# Downton Abbey movie **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 22, 2019, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-movie/840649 "2019-09-22T14:41:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2019, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-movie/840649/1 "2019-09-22T14:41:48Z")
We went to see _Downton Abbey_ yesterday. We liked it. It was pretty much like the TV show, only the story was self-contained and resolved everything in two hours. Elizabeth McGovern looks _old_. She’s 58, but looks older. It was fun to see our favourite characters, and I wonder if there will be any more films. They didn’t exactly set the story up for another film, but at the end (spoiler ahead)… … Maggie Smith’s character is revealed to have a terminal illness. They didn’t kill her off in the film, but there’s your handy explanation as to why she wouldn’t appear in a sequel. Personally, I’d like to see a film where the Crawleys _et al._ live through the start of WWII. Or through WWII, though I don’t think that could be done in a single film. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2019, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-movie/840649/2 "2019-09-22T14:57:04Z")
The movie was set in 1927, so setting a sequel just two years later could cover how they deal with how the stock market crash in 1929 affects their fortunes. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2019, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-movie/840649/3 "2019-09-22T15:18:11Z")
Just saw it and thoroughly enjoyed. It was Fellow’s love letter to both his TV show fans and the peerage system. I thought they did set up for a sequel, and possible plot points were well laid out. I thought the way they set up Maggie Smith’s absence from future movies was well done. Fun bit of fluff. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2019, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-movie/840649/4 "2019-09-22T17:55:37Z")
It also, surprisingly to some, did well at the box office, topping both the new Rambo movie and the new Brad Pitt movie. > **['Downton Abbey' Serves Up Record, $31 Million Opening for Focus Features -...](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed593560580/)** > [@](#): > > ‘Downton Abbey’ Serves Up Record, $31 Million Opening for Focus Features > by Brad Brevet > > September 22, 2019 > > It was a record weekend for Focus Features that saw Downton Abbey not only top the weekend box office, but it became the studio’s largest opener ever, topping $30 million. The weekend’s fellow new releases — Ad Astra and Rambo: Last Blood — delivered on expectations and are in a neck-and-neck battle for runner-up position and we’ll have to wait for actuals to tell the full story on Monday afternoon. > > With an estimated $31 million, Focus Features’s Downton Abbey topped the weekend box office, giving the studio their largest opening weekend ever… I saw a free sneak preview of it awhile back and liked it, even though I’ve never seen the TV show. I followed the stories and characters pretty well, though all the men under 40 looked alike to me. I have Regal Unlimited so I’ll probably see it again. I’m sure they’ll distinguish themselves a bit better the 2nd time. My favorite people were the snarky mouthy old ladies (Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton & Imelda Staunton) and the cook in the kitchen. Speaking of, wouldn’t the entire staff have been fired for the stunt they pulled? ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2019, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-movie/840649/5 "2019-09-22T18:15:19Z")
I liked it. It’s basically just an episode of the TV series with more location shooting and higher profile guest stars. It was fun escapism. I really enjoyed Thomas’s subplot. He may be an ass, but as a gay man I can’t help but emphasize with him. Like that moment when stepped into the warehouse nightclub and for the first time in his life he was somewhere were he didn’t have to pretend; I guarantee that was one of if not the happiness moments of his life so far. And then they were raided by the police and he only escaped being ruined because the cute gay royal backup valet had a get out of gaol free card. At least now he know’s about York’s underground gay scene and has someone to meet up with the next time he’s in London. I do have an odd question about the royal visit that set everything in motion; did the Crawleys actually \*invite \*the King & Queen to Downton? 😕 Because the film gives the impression that they were just told out of the blue they’d be hosting royalty; one would that that in reality a courtier would make discreet inquires well in advance of the visit to find suitable hosts and have them invite the royal couple. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2019, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-movie/840649/6 "2019-09-22T18:25:52Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > It also, surprisingly to some, did well at the box office… Which reminds me: As we took our seats I looked around and thought, 'Geez, look at all of the _old people!_ :eek: Oh, wait… ☹ ’ ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2019, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-movie/840649/7 "2019-09-22T18:41:00Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > I liked it. It’s basically just an episode of the TV series with more location shooting and higher profile guest stars. It was fun escapism. I really enjoyed Thomas’s subplot. He may be an ass, but as a gay man I can’t help but emphasize with him. > > Like that moment when stepped into the warehouse nightclub and for the first time in his life he was somewhere were he didn’t have to pretend; I guarantee that was one of if not the happiness moments of his life so far. And then they were raided by the police and he only escaped being ruined because the cute gay royal backup valet had a get out of gaol free card. At least now he know’s about York’s underground gay scene and has someone to meet up with the next time he’s in London. > > I do have an odd question about the royal visit that set everything in motion; did the Crawleys actually \*invite \*the King & Queen to Downton? 