A British Masterpiece
- madamemc5
- Nov 14, 2020
- 2 min read
I have never been one to watch a movie or tv series a second time, but that is not the case with the magnificently filmed Downton Abbey. Most recently I started to rewatch the series and I am now on season 3 and I am even more captivated with Downton Abbey the second time around.
As soon as I hear the orchestra play that famous introduction, I am immediately drawn to the show as I travel back to the early 1900's in England. A time of aristocracy, where gentleman had footman and butlers and the women had ladies maids. A time where what you wore to breakfast was not even option at dinner. A lifestyle where married women were served breakfast in bed and men enjoyed a cigar and cognac after dinner while the women went to the drawing room to play cards or gossip. Oh what a life, and I just cannot stop watching!
Maggie Smith's character Violet, is probably my most favourite and her one liners only make the show that much better. The first time when I watched the series, I was so inthralled by the show, I missed many of granny's zingers. This time, I patiently await as I wonder, what will grandmama have to say? The one liner that most stands out, is her response to cousin Matthew Crawley when she says "What is a weekend?" That pretty much sums up the life of the rich, where there is no difference between a work day or a weekend. Imagine!
The lives of the servants such as, Mr. Carson, Mrs Hughes, Bates and Anna was just as important and interesting as was the lives of the Crawley's. The creator Julian Fellowes, brilliantly incorporated the lives of those upstairs with those who worked downstairs. Throughout the series you could not but root for Mr. Bates and Anna and the sweet relationship between Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes was sweet and inevitable.
There were so many excellent episodes, but one episode that really stood out to me, is when Matthew proposes and Mary finally says yes! The proposal occurs just outside of the abbey on a cool winter night as the snow gently falls on the couple. The camera zooms out, the happy couple grows smaller and behind them the abby which dominates the screen as it should, since it is probably the most important figure in the show.
The elegant wardrobe, the stunning scenery and the beautifully written script, there are no question Downtown Abbey was a masterpiece.

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