Downton Abbey: The Movie (2019)

[Spunkygal]

@zillabreeze, I am proudly a burger ho, too, and Haystack is very good and locally owned, which I love. They are planning to open a second location at Mockingbird and Abrams. Also extremely awesome is Shady’s which is also locally owned. OMG. Don’t eat for 3 days before you go. They even have adult milkshakes and live music on Thursdays. https://shadysburgers.com/index.html#

Back to the movie so I don’t get my hand slapped by the mods, I am looking forward to all the costume porn, to seeing if Mary’s baby #2 is here and if Carson is on Viagra. Oh, and which Bates will be arrested next without any concrete evidence! 

Edited September 14, 2019 by Spunkygal

[Quilt Fairy]

12 hours ago, msrachelj said:

If I knew this would come to PBS, I'd wait.

I think you might wait a long time before it comes to PBS.  I don't know of any movie that doesn't come to cable 3-6 months after it's in theatres, but HBO, Showtime, Starz, etc., pay big money for the rights to show them.  I doubt PBS would be able to compete.   The fact that we sympathetically feel PBS has a "right" to show it amounts to nothing. 

[Hiyo]

Quote

Who the hell doesn't want to see Highclere Castle on a big screen??  The costumes? The flowers? The castle? On big screen?

Exactly. I see this as an extra Special episode, but with more lavish production values, and on the big screen. Why not enjoy it for what it is...

[zillabreeze]

23 hours ago, msrachelj said:

We just got some of those recliners here so I'm going to do a matinee (do they cost less?)  and hope the theater it's in has the new seats.  Bring my own water but buy a large popcorn!

I can't even imagine the horror of having to sit up straight in movie anymore, lol.

Not sure if it's the same in a small town, but I never pay more than $7 for a film.  All day during the week, super bargains on Tuesday, first showing Sat & Sun.

Report back with your recliner review!

[zillabreeze]

20 hours ago, Spunkygal said:

Oh, and which Bates will be arrested next without any concrete evidence!

I got kinda bored with the Bates' legal woes.

Maybe an un-pop opinion, but I hope Barrow finds love.  His character evolved nicely over the series.

[KLovestoShop]

I can’t wait for the hair, dress and jewelry porn.  I also would love to see everyone bow and curtsy to Lady Edith.

I don’t think PBS would get a chance to show the movie.  The rights would be purchased by the likes of HBO, Showtime or one of those networks.  Besides, I wouldn’t  want PBS to get it because they’d butcher it with too many fundraising breaks.  Our PBS station is the worst of any city I’ve ever lived.  Their evening programming is nothing more than infomercials.  The only time I watch it is on Sundays when the programs are good.  

[TheView]

I wish they had gone the parody route and poke fun at the elements of the TV show, like they did with The Brady Bunch Movie and the original plans for the Scooby Doo 2002 film. 

[PWHCHCH]

3 hours ago, TheView said:

I wish they had gone the parody route and poke fun at the elements of the TV show, like they did with The Brady Bunch Movie and the original plans for the Scooby Doo 2002 film. 

maybe this will help

[TheView]

39 minutes ago, GSManiac said:

maybe this will help

I don’t really count this. 

[Bridget]

FYI:

There is a brand new Downton Abbey TV special on tonight (Thursday, 9/19). It’ll be on NBC from 8-9pm and is called “Return to Downton Abbey.” 

[Quilt Fairy]

4 hours ago, Bridget said:

FYI:

There is a brand new Downton Abbey TV special on tonight (Thursday, 9/19). It’ll be on NBC from 8-9pm and is called “Return to Downton Abbey.” 

Thanks for the heads up!  It's 7pm central BTW, and I would have totally missed it if you hadn't mentioned it.  I wonder what the NBC connection is? 

[helenamonster]

Just now, Quilt Fairy said:

Thanks for the heads up!  It's 7pm central BTW, and I would have totally missed it if you hadn't mentioned it.  I wonder what the NBC connection is? 

The movie was produced by Carnival Films and distributed by Focus Features, both of which are owned by NBC Universal.

[Quilt Fairy]

7 minutes ago, helenamonster said:

The movie was produced by Carnival Films and distributed by Focus Features, both of which are owned by NBC Universal.

It's tooo bad they couldn't do a tie-in on American Ninja Warrior like they do for big summer movies.  Although I wonder what a Downton Abbey obstacle would be. 🤨

[GrannySmith]

I just got home from the movie and felt like I spent two hours with old friends. I’ll probably go see it again. 

