Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Downton Abbey: A New Era 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman July 7, 2022

The cultural phenomenon that is Downton Abbey needs to introduction. Fans have been devouring what has become a de facto banner for the period drama for years now, exploring the upstairs and downstairs world of aristocratic life in early 1900s Yorkshire. Newcomers will be pleased to discover that the entire TV series and the first feature film are available to own physically. Longtime fans have well-loved these releases already, and it is to them that this film is primarily aimed. While relative newcomers can enjoy the externalities well enough, it is for the fans who have brought the franchise this far that this film will prove most rewarding.

The much-anticipated cinematic return of 'Downton Abbey' follows the Crawleys and their staff as they welcome a movie crew and their glamorous stars to Downton for the filming of a new silent movie, while other members of the family go on a grand adventure to a villa in the south of France to uncover a mystery about the Dowager Countess and her past. With a screenplay by Julian Fellows and starring the original cast alongside new additions, 'Downton Abbey: A New Era' is packed full of exuberant moments, excitement and humor, tears of joy and sadness and new beginnings for all your favorite characters.

This film makes for an effortless and agreeable entry into the Downton legacy, presenting not simply new story content but also additional character depth and narrative expansion that both advances the larger world arc and intimate character qualities and delights with the general ebb and flow of the story beats that are particular to this film. So, the film works in both manners in which it must, both as a larger companion to the full story and as a standalone experience with its own story proclivities and devices. Director Simon Curtis brings balance to the film's multipurpose characteristics, and he, of course, holds tight to the sophisticated elegance and agreeable mannerisms that make this Downton through and through yet also its own unique experience within the larger universe.

Of course, and unsurprisingly, all of the externals are in good working order. The film looks resplendent, as the audience would expect, with nary a hiccup in the translation from screen to film, or from the previous film to this one. The costumes, sets, everything was just made to be photographed, and Cinematographer Andrew Dunn, who is working on Downton Abbey for the first time but who has also worked on feature films like L.A. Story and The Butler, never fails to reveal the splendor and majesty of all things Downton Abbey on every shot. The cast is superb, both returning members who are long comfortable with their parts and newcomers (including Laura Haddock as movie star Myrna Dalgleish) who bring their own individual flair to the collective experience.

Downton Abbey: A New Era 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.

Universal brings Downton Abbey: A New Era to the UHD format with a resplendent 2160p/Doby Vision UHD presentation which offers the usual flurry of video upgrades over the companion 1080p/SDR Blu-ray. The resolution gains are tangible and obvious, delivering a hearty gain to clarity and fine object intricacy. The picture is notably cleaner, crisper, sharper, and more abundantly clear and lifelike. While not a monumental gain, the improvements are obvious and necessary, allowing for what is hands-down the superior of the two formats. Viewers will note plainly obvious adds to complexity of faces and location elements, both of which have a multitude of ultra high definition goodness to offer. But it is perhaps that general sense of boosted clarity that is this image's greatest asset in bringing life to the gorgeous scenery. The Dolby Vision color upgrades add vibrance and depth alike, boosting natural greens, interior decoration colors and clothing with newfound pop and substantial improvements to accuracy and nuance. Whites are far crisper here, blacks far deeper and more realistic without crushing interior detailing. Skin tones are beautiful. Noise management is improved here and well, and like the Blu-ray there are no other source or encode maladies to report. Striking!

Downton Abbey: A New Era 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is sophisticated and satisfying. This is Downton Abbey, so there are no significant action-type audio elements, no dominant bass or frenzied surround content or frequently discrete overhead support to report. However, the Atmos configuration offers a gently, and realistically, immersive audio posture, folding in light atmosphere to every inch of the stage for a completely satisfying dose of location realism. Musical elements are wonderful for clarity and spacing alike, yielding naturally enveloping surround content in support of the dominant front ends and just the right amount of subwoofer usage to bring accurate depth to the proceedings. Dialogue is the main sonic element here, and it is presents with natural front center placement, lifelike clarity, and faultless prioritization.

Downton Abbey: A New Era 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This UHD release of Downton Abbey: A New Era contains an audio commentary track and a handful of featurettes. A Blu-ray copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.

• Good to Be Back (2160p/Dolby Vision 3:38): A brief fluff piece featuring everyone talking up, yes, the joy of being back together and on set, intercut with brief film clips and a little set tour in the middle.
• Return to Downton Abbey: The Making of a New Era (2160p/Dolby Vision, 11:37): Exploring the opening wedding sequence, Director Simon Curtis' work on the film and presence on the set, the filmmaking plot within the film, cuisine and dining scenes, costumes, new and returning cast, and more.
• A Legendary Character (2160p/Dolby Vision, 4:10): A closer look at Maggie Smith and her character, Violet Crawley.
• Creating the Film...Within the Film (2160p/Dolby Vision, 9:26): A fascinating piece that explores not only the dramatic currents in the film centered on the making of the film within the film, but also the vintage equipment seen in the film, the complex choreography, the importance of sound and dialogue in that era of filmmaking, costumes, and more.
• Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia (2160p/Dolby Vision, 2:53): Touring the vessel as seen in the film and exploring its true history.
• Spill the Tea (Time) (2160p/Dolby Vision, 2:23): Laura Carmichael and Allen Leech chat about the series over tea.
• Audio Commentary: Director Simon Curtis explores the film.

Downton Abbey: A New Era 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This Downton Abbey film may be labeled as "a new era," but it is also a very comfortable fit into the preestablished old guard routine that has made the franchise so successful. All of the character qualities, set decorations, dramatic currents, and all of the other agreeable characteristics are all here, as expected, while the film forges its own story and world advancement elements to make it work as both standalone entry (albeit one that will reward fans much more than newcomers) and as part of the larger arcing Downton franchise. Universal's UHD is, unsurprisingly a delight, offering top quality video and audio presentations along with a good selection of bonus content. Recommended, and be sure to note that there is also a Blu-ray limited edition gift set available as well.