Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Downton Abbey Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 12, 2019

“Downton Abbey” premiered in 2010, with creator Julian Fellowes attempting to return some old-fashioned class conflict to television, reviving the “Upstairs, Downstairs” formula to explore the world of the elite and those hired to serve them. The ITV series was a smash, inspiring a passionate fanbase and renewing the urgency of PBS programming in America, where the show managed to become a phenomenon. For 52 episodes, Fellowes guided viewers through the ups and down of life on a grand English estate, creating memorable characters and tastefully manipulative drama, relying heavily on refined production values and the sheer charms of the ensemble, who never failed the program. Four years after the series concluded, “Downton Abbey” is back, only now the saga of the Crawley Family has turned to the big screen for a suitable return, challenging Fellowes to pack in a season’s worth of mischief, manners, and longing into 122 minutes. He’s up for the task, and while “Downton Abbey” isn’t a revelation, it remains reliable entertainment, careful to deliver what the faithful expect from the brand name.

The year is 1927, and Downton Abbey has just received word that King George (Simon Jones) and Queen Mary (Geraldine James) are stopping by for an overnight visit while on a cross-country tour. Panic hits the staff, forcing Mary (Michelle Dockery) to cut retirement short for Carson (Jim Carter), replacing butler Barrow (Rob James-Collier) while the demands of the royal staff are sorted out. Coming along with the entourage is Maud (Imelda Staunton), joined by maid Lucy (Tuppence Middleton), and while she’s a cousin to Robert (Hugh Bonneville), her choice to keep her fortune away from the Crawleys raises the ire of matriarch Violet (Maggie Smith). Realizing the royal staff has no intention of using the Downton Abbey employees, workers such as Bates (Brendan Coyle), Hughes (Phyllis Logan), Patmore (Lesley Nicol), and Anna (Joanne Froggatt) elect to stage an uprising, working the angles to reclaim glory for the estate. While plans commence for the King and Queen, Tom (Allen Leech) is put in a difficult position when his patriotism is called into question by a secretive outsider (Stephen Campbell Moore), leaving the Irishman uneasy about the important visit.

Fellowes returns to the franchise as its primary creative force, co-producing the feature and handling the screenplay (direction is provided by Michael Engler). The writer is in no hurry to make major changes to the “Downton Abbey” formula, leaving technical credits to spiff up the story for theaters, offering aristocratic events in widescreen, with more heavenly lighting to give the movie a proper glow as gorgeous interiors are explored. Fellowes doesn’t go bananas here, keeping the Crawleys at Downton Abbey, bringing a new adventure to their front door as King George and Queen Mary prepare to spend some time at the estate, creating internal chaos as the family grows concerned about household presentation, while the staff deals with organizational plans that don’t involve them, and Carson returns to maintain leadership, wounding Barrow’s pride. As with the series, Fellowes doesn’t remain anywhere for very long, winding through the halls of Downton Abbey, lacing up various subplots that propel the film from one scene to the next, making sure most of the primary characters have something to do or, when action isn’t available, they’re gifted some juicy lines.

The royal visit is a satisfying way to bring some panic to “Downton Abbey,” shaking up the norm by adding an even greater sense of regality to the story, keeping everyone on edge as the countdown to the overnight begins. While it’s hardly suspenseful, the picture has plenty of tension as Parker (Michael C. Fox) deals with jealousy when a plumber pays careful attention to Daisy (Sophie McShera), Anna starts to suspect one of the royal staff is stealing items from the household, Barrow finds ways to explore his sexuality with a careful visitor, and Edith (Laura Carmichael) fears for her future when her husband is offered a chance to work on national interests in South Africa. The most compelling subplot remains with Tom, who’s basically the lead character into “Downton Abbey,” finding his lack of loyalties to the crown questioned by a mystery man, and he works himself into the lives of two women, offering support for Princess Mary (Kate Phillips) and Lucy. Maud’s power position in the screenplay also connects as intended, with the relative’s elusiveness firing up barbed interplay between frenemies Isobel (Penelope Wilton) and Violet. Predictably, Smith runs away with the feature as the easily irritated Dowager, but there’s more to the performance than sniper-like precision with comebacks, bringing unexpected emotionality to the character as Violet prepares for a new direction in her life.

Downton Abbey Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation brings "Downton Abbey" to a more cinematic realm, preserving the feature's efforts to deepen screen textures. Fine detail is easily surveyed during the viewing experience, taking in the extravagance of the costuming and the weariness of close-ups, protecting subtle emotionality. Distances are dimensional, offering bigness that surrounds the titular estate. Colors retain their regality for upstairs life, with warmer hues for clothing and natural lighting, and greenery is exact. Downstairs embraces more of a black and white world, and delineation struggles at times to pick out the particulars of dense suits and dresses.

Downton Abbey Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 7.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't built to rattle listeners, but it does an excellent job enveloping them in the "Downton Abbey" world. Dialogue exchanges are distinct, securing accents and intensity. Scoring is powerful, with a heavy orchestral push throughout, winding through the surrounds. Celebratory moments are equally impressive, capturing sharp instrumentation and fullness. Low-end isn't taxed, but weight is felt with environmental changes and more physical conflicts. Atmospherics are quite active, detailing outdoor activity with precision, while interior bustle and group activity is appreciable, delivering a sense of circular life throughout the estate.

Downton Abbey Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Michael Engler.

• Cast Conversations (HD) are split into "Upstairs" (7:25) and "Downstairs" (9:29), gathering Laura Carmichael, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Allen Leech, Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Joanne Froggatt, Michael Fox, Phyllis Logan, Sophie McShera, Robert James- Collier, and Imelda Staunton to discuss their experiences with "Downton Abbey" fandom, reflect on the making of the movie, and compare their own personalities with the characters they portray.

• "The Royal Visit" (3:15 HD) examines "Downton Abbey" story, characters, and technical ambitions.

• "True to the Twenties" (2:15, HD) explores period authenticity.

• Deleted Scenes (5:33, HD) offer no major turns of plot, but provide numerous character bits to help flesh out the supporting cast.

• "Welcome to Downton Abbey" (2:47, HD) highlights the return to Highclere Castle for the making of the feature.

• "The Brilliance of Julian Fellowes" (2:14, HD) is a brief summary of the creator's efforts to manage story, character, and tone.

• Series Recap (10:09, HD) is a summary of the television show to help bring audiences up to speed, hosted by Jim Carter and Phyllis Logan.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

Downton Abbey Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Downton Abbey" isn't about taking creative risks. Fellowes is focused on satisfying those who've supported the show over the years, falling in love with the characters and their admittedly absurd levels of impulsiveness. It's comfy sweater cinema, but executed professionally and paced swiftly, giving the target demographic their money's worth of easily solvable problems (save your privilege complaints, this. is. Downton.), personality clashes, and elegant costuming. "Downton Abbey" has loads of charm, but those new to this world shouldn't start here, as Fellowes isn't trying to convert anyone with this first big screen continuation. It's more of a victory lap, and deserved one, with those already tuned into estate happenings sure to savor this reunion with magnificent actors and involving melodrama.