😕 Because the film gives the impression that they were just told out of the blue they’d be hosting royalty; one would that that in reality a courtier would make discreet inquires well in advance of the visit to find suitable hosts and have them invite the royal couple. I asked a similar question about the etiquette of the royal visit in another thread. It seemed to be news to Robert Crawley that the royal couple were coming, so I don’t think he invited them. And some comments about the real-life events. The Prince of Wales who was supposed to take the African tour is the guy we know as the Duke of Windsor, who abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson. And the Queen Mary we saw was known for either stealing small valuables from country houses, or expressing such interest in such things that they were given or loaned to her. > [@Downton Abbey movie coming in 2019](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-movie-coming-in-2019/817896/46): > > I saw it yesterday. I liked it and was surprised at how many people were in the theater. Without spoiling anything, part of the story was about the conflict between the Downton Abbey household staff and that of the royal family, which had precedence. That was also a plot element of Gosford Park, a film from a while back that was also written by Julian Fellowes. > > And I have an etiquette question that even those who didn’t see the movie might be able to address. The trailer makes it clear that the story kicks off with Robert Crawley receiving a letter that the king and queen are to visit Downton Abbey and stay overnight (based, by the way, on a real trip taken by the real-life royals to Yorkshire at this time). It sounds a bit like they’re inviting themselves. That sounds improper. We don’t see the text of the letter, but perhaps it’s phrased delicately, like “We are coming to your area and should like to stay at your estate, if you’ll have us.” And of course he’s not going to say no. > > And BTW, [this New York Time article](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/13/movies/downton-abbey-movie.html) (paywall warning) goes into the history of royal visits. They were a big deal but very expensive for the host; perhaps even ruinously so. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2025, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-movie/840649/8 "2025-09-16T17:36:25Z")
Bumped. The third and final movie has been released: > **[Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downton_Abbey:_The_Grand_Finale)** > > Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is a 2025 historical drama film directed by Simon Curtis from a screenplay by Julian Fellowes. It is the sequel to Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022) and the third and final film in the Downton Abbey franchise. Many of the original franchise's cast members, who also appeared in the previous two films, return. Paul Giamatti and Dominic West reprise their roles as Harold Levinson from the television series and Guy Dexter from the previous film, respectively, while Jo... And there’ll be a big auction of costumes, props and even a car: > **[Ever Wanted to Live in Downton Abbey? Here's Your Chance](https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a65903573/downton-abbey-auction-2025/)** > > More than 100 pieces from the set are up for grabs. > **[Bonhams : Downton Abbey: The Auction](https://www.bonhams.com/auction/31605/downton-abbey-the-auction/)** > > Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers: auctioneers of art, pictures, collectables and motor cars Short video: > **[Iconic props and costumes for sale at Downton Abbey auction | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/15/entertainment/video/downton-abbey-auction-vrtc)** > > As the world prepares to say goodbye to the Grantham family and their beloved Downton Abbey, a select few will get to take home a piece of the series forever. CNN’s Richard Quest tours London auction house Bonhams, where 266 pieces from the show are... ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2025, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-movie/840649/9 "2025-09-16T18:27:34Z")
I know nothing about this series other than, when I see the whole cast in a panoramic shot, they look like a bunch of snobby a-holes 😆 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-movie/840649/10 "2025-09-17T06:18:29Z")
It’s great. You’ll be hooked in one episode. If you catch it, give it a try. I want to see the Finale. I’ll wait til its out. Not going to a cinema. Do movies go directly to DVD anymore? Or streaming services? (I found The Gilded Age. Fellowes American Downton. It’s good. Not great) ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-movie/840649/11 "2025-09-17T22:25:41Z")
It was nice. Predictable, but nice. At least this time Fellows had the Crawleys at risk of losing their seldom seen London pied-à-terre instead of Downton Abbey being at risk yet again . Also good for Thomas. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2025, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-movie/840649/12 "2025-09-19T04:39:00Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > I know nothing about this series other than, when I see the whole cast in a panoramic shot, they look like a bunch of snobby a-holes 😆 That’s why I didn’t bother with it the first couple of seasons. I thought it was a glorified soap opera about snobs. But after a couple of episodes I was hooked. And a good amount of the show is about the working-class characters. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2026, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/downton-abbey-movie/840649/13 "2026-09-15T04:14:43Z")
Now LEGO has joined in: > **[Downton Abbey makes a grand debut in LEGO® brick form - About Us - LEGO.com](https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news/2026/september/downton-abbey-makes-a-grand-debut-in-lego-brick-form?locale=en-us)** > > Downton Abbey makes a grand debut in LEGO® brick form