Downton Abbey - Series 1

Downton Abbey Series I confirms that there is nothing that comes close to a British made Period drama, especially this one and 'Cranford'and 'Lard Rise to Candleford'. In fact, in spite of the fact that Downton Abbey took the Emmy Award for 2011, i personally thought that the latter two were the better films and this is due to the fact that the plot in Downton Abbey sometimes stretches the line of credibility. Having said the above, this sumptious costume drama set in England in the years leading up to the First World War about the complicated community of Downton Abbey makes rivetting television viewing. It is about the lives of the Crawley family that have owned Downton Abbey for generations and the lives of the servants of this prestigious family. I will not elaborate on the plot, other than to say the servants know the secrets of the family while the family know so few of theirs. The acting from the whole cast is impeccable and while Maggie Smith has been singled out, they all give magnificent performances. Needless to say the cinemtography is outstanding and the attention to detail brilliant. Just one small thing in the opening to the film, the camera follows telephone lines, multiple ones, that would not have been in place at that time(I'm being picky!!!). An excellent TV series worthy of place in your film collection.

I hate ironing but I got through a backlog of ironing without noticing! This is a very entertaining and gripping story, wonderfully acted and the settings and sumptuous costumes are a pleasure to the eye. The only downside is the format of the video which presents each episode as a separate section and I would have thought that it would be an easy matter to stream all the episodes into one continuous viewing. At the end of each episode you have to select the next which can be a bit confusing. There are 3 discs. That aside it is a wonderful rainy winter's afternoon's entertainment not to be missed and I cannot wait for series 2 due out in September! You will relish the exchanges between Maggie Smith (who has always been a wonderful actress - I don't understand why she has not been made a Dame yes) and Elizabeth McGovern, full of propriety, pinched acidity but eventually tolerating each other in agreement. The entire cast provides superb acting and the narrative is rich in information, plots and subplots, understairs politics, greed and redemption. You can see the passing of a century and people's lives changing over time. What makes this better than Uptstairs Downstairs is the cast and the superb acting. Not to be missed. You will enjoy every minute of it.

I've always been a fan of period dramas, so I certainly wasn't expecting to dislike this. However, I certainly wasn't expecting it to be this good either! Right from the first episode I was hooked! The writing and acting are so spot on that you immediately feel like you've known these characters all your life! You really root for the good guys, hate the bad guys and care about what happens to everyone. They certainly find their way to your hearts - all 15+ of them! There's lots of little stories going on, as well as the few big ones like the entail, so there's certainly a lot happening - both above and below stairs. The way they weave in the ideas of what is to come is great - you really get a sense that the clouds are gathering overhead. There are some nice love stories, some excellent comedy moments and plenty of "fish out of water" scenes when the Crawley's first arrive. There's so many scenes that you just want to watch again and again - and every time you do you learn something new or get a deeper understanding of what's happening. It's beautifully shot too - the scenery, setting and costumes are gorgeous to look at and helps draw you into the world that is Downton Abbey. There's so many nice touches everywhere that the world really does feel so very real. In summary, whether you like period dramas or not, I highly recommend checking this out - there's a very good reason it's become a smash hit. A word of warning though, once you start watching, it's hard to stop! (Even if it's the third of fourth time you've watched it!)

Two telegrams, both with devastating news: the loss of the Titanic; the outbreak of war. In between, over six hours of viewing that exhilarates. Downton Abbey is the star, virtually a character in its own right. It contains two communities, each reliant on the other. Already the new century is beginning to threaten what both hold most dear. Upstairs and down, everything rings true - a bygone age lovingly recreated. This is Julian Fellowes' brainchild, he deserving most credit, but praise goes to all who converged to create something extra special. Dame Maggie Smith dominates but does not eclipse. Hugh Bonneville impresses as the enlightened Earl. Below stairs, Jim Carter is awesomely aloof butler Carson (with a secret that stuns), Brendan Coyle moving as the new valet with a limp and a troubled past. Lady's maid O'Brien and footman Thomas are enjoyably horrible, the one regret in the series that nice footman William did not give Thomas a far heftier thump. Throughout there are lines to savour, especially from the Dowager Duchess. About the recently drowned heir: "He was too much like his mother and a nastier woman never drew breath." Recoiling from newly installed electric lights: "I feel I am on stage at the Gaiety." Disconcerted by a swivel chair but declining a replacement: "No, no - I am a good sailor." Here is a production so full of fine things, one can only applaud - delight increased by news there will be a second season. (Bonuses include two commentaries and behind the scenes features. Thank you to whoever removed those irritating pre-credits trailers. If only this could be done for all similarly afflicted television series when transferred to DVD!) Wholeheartedly recommended, but by now you will have gathered that.

Absolutely wonderful series. Certainly deserves a second series. The interactions are just perfect. I watched it over two days, including a 6am episode instead of heading to gym (blush). Another Scottish viewer without the facility to watch ITV-1 other ways. Perhaps best anyway without adverts. I hooted almost every time the wonderful Maggie Smith opened her mouth. Not sure if I missed a previous reference to her but there's a bit in it where Robert is speaking to Matthew and Matthew says "What do I say to Cousin Violet". It helps to know that the "Cousin Violet" referred to is the one and only Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) Reason for one star removed : This applies to the DVD version, I don't have the Blue-Ray version it might be different. The menu-system on the DVD is not very user friendly. I can imagine some not-so-young viewers getting muddled. The opening screen does not have the traditional episode choice side by side, you get "Play All" and "Scene Selection". When you chose Scene-Selection you then get six scenes to choose from for the opening episode on the DVD. You obviously choose number 1 to start that episode. BUT to get to the next episode, you have to go to the bottom to choose "Next" to get the six scenes for that episode (you can of course press the up-arrow from the first scene to get to the bottom of the screen for 'next' but that is a separate issue)

