Downton Abbey!

[pete9012S]

My wife and I love it too Stephen.
We recently saw the Downton film on the big screen and really enjoyed it.


Even the bloopers are first class!

[Bannerman65]

Very belated Birthday, Anita. Apologies for being remiss.

[Boatbuilder]

You weren't remiss, Bannerman, you posted here in Anita's birthday topic:

https://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/for ... 65#p372777" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Stephen]

I'm on Series 2 now and just seen the episode where William has received mortal injuries from the War, gets married to Daisy on his deathbed, and then dies.

That was a bit emotional!

[pete9012S]

Yes, very well written episodes Stephen - glad you're enjoying it.

[Anita Bensoussane]

I loved that storyline, with Daisy battling with feelings of guilt for quite some time. It was dealt with very sensitively, I thought.

[Stephen]

Well I finished the entire six series, specials, extras and documentaries from the boxset I started in the New Year. Period drama isn't really my thing and to be honest, I didn't think at the start that I'd last the duration. But it was so ridiculously addictive! Full of great, multi-faceted characters, sparkling dialogue, brilliant acting and extremely well written drama with wonderful snippets of comedy throughout.

Just the film to go now. And I think once the Lockdown is over, a visit to Highclere Castle might be in order!

[GloomyGraham]

If anyone is a fan of Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith) keep an eye out for the new Australian mini-series 'The Secrets She Keeps'.

It's nothing like Downton, being set in modern Sydney, but Laura plays the main character'Aggie' who has a LOT of secrets. Quite a good suspense-thriller.

I heard it had been bought by Netflix (US) and the BBC.

[Stephen]

Watching next to no television or new films these days, it did occur to me that I was unfamiliar with a lot of the stars of Downton Abbey, even though I'm sure they must have been in lots of things and are probably household names to many. The only regulars I recognized from other things were Carson, Anna, Barrow, Mrs Patmore, Violet and Isobel. None of the others.

Quite bad of me really because they were all very good!

[Anita Bensoussane]

If anyone is a fan of Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith) keep an eye out for the new Australian mini-series 'The Secrets She Keeps'.

Thanks, Gloomy Graham. I'd certainly like to watch the BBC broadcast of that.

[GloomyGraham]

No probs.

Just dropped back in to say to any interested folks in the US, it is on 'Sundance Now' (not Netflix).

I understand it may broadcast on BBC4.

Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, says: “The Secrets She Keeps is an emotionally-charged psychological thriller, full of surprise twists and turns

[Stephen]

I've just seen the film! Watching it so soon after binge-watching the entire television series, you do notice a slight difference in style and pace, but it was very interesting as a one off story worthy for cinema, as well as a "what happened next" portrayal of the regulars. At least they hadn't done an Only Fools and Horses and ruined a perfectly good ending with an unnecessary continuation!

[pete9012S]

I wondered what you'd make of the film Stephen.

It was great on the big screen. My wife and I went about 11am or was it early afternoon?
Anyway, there was only about five or six people in the whole cinema. We sat in those ultra comfy, super adjustable seats too - bliss!

[Anne Gracie]

Watched all the series originally as broadcast on TV. Own all the DVDs - so having re-watched the series again since. Really liked the movie, and surprisingly I didn’t see it at the cinema - ended up seeing it for the first time on DVD. Also own some hardcover books from the series. Enjoy listening to the Downton albums on Apple Music.

Favourite scenes are anything with Violet uttering her one-liners. Banter between Violet and Isobel, and Violet and Spratt. Mrs Patmore is a great character to watch and listen to as well. Most emotional scene was the proposal in the snow by Matthew with Mary. Most endearing character or most relatable perhaps.. Edith.

Didn’t go much on the assault scene and storyline with Anna, along with some of the violence e.g. car crash, vomiting blood at the table. Bit over the top and too edgy, and unnecessary (for me). However, I will readily watch anything by Julian Fellowes though, as a result of his outstanding work on this gem.

[Anita Bensoussane]

I watched the second Downton Abbey film at the cinema earlier this evening and found it very good indeed - considerably better than the first. It was lovely revisiting characters I've come to know so well over the years, and I enjoyed the period details as always. The storyline consisted of a number of interesting and emotional plot strands revolving around the past, the future, love, talents, ambitions and dreams, and I was so caught up in it all that I felt bereft when it ended (but also on a high!) Has anyone else seen it?