[KLovestoShop]

The NBC special wore on my nerves because of that idiot Derek Hough.  Why in heaven’s name was he selected as narrator?  His voice is not narrator worthy, and his sticking in silly little dance steps was tiresome.  

It should have been hosted by one or more of the cast, not this dancer. 

[Hiyo]

Quote

Although I wonder what a Downton Abbey obstacle would be. 

Avoid car crashes, avoid getting arrested for crimes you may or may not have committed, avoid squandering the family fortune...

[AZChristian]

9 hours ago, KLovestoShop said:

The NBC special wore on my nerves because of that idiot Derek Hough.  Why in heaven’s name was he selected as narrator?  His voice is not narrator worthy, and his sticking in silly little dance steps was tiresome.  

It should have been hosted by one or more of the cast, not this dancer. 

Derek trained in England, so maybe the powers that be thought it gave him something in common.  I agree, though.  No way should HE have been hosting the show.  They should have renamed it:  "Derek Does Downton."  Then I'd have known to skip it.

7 hours ago, Hiyo said:

Avoid car crashes, avoid getting arrested for crimes you may or may not have committed, avoid squandering the family fortune...

Carry dead bodies down corridors?

[Brookside]

14 hours ago, Hiyo said:

Avoid car crashes, avoid getting arrested for crimes you may or may not have committed, avoid squandering the family fortune...

Avoid being the second of three daughters.

[chitowngirl]

Just got back-Loved it!! Highclere in all its glory on the big screen!! Costumes! Jewels! At the Ball, I recognized Queen Mary’s jewels and the Tiara that Princess Mary was wearing. 

My husband, who never watched Downton Abbey, was the one who suggested we go see it. He had no problem following who was who and what was what.

[Lonesome Rhodes]

This is one of the rare movies where experiencing it in a theater is a MUST.

Gor-jus.

[Quilt Fairy]

Derek Hough ruined that special.  What were they thinking, filming him breaking into dance all over the building and grounds?  It was ridiculous.  PBS would have done it much better, even with breaks for fund-raising. 

Unfortunately, I have to wait 2 weeks to see the movie.  I'm visiting a friend in Virginia soon and we're planning on going together.  (Although it was very tempting to go to an evening show last night, which was my birthday.) 

[helenamonster]

12 hours ago, Quilt Fairy said:

Unfortunately, I have to wait 2 weeks to see the movie.  I'm visiting a friend in Virginia soon and we're planning on going together.  (Although it was very tempting to go to an evening show last night, which was my birthday.) 

Yep, I'm waiting too. My mom and I watched the show together so we couldn't imagine not seeing the movie together. She's coming up to visit me in a couple weeks, we're gonna go to one of those AMCs with recliner seats and a bar and just enjoy ourselves.

I wasn't completely convinced this show needed a movie, but with all the good reviews it's getting from critics and fans, I'm actually kind of excited. There are definitely a lot worse ways to spend two hours.

[lurkerbee]

14 minutes ago, helenamonster said:

Yep, I'm waiting too. My mom and I watched the show together so we couldn't imagine not seeing the movie together. She's coming up to visit me in a couple weeks, we're gonna go to one of those AMCs with recliner seats and a bar and just enjoy ourselves.

I wasn't completely convinced this show needed a movie, but with all the good reviews it's getting from critics and fans, I'm actually kind of excited. There are definitely a lot worse ways to spend two hours.

I wasn’t convinced either, but then I saw that first teaser trailer and started counting the days! Two hours to go until showtime. I’ve missed the Crawleys.

I’ll be visiting a friend next weekend who is also a DA fan so am hoping to see it again on that trip.

[In Real Life]

Saw the film 2 hours ago, and loved it!  Also loved the music, as always.  And I love this forum--I just found you all!  I created a musical video tribute to the TV show and the movie, bringing the music of Downton Abbey to life as Lady Mary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeICN3Dvt6U. I'm not trying to spam here, just wanting to share what is hopefully very relevant content with the group.  Mods-apologies if I misunderstood the rules...I'm new here! 🙂

Anyway, hope you enjoy the movie--as a poster above said, who doesn't want to see Highclere on the big screen?  And she looks divine, darling, simply divine. 🙂

[AZChristian]

To put it politely, we have had a week from hell starting last Sunday when we discovered my brother's dead body in his apartment, where we had gone to check on him because he had not been answering his phone.  They estimate he had been dead for about 3 days.  In Phoenix.  With the a/c turned off in his apartment.  He was almost a hoarder, and guess who his only relative in town is.  That would be me - the one with the integrity to believe that cleaning up his hoard should be done by family, not by the landlord.

