The Manners of Downton Abbey Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

The Manners of Downton Abbey Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 1, 2015

Alistair Bruce is the person the producers of “Downton Abbey” turn to when they require an expert in all things Edwardian England. His nickname is “The Oracle,” maintaining tight control of period authenticity and continuity on-set, making him a creative leader in a way, helping out the cast when they lose sight of the details. “The Manners of Downton Abbey” is a program devoted to the work put into onscreen wealth and manners, dissecting the labor required to make labor looks effortless. Hosted by Bruce, “The Manners of Downton Abbey” is best appreciated as a tool for tourists unable to make their way to the location of the series, with the host winding through the house, stopping in major sections to share a behind-the-scenes look at the show and its mission of authenticity.

Brown is a fine guide through the world of “Downton Abbey,” but there’s help, with actors such as Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Hugh Bonneville, and Lily James adding some perspective on the show’s historical aim through lively interviews. It’s not easy keeping period, with inclinations toward slouching breaking the illusion for Brown, who keeps a tight ship during the shoot, always dropping in on the actors to help with realism and answer nagging questions. Part of the fun of “The Manners of Downton Abbey” is a chance to see the production in motion, with scene construction always fascinating to watch, while Brown adds his own commentary to explain the labor.

The Manners of Downton Abbey Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is slightly complicated by repeated use of "Downton Abbey" clips, which detail previous lackluster BD releases. New interviews are bright and inviting, with terrific facial detail and dimensional distances, gifting superfans a different perspective on famous estate. Colors are inviting and skintones are accurate. Crush is present in the old clips, while banding is significant during some of the interview segments.

The Manners of Downton Abbey Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is an uncomplicated listening experience that mostly juggles two layers of elements: interviews and score. Conversations with the talent emerge clean and precise, isolating playfulness and informational concentration. Scoring is bouncy and pronounced, adding some depth to the documentary, making good use of famous "Downton Abbey" cues. No distortion was detected.

The Manners of Downton Abbey Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "How to Make a Dress" (2:52, HD) discusses care with costuming, which is usually made up of authentic dresses that require special attention to maintain. Dockery returns to discuss a special dress she managed from an earlier season.

The Manners of Downton Abbey Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

To help with clarity, "The Manners of Downton Abbey" is divided up into chapters (including "How to Marry" and "How to Make Money"), breaking down the overview into intimate areas of friendship and historical struggle, sharing information about country-specific expectations during the show's time periods. Plenty of clips are shared between sections of insight, padding the program when Brown runs out of examples. Some tours are more interesting than others, but I doubt admirers of the show are going to mind. "The Manners of Downton Abbey" is, at its core, a promotional piece working to drum up excitement for the upcoming season. However, it's a convincing snapshot of life on the set, with the devoted receiving a close-up look at daily business and a greater appreciation for the actors and their merry personalities.