover, the more Frederick, Clara, and James learn they may have unwittingly been the architects of their own undoing. Though the ultimate resolution isn't exactly to my liking, it's an entertaining journey nonetheless.

Belgravia: The Next Chapter Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

With impressive levels of detail, Belgravia: The Next Chapter's MPEG-4 AVC encoded 1080p image is typically very striking. Facial particulars such as fine lines, wrinkles, whiskers, and sideburns are all frequently available for inspection. So too are details on the various fabrics of the era. Textures of velvet, embroidery, and pinpoint specifics of eyelets and lace are all on display. Colors in this very realistic and natural palette are richly saturated with primaries like reds and blues popping nicely. Blacks are sufficiently deep but can crush detail in certain situations. Skin tones are accurate. Exterior location shots provide the best opportunity to examine the excellent depth and dimensionality of the image, and also afford a chance to appreciate the precision with which elements like cobblestone streets and leaves on trees are depicted. I did not detect any banding, blocking, or other defects.

Belgravia: The Next Chapter Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that accompanies Belgravia: The Next Chapter handles its chores quite well. Frequently immersive, the track makes excellent use of the surrounds to support the score. At other times, the surrounds are used to add ambient audio details in scenes set in parks, restaurants, and parties, with chirping birds, the tinkling of silverware on dishes, and chattering voices filling out and adding to the realism and sonic depth of the scenes. Dialogue is clearly and consistently rendered, whether it be the whisper of lovers in the bed chamber or Reverend James's echoing sermons. It is placed front and center and properly prioritized. Bass is adequate to enhance music when needed and supports the occasional sound of horses' hooves and other stray effects as well. Given the fact that Belgravia: The Next Chapter is a period drama, it isn't asked to deal with anything overly complex or ambitious and it's more than up to the task.

Belgravia: The Next Chapter Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Unfortunately, Belgravia: The Next Chapter is devoid of any supplemental material.

Belgravia: The Next Chapter Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Although having been crafted by some of the same hands as the beloved Downton Abbey, and while it may share similar themes and ideas, once it moves into its second half, it escalates and handles them very differently than they would have been seen in that esteemed series. Pacing amplifies and ruin of some form or other crouches around every corner waiting to pounce. While fans are somehow still waiting for the first installment of the Belgravia story to arrive on Blu-ray, they will no doubt be pleased with what's on display here. While absent any special features, the technical merits of the presentation are very solid. With a tense final act not even hinted at in the miniseries' seemingly lackadaisical and meandering opening episodes, Belgravia: The Next Chapter comes recommended.