Okay, sorry to burden you all with that.

I say that to say this.  We are 95% of the way through the process, and we WILL be taking tomorrow off.  I WILL see Downton Abbey, where life is 180 degrees from what we've been going through this week.

I have never earned anything so much in my life as I have earned this movie!!!!

[Crs97]

Oh, AZChristian, I am so sorry for your loss and wish you well in the coming days.  I hope the movie brings you some respite and comfort.

Husband and I just saw it and thoroughly enjoyed it!  It was like seeing old friends, and they didn’t disappoint.  From the opening musical notes to the credits rolling I was entranced.  Lots of wonderful moments.  The characters stay true to form, which is eye-rolling at times, but I wouldn’t want them any other way.

[Angeleyes]

On 9/14/2019 at 8:08 AM, Spunkygal said:

Weekend mornings are also cheap. We are going to the early showing on Sunday, the 22nd, at Alamo Drafthouse Richardson for only $6.50! Definitely worth it to see it on the big screen! Then going next door to Haystack for one of the world’s best burgers. 

We saw it at that theater this afternoon. They have a really funny recap of all the seasons right before the movie starts. 

[Angeleyes]

On 9/13/2019 at 9:17 AM, TV Diva Queen said:

Saw it last night and loved it!!!  there is a 10 minute series re-cap done my Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes, everyone whether they saw the series or not will be able to enjoy the movie.  

ETA:  They gave out the cutest ever mini snowglobes.  A gold Abbey with gold glitter.  It's my most prized possession.  

At my theater the recap was done by a voiceover of a girl trying to sound part hipster/part valley girl. It was really funny. I bet the Carson and Hughes version was good too though. 

[lurkerbee]

11 hours ago, Angeleyes said:

We saw it at that theater this afternoon. They have a really funny recap of all the seasons right before the movie starts. 

We didn't get that at our theater.

The movie was pretty much what I expected and I couldn't be happier about that. 

Spoiler

The scene near the end between Mary and Violet had me in tears. Highlight of the film for me.

As skeptical as I was when the movie was first announced, I'm now hoping for a sequel!

Edited September 22, 2019 by lurkerbee
Sunday morning typos

[SnarkEnthusiast]

The most shocking part of the movie was Thomas getting a reciprocated love interest! Tom is my favorite character by far, even if his assassination foiling plot was incredibly corny. I'm glad he gets to be happy with Lucy - although I always felt there was a strong chemistry between him and Mary, actually, but they wouldn't go there because of Sybil. Or maybe this show has just conditioned me to anticipate a romantic subplot every time a man and woman have a scene together. With all the emphasis on couples, I'm a little disappointed that they wasted a subplot on Daisy's pathetic fiance/relationship instead of throwing poor, lonely Mrs. Patmore a bone! (...literally) Edith continues to be the character equivalent of watching paint dry.

I get that Maggie Smith is apparently tired of the franchise (although it's not totally unrealistic for Violet to live past 90! Assuming in 1912 she was, say, early 70s), but it won't be the same without her quips.

[Spunkygal]

16 hours ago, Angeleyes said:

We saw it at that theater this afternoon. They have a really funny recap of all the seasons right before the movie starts. 

Yes, that was so brilliant!

[raven]

14 minutes ago, Spunkygal said:

Yes, that was so brilliant!

I didn't get that.  Dammit.

Anyway, I saw it yesterday and enjoyed it.   I stopped watching the series regularly but did catch the end of series eps so know where everyone ended up. 

The movie isn't breaking new ground, but the house and costume porn is tremendous - Mary's ball dress, the black and silver number - is gorgeous! and the characters do what they do.

Even if not realistic (hey, it's Downton Abbey, lol) I liked the DA staff revolt against the royal staff; it was fun.   I smiled when Carson walked up to the manor after Mary asked him to come back.

I'm here for as long as Isobel and Violet share scenes and sniping.  Add in Professor Umbridge  oops Lady Bagshaw and off we go!  I figured that her maid was actually her daughter early on. 

I agree that the end scene with Violet and Mary was really well done.  Mary can definitely be the scary old granny. 

Daisy bugs.  Her fiance is boring but he shows "passion" by attacking the boiler (which would only bring back the hot repairman)?  The whole storyline was dumb.  I can forgive the movie that though. 

