Downton Abbey: A New Era Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

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

Picturesque. Gorgeous. Resplendent. Beautiful. Perfect. Choose any glowingly positive adjective and it will describe Downton Abbey: A New Era's 1080p transfer. Little more really need be said. The picture is practically flawless save for, perhaps, the slightest bit of noise here and there, but such is hardly reason to detract from Universal's otherwise unblemished Blu-ray presentation. The picture is incredibly sharp and clear. While the companion UHD bests it for clarity (and color), the Blu-ray is certainly not in any way wanting for more definition and textural elegance. The film's beautiful production design, costumes, and ornate location elements delight with naturally complex definition at every turn, right down to the finest qualities and characteristics. Colors leap off the screen with sophisticated accuracy and realism. Lush natural greens delight outside while all of the various examples of upholstery and decorative accents inside always reveal perfect color reproduction. Black levels are without flaw, whites are beautifully crisp, and skin tones appear natural. Beyond the slight noise there are no source issues and the encode process has introduced no other flaws.

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

This Blu-ray release of Downton Abbey: A New Era contains an audio commentary track and a handful of featurettes. A DVD 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 (1080p, 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 (1080p, 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 (1080p, 4:10): A closer look at Maggie Smith and her character, Violet Crawley.
• Creating the Film...Within the Film (1080p, 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 (1080p, 2:53): Touring the vessel as seen in the film and exploring its true history.
• Spill the Tea (Time) (1080p, 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 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 Blu-ray 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 as well as a UHD which offers even better video.