Downton Abbey (Movie, 2019) [DVD]

Loved the tv show and when the movie came out I had to buy it. Great movie. Came right away and well a disc is a disc. Watched it quite a few times.

Written by Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey the Movie 2019 continues the storyline from the TV series. With a budget of $20 million, it has already made $191 million at the box office. (One fantasy is to be invested in whatever this fellow Fellowes does next!) The movie begins. A letter announcing the imminent visit in 1927 of King George V and Queen Mary to Downton Abbey makes its way from London via train to the Crawley family. The train with its gleaming steam locomotive overwhelms us with the magnificence of what Trains used to be. Indeed, this whole movie recalls much of what used to be – and some that fell short of magnificence. The movie recreates much of what must have gone on in that period with a royal visit to a grand country estate like Downton. The hardworking Downstairs crew struggles in awe of the posturing superiority of the Upstairs, and the Upstairs is in awe of the Royalty that is on its way to out-posture them. In fact, the whole shire’s cup of joy is teased to overflowing with the prospect of having a gander at The King. Here, in 1927, the monarchies of all countries have been substantially humbled as a result of the Great War. What else was going on? In that same high-flying year, two years before the worldwide economic crash, Charles A. Lindbergh makes the historic first solo flight across the Atlantic. The Weimar Republic and the Soviet experiment in State Capitalism are both thriving. In America ‘The Jazz Singer’ is the first feature talkie movie, the Model A Ford first appears, CBS begins operation, Babe Ruth hits 60 home runs, the Columbine massacre strikes in Serene, Colorado, and the music of George Gershwin, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Vincent Youmans is popular. And in the middle of it all stood Downton. We go as willing hostages back to see that world when men were Men in white ties and tails, and women were their admiring second class citizens. To see those starkly straight and white times when the Nobility’s dreams of Margaret Thatcher - and their contrasting nightmares of Jeremy Corbyn and Bernie Sanders - were yet to be. It all portends the present day when Authoritarianism is once more raising its repulsive head, when Democracy is mocked by the Privileged few, as well as their adoring and not so privileged sycophants. So, there it is, our beloved Downton with all its Good and Bad on full display. Of course, at the center of it all stands Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham. She and all the others delight us with their magic as only they can. My summary: This is one beautiful and exquisitely told story of great current relevance and one that could only be told by Julian Fellowes. I felt privileged and thrilled and over-awed to be once again a very appreciative and grateful witness to that world. I think you will be, too.

The DVD arrived in good shape.

The Movie... Superb. Compelling. Witty. Authentic. And continuing to advance the character development of everyone you know and love, the movie will engage your intellect and emotions along the way and then astound you with how it miraculously wraps things up so beautifully by the closing credits. And in doing so it still leaves a few welcome possibilities dangling out there giving you hope for yet another film. The artists who brought us the series have transitioned their craft to the 120 minute time-bound film medium with aplomb, and deftly fashioned a story that's rich and uncompromising, yet crisp and cascades from sweeping vista-filled cinematic introductions to a sublime montage bringing every interwoven story-line to a satisfying close. Quite honestly this film has restored my faith in modern cinema. Yes... apparently there are screen-play writers/directors/cinematographers/editors/actors who coalesce in perfect unison... like a fine orchestra... and can still make good movies. Really, really, good movies. Bravo. The Blu-ray... A Flawless 1080p image delivers striking noise-free black levels, perfect color, and an astonishing amount of fine detail (as viewed on my 100 inch projection system). The only improvement I can imagine might result from a 4K UHD release (lamentable that such a release wasn't simultaneous with the blu-ray). The lossless audio is flawless as well. A perfect presentation of a masterwork of film.

If you like the TV series, you will almost surely enjoy watching the further adventures of the family and staff.

GOOD

This movie won’t cause much Oscar buzz, except for costumes, but it was an entertaining film nonetheless. The dramatic arc isn’t as intense as some of the stories from the series, but there isn’t time to build anything too big for any one character, and with such a large cast it would’ve taken focus from the ensemble. The film feels like a more elaborate Christmas special episode. The costumes are gorgeous and look more extravagant. The entire film is bathed in a warm light that brings a feeling of security to the story. The cast works well together and slips back into their characters easily. It’s an enjoyable two hours and this disc should be added to any fans collection. I have taken one star off for THAT KISS! Like so many other viewers, I was appalled at the explicitness of that kiss. Clearly the producers are pushing a sexual agenda. To have two people kiss like that in an area where they could so easily be discovered. Ridiculous! I can’t believe they would allow Tom Branson and Lucy Smith to do something like that! And then we get sexual behavior shoved even further down our throats when Edith and her husband tell people that she’s pregnant. We all know that “we’re expecting a baby” is just deviant code for telling the world that the man thrust himself repeatedly into the woman until he successfully ejaculated. DISGUSTING! And for a PG film? Think of the children being exposed to such behavior. They’ll immediately want to try it. And where will that lead?

Buen final en película, el producto (pese a las fechas y ser importado) llegó en menos de una semana. BD y DVD hablados y subtitulados en español latino, inglés y francés. La copia digital, evidentemente, no funciona en nuestro país. Protegido en sobre-burbuja.

Le roi est en visite ...

This is not full blown 4K it is defo an enhanced standard BluRay. Also it froze at chapter 18, which a full restart into chapter 19 'cured' - which of course meant that I did not view the entire film. Not good.

hi it’s ordered the wrong thing in error

5 estrellas porque soy fan jeje