It is very rare that I find a television show that is so well-done and such a pure unadulterated joy to watch that there isn't a single thing I would change --- "Downton Abbey" is such a show! I was intrigued right from the beginning of episode 1, and for me there was not a dull moment in the entire series. The story follows the daily lives of both the residing family and the staff of the house, and I found both to be utterly fascinating. Every character is lovingly drawn, every actor's performance absolutely spot-on, and every scene is done with incredible attention to detail. All of this --- along with the great writing and directing and the beautiful cinematography --- adds up to a series that is simply pitch-perfect! If there is one complaint I have then it is that this first season was much too short! Only 7 episodes --- that really isn't much. I wish there had been more episodes, but from what I hear they are filming season 2 right now so I can look forward to that ... :o)

Superb mini series following the lives of Earl and Countess Grantham and their three very different daughters, as well as the lives of the house staff. It commences in 1912, when the heir (and the spare) to the title go down on the Titanic. As the current Earl and Countess have no son, and the property is entailed, they need to find and meet the next in line to the title - Matthew, who is a solicitor working in London. He's less than thrilled at the disruption to his life, and the rather daunting prospect of learning about Downton. He is encouraged to court Lady Mary, eldest daughter of the Granthams. I don't want to go into more of the story, as it may spoil it for anyone who has yet to see it. Suffice it to say that Matthew and his mother integrating into the family is challenging. Maggie Smith plays the Dowager Countess, and has some of the best lines ever! The series is a fascinating view of an eventful period of history - 1912 to the commencement of WWI in 1914, and how these events shape the lives of all at the Abbey. The backstabbing, romance and intrigue amongst the staff, and amongst the family are guaranteed to keep the viewer glued to the screen. The dialog, cinematography, costumes, casting and acting are excellent and this series is compulsive viewing.

Purchased the dvd for my parents as a Christmas present as they didn't watch the ITV series. Downton Abbey was one of the most watchable TV period dramas I have seen in years, I rate it right up there with the BBC adaptation of Pride & Prejudice (Colin Firth) from some years ago. I have to admit I never intended to watch the series, just caught the first episode by accident and was immediately hooked. Extremely well cast (Maggie Smith is brilliant) and believable with great characters, some endearing and some just plain dislikeable. Great storyline, interesting & quite educational depicting the interaction between life above and below stairs in the early 20th century. I would 100% recommend this series to just about anyone - I personally enjoy costune dramas so perhaps I'm biased, but my partner who normally turns his nose up at such tame viewing was equally addicted. We both looked forward eagerly to each week's episode, were really quite disappointed when the series ended - and are now eagerly awaiting the second series which we hope will be shown in 2011.

Awful! It wouldn't play in Canada despite reassurance from the California importer that it would. Amazon should have done its homework re. Region 1 and 2. Amazon says that it has refunded my payment, but I'm waiting for my statement to be sure. I even bought a $20 China-made player that was claimed to play it...it did, but only in black and white!

What you see is what you get! DVD had no trouble working, and I can bring Downton with me anywhere! If you are a Downton Abbey fan, add this to your collection!

El pack aunque era de segunda mano estaba en perfecto estado. En inglés con subtítulos en inglés. Lo recomiendo completamente.

(No Spoiler) La serie è stupenda. Ma vi consiglio vivamente di guardarla in inglese con i sottotitoli. Gli attori hanno tutti una voce molto bella ed inoltre si percepisce molto meglio l'umorismo! Ho provato a riguardarne alcune parti doppiate in italiano e vi assicuro che è tutta un altra cosa, sembra di guardare una di quelle telenovele da quattro soldi anni '90 che trasmettono in tv. Inoltre devo aggiungere che le traduzioni non sono eccelse e di conseguenza i dialoghi ne risentono. Per quanto riguarda i contenuti questa serie è veramente ammirevole. CHANGE (cambiamento) è il termine adatto alla serie: cambiamento della società, dei costumi, della personalità dei personaggi, dei ruoli che ricoprono, ma soprattutto cambiamento inteso come ascesa sociale in un epoca dove il futuro è segnato sin dalla nascita. Dettagli storici molto ben curati. Quindi se volete saperne di più su usi, costumi ed evoluzione della società inglese durante la prima metà del '900, dall'affondamento del Titanic al 1926, non perdetevi in alcun modo Downton Abbey!

Voici une série télé sans équivalent en France. Nos "Du côté de chez Maupassant" en costumes d'époque, à côté, font figure de travaux d'étudiants. On a affaire à une superbe saga familiale, dont l'originalité consiste en une attention égale portée aux maîtres et aux domestiques - dans l'esprit de "la règle du jeu" de Renoir. Pour autant, on ne tombe jamais dans un schéma de "lutte des classes" réducteur et anachronique. Les acteurs sont extraordinaires. La reconstitution historique de la Grande-Bretagne à la veille de la guerre de 14 est d'une justesse et d'une précision quasi-documentaire. On ne tombe jamais dans le prêchi-prêcha idéologique où s'enferrent tant de nos séries historiques françaises ; l'attention va aux personnages, à leurs stratégies, à leur évolution au fil du temps - la fille aînée, pressée de se marier pour sauver le domaine et le château, alors que, sexuellement frustrée, elle cède un soir à une tentation révélatrice de sa vraie nature ; la cadette qui pressent que l'émancipation des femmes va devenir une possibilité ; le valet, ancien militaire, qui a un lourd secret à cacher, etc. En plus, c'est d'une beauté à couper le souffle. Les décors sont magiques. A découvrir de toute urgence. Car je serais très étonné qu'une chaîne française rachète cette série : la comparaison avec la médicocrité de nos produits français, en comparaison, amènerait à poser trop de questions gênantes...