Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Michael Engler, Focus Features, M 122 Minutes.
After directing a few episodes of the popular television series with the final season concluding in 2015, Michael Engler has efficaciously brought to the big screen a highly entertaining feature-length production on the continuing story of the aristocratic Crawley family.
Set in the late 1920s the storyline is again scripted by Julian Fellowes, the TV series creator, with most of the charming characters including the Abbey’s loyal servants reprising their roles as they prepare for an unexpected royal visit.
Much to their surprise, Robert Crawley – Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) – and his wife Cora – Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern) – are to host a visit by King George V (Simon Jones –‘Spectropia’) and Queen Mary (Geraldine James –‘Beast’) – who are to spend one night at Downton Abbey.
Besides generating a great deal of excitement, the visit is also viewed with considerable trepidation by the Downton employees due to the participation of the obnoxious royal butler Mr Wilson (David Haig –‘Florence Foster Jenkins’) and the royal staff.
In view of the inexperienced younger butler Mr. Barrow (Rob James-Collier) and to ensure a faultless preparation for the visit, Lord Grantham’s daughter Lady Mary (Michele Dockery) persuades former butler Mr Carson to return from his retirement.
However the preparations cause considerable anxiety amongst the Downton staff especially for chief cook Mrs. Patmore at the royal chef’s constant interference not to mention certain concerns permeating within the Crawley family.
These concerns are mainly expressed by the spirited Dowager Countess Crawley (Maggie Smith) and relate to Lady Maud (Imelda Staunton –‘Finding your Feet’) excluding her cousin Lord Grantham from her inheritance in favour of her maid Lucy (Tuppence Middleton –‘Jupiter Ascending’).
Adding the appropriate dose of drama is the disenchanted Irishman intent on shooting the King during his parade only to be stopped by Irishman Tom Branson (Allen Leech) and Lord Grantham’s son-in-law.
In the end the royal visit turns out to be a mostly rewarding experience with the Downton servants achieving their retribution against the royal staff as the Crawley family reflect on Downton Abbey’s future.
Considering the TV series spanned some 52 episodes, it is to Engler’s credit that he has managed incorporate all the backstories, conflicts, intrigues and secrets into a two hour long movie.
Although most Downton Abby fans and others will regret the production not being longer they will enjoy the return of their favourite characters particularly the fabulous cinematography and costumes.
Vic’s Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
