If you're like me, you like stories about the gentle, genteel past – a past that is feudal no doubt, but which is peopled with kind and empathetic souls aware of their own privilege and trying to make a difference to the lives of the less fortunate. That is why Downton Abbey drew me in: the story from a simpler time, the uncomplicated characters and the fact that there is justice in the end. Clearly, people had not had enough of the series when it ended so we are now to have Downton Abbey the film.
We are to have a feature film of the same name; revolving around the same characters and English estate. In the film, it is now 1927 and there is a royal visit in the offing, so everything must be spiffy and perfect at Downton.
People clearly had not had enough of the series even after six seasons so its movie version is something that a lot of people welcome and are looking forward to.
The old dowager is her old curmudgeonly self, and all the Crawly family regulars and their underlings appear to be true to character as well!
There is some discord between the ‘royal’ staff and the old retainers at Downton, so good old Carson is brought back. In fact, all the beloved characters are back and fans are delighted. The very existence of Downton appears to be in question and the film will answer the question on 20th September 2019.
Now that Game of Thrones has ended – forever – people are wondering what to do with themselves. Someone threw a bone their way, it would seem
There would have been a lot of people who would have dismissed the series as antiquated and medieval and out of touch with modern reality. However, there were many who simply enjoyed it for a story well told about old English estate beautifully rendered for TV.
Barrow, the one gay character of the series is shown as repressed and hateful and manipulative but we did come to have some sympathy for him as the show progressed. The trailer seems to suggest that his dreams and desires may finally find fruition in the movie, which they never seemed to do in the series.
Downton Abbey had a massive, worldwide audience that seemed to defy logic. It wasn’t just the elderly and the old fashioned watching it; the series resonated with people of all ages everywhere.
The TV series reportedly spawned a huge spike in the demand for trained butlers among the wealthy in different parts of the world. In China, a butler’s school opened up in 2014 to meet this increased demand!
A major part of enjoying a TV series is the anticipation triggered by the title track. That track is back too!
Of course there are many who question the relevance of the petty little issues that occupy the minds and hearts of the characters and their complete irrelevance in the modern context.
Well, kings and queens and feudal lords are (mostly) a thing of the past – thankfully. But there is nothing to say that we cannot enjoy a nice story about the past – as Downton Abbey, the movie trailer seems to promise.
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