It was nice to see Barrow loosen up before being arrested; he showed real joy when he saw the club and said he didn't know such places existed.  For a fluffy movie, that was handled well, though I did worry about the guys left in jail. 

[Spunkygal]

17 hours ago, Angeleyes said:

At my theater the recap was done by a voiceover of a girl trying to sound part hipster/part valley girl. It was really funny. I bet the Carson and Hughes version was good too though. 

41 minutes ago, Spunkygal said:

Yes, that was so brilliant!

Quoting myself to add that I have searched unsuccessfully to find it online to share with those of you who didn’t have it in your theaters. If anyone finds it, please post a link. It is so funny.

[Crs97]

I missed Mr. Mason, too.

I was a little underwhelmed by the fashions until Mary’s silver and black ballgown.  That might be my favorite thing ever.  Paired with her black and silver tiara, it was the look of the night.

Oh, and no recap for us either. 😢

Edited September 22, 2019 by Crs97

[TheView]

33 minutes ago, raven said:

I didn't get that.  Dammit.

Anyway, I saw it yesterday and enjoyed it.   I stopped watching the series regularly but did catch the end of series eps so know where everyone ended up. 

The movie isn't breaking new ground, but the house and costume porn is tremendous - Mary's ball dress, the black and silver number - is gorgeous! and the characters do what they do.

Even if not realistic (hey, it's Downton Abbey, lol) I liked the DA staff revolt against the royal staff; it was fun.   I smiled when Carson walked up to the manor after Mary asked him to come back.

I'm here for as long as Isobel and Violet share scenes and sniping.  Add in Professor Umbridge  oops Lady Bagshaw and off we go!  I figured that her maid was actually her daughter early on. 

I agree that the end scene with Violet and Mary was really well done.  Mary can definitely be the scary old granny. 

Daisy bugs.  Her fiance is boring but he shows "passion" by attacking the boiler (which would only bring back the hot repairman)?  The whole storyline was dumb.  I can forgive the movie that though. 

It was nice to see Barrow loosen up before being arrested; he showed real joy when he saw the club and said he didn't know such places existed.  For a fluffy movie, that was handled well, though I did worry about the guys left in jail. 

They should've had Daisy's fiancé meet a grisly end with the boiler. 

[Hiyo]

Quote

though I did worry about the guys left in jail.

This being the UK in the 1930s, it would be right to worry about them...

Quote

They should've had Daisy's fiancé meet a grisly end with the boiler. 

And Daisy with him as well.

[AZChristian]

The 2 hours we spent watching the movie were like a 2-week vacation for me. I needed it. Loved every minute. Laughed, cried, and sobbed. 

[Spunkygal]

2 hours ago, TheView said:

They should've had Daisy's fiancé meet a grisly end with the boiler. 

I could have done without the Daisy/Andy/hunky plumber side story and wish we could have gotten a peek of Spratt and Denka instead. I missed them and wanted to see if Spratt is still the early version of Dear Abby. I also missed Mr. Mason. Oh well, I guess they can’t bring back everyone! Mary and Violet made me tear up at the end. 

[TheView]

33 minutes ago, Spunkygal said:

I could have done without the Daisy/Andy/hunky plumber side story and wish we could have gotten a peek of Spratt and Denka instead. I missed them and wanted to see if Spratt is still the early version of Dear Abby. I also missed Mr. Mason. Oh well, I guess they can’t bring back everyone! Mary and Violet made me tear up at the end. 

Daisy and Andy Pandy could've been excised from the film entirely. 

Edited September 22, 2019 by TheView

[Angeleyes]

7 hours ago, Spunkygal said:

Quoting myself to add that I have searched unsuccessfully to find it online to share with those of you who didn’t have it in your theaters. If anyone finds it, please post a link. It is so funny.

Found it!

Downton Abbey recap

[Spunkygal]

26 minutes ago, Angeleyes said:

Found it!

Downton Abbey recap

Well done, @Angeleyes! 

[AZChristian]

14 hours ago, Pegasaurus said:

In preparation for seeing the movie, I decided to watch the TV series (for the first time) starting from the very beginning.  I just love it!  Currently on Season 3 and my opinion of Lord Grantham is that he's a dolt.  Living in a dream world most of the time.  Lady Grantham has her clear-headed moments but they're rare.  But what good stories and the fashions! Can't wait to see the movie!

True.  But he's a nice dolt.  As you go through all the series, though, you may find that Lady Grantham has only one facial expression, regardless of whether she's happy, sad, or angry.  I think it is referred to as a "simper."  I once had a calendar with a different Downton Abbey picture every month.  When it was Cora and Robert, I put a post-it over her face so I wouldn't have to see it all month.

[vadare]

Saw it last night and loved it. Some observations (and I'm spoilerizing everything just to be safe):
 

Spoiler

1. Loved the continuity of the opening of the movie having us follow the path of a letter from Buckingham Palace to Downton Abbey. This mirrored the opening of the first episode having us follow the telegram telling of Lord Crawley's cousin's death on the Titanic from the telegram office to the Abbey.

2. As much as I love Daisy, that whole Andy & the Repairman storyline was a waste. But I loved how Daisy took over the ordering from the grocer in order to save his feelings. (BTW, loved seeing Mark Addy; he has been a favorite ever since The Full Monty.)

3. Mrs. Patmore didn't get enough screen time for my liking.

4. Loved the Dowager's defense of, of all people, Machiavelli. That's it Lady Violet, own every inch of your privilege. And the quips between she and Lady Isobel are always a treat.

5. Can we all just agree that Anna is the smartest person in the entire household, both upstairs and down?

6. And did anyone else notice that Lady Edith has gone from "What about my dress?" when a footman passes out and spills sauce all over her to getting a dress delivered that doesn't fit her and being all, "Oh well, I'll have to wear something else." (And BTW, that chick would have to be some sort of seamstress to get that gown to fit; it was so big she would have been better off starting from scratch.)

7. I was disappointed that Lady Edith wasn't still involved with the newspaper, but was happy to see she and Lady Mary have come to some sort of truce.

8. No Bates and Anna drama. Good! They had more than enough in the series.

9. I saw the movie with two male friends of mine who happen to be gay, so watching the raid on the gay bar was more than slightly uncomfortable. When Tom says the line about "will they ever see things our way?" one of them did his hands like weighing balances. Yeah, that's about right.

10.  Branson's trajectory throughout this show and into this movie reminds me of the one episode of Pinky and the Brain where they didn't try to take over the world--and almost succeeded in doing so. If he and Lucy end up together, this self-avowed Irish republican/socialist is going to end up a de facto Lord of an English Manor--and all without trying.

Which brings me to the biggest problem I have with this movie:

10. How is it that the very first season of the show was all about the absolute need for the Crawleys to find a male heir, but Lady Bagshaw is planning on leaving everything she has to someone everyone thinks is her maid? Even if they all find out Lucy's actually her daughter, Lucy still isn't a male heir. Is it just me, or is that a plot line you can drive a Mack Truck through?

All in all, the movie was delightful. It was like visiting old friends. And every time I turned around there was another hat or coat or gown I wanted.

[Good Queen Jane]

Spoiler

Spoiler

Because the Grantham estate is entailed, meaning it can only be inherited by a male descendant, while Lady Bagshaw's estate is not  (as shown by her owning it) and therefore she can leave it to anyone she wants.

Edited September 23, 2019 by Good Queen Jane

[ajsnaves]

Spoiler

Robert’s estate is entailed to go to who ever inherits his title.  They looked into breaking the entail to allow the estate to go to Mary, but it was impossible.  Umbridge’s estate does not have such an entail.  And Lucy would not inherit any title with it.  Just the money and property

[Crs97]

3 hours ago, vadare said:

5. Can we all just agree that Anna is the smartest person in the entire household, both upstairs and down?

I did tell husband that it seemed appropriate for Anna to be

Spoiler

Nancy Drew, but at least this time it had nothing to do with her immediate family.  Glad to see she is still using all those skills she learned saving Mr. Bates!

[raven]

21 hours ago, Angeleyes said:

Found it!

Downton Abbey recap

That was great, thanks!  I had to laugh when Lavinia dies.  I didn't realize Isis died :((  though it makes sense.

Dog butt!

[TheView]

12 minutes ago, raven said:

That was great, thanks!  I had to laugh when Lavinia dies.  I didn't realize Isis died :((  though it makes sense.

Dog butt!

Is this actually from the movie recap? 

[Angeleyes]

29 minutes ago, TheView said:

Is this actually from the movie recap? 

Yes, this is the recap that was shown at Alamo Drafthouse theaters to recap all the seasons right before the movie was shown. 

Edited September 24, 2019 by Angeleyes

[Crs97]

I have to say that I enjoyed watching that at home, but I am happy it wasn’t showing in my theatre.  I would not have appreciated its snark then.