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Product Description
Julian Fellowes' hit drama Downton Abbey returns with all the regular cast including Dame Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Brendan Coyle, Joanne Froggatt and Dan Stevens. Returning to Downton Abbey in 1916, we see the effects of The First World War on the lives of the Crawley family and the servants who work for them. The new series sees the return of all the much loved characters whose intertwined lives are rendered more complicated by wartime and its impact on the great house itself. And when the storms of war have finally cleared, will the way of life known by all the inhabitants of Downton have changed forever?
Bonus Features:
- Episode One Commentary
- Deleted Scenes
- House to Hospital
- Fashion and Uniforms
- Romance in a Time of Warfare
Bonus Features:
- Episode One Commentary
- Deleted Scenes
- House to Hospital
- Fashion and Uniforms
- Romance in a Time of Warfare
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
86 of 94 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Critics have plunged in the knives and given a good twist, Downton Abbey's plight during the Great War and Spanish Fever provoking sneers.
Admittedly some plot contrivances did not really convince and Mrs. Bates exuded so much venom she seemed to have strayed in from "The Wizard of Oz". Much drama of quality, though, remained as tragedy struck both upstairs and down, all concerned having forever to improvise. Conditions depicted were the result of extensive research. It is easy to mock Lady Sybil's wish to play her part, which meant first learning how to fill a kettle. That is how things were - so many of the pampered classes at a loss how to do even the most basic things for themselves.
The romances rather left me cold, except for Bates and Anna (Joanne Froggatt excellent). Unexpectedly the most moving moments were not the big set pieces but almost incidental: Thomas (of all people) weeping after a sudden death; his crony sourface O'Brien surprisingly sympathetic towards the shellshocked replacement valet Lang.
Maggie Smith's Dowager, as ever, reigned supreme. When Matthew was reported missing, she observed, "The next heir will probably be a chimney sweep from Solihull." Magnificently she championed the cause of badly injured footman William - casting aside pompous officialdom, cutting down to size that odious vicar. In every way a performance to treasure. Others, less showy, also impressed - not least Phyllis Logan as the housekeeper.
The television showing suffered from clutter. DVD spares viewers the adverts, promotions of forthcoming shows (one segment insensitively timed about five minutes from the climax of each episode), the pre-credit spoilers.... Read more ›
Admittedly some plot contrivances did not really convince and Mrs. Bates exuded so much venom she seemed to have strayed in from "The Wizard of Oz". Much drama of quality, though, remained as tragedy struck both upstairs and down, all concerned having forever to improvise. Conditions depicted were the result of extensive research. It is easy to mock Lady Sybil's wish to play her part, which meant first learning how to fill a kettle. That is how things were - so many of the pampered classes at a loss how to do even the most basic things for themselves.
The romances rather left me cold, except for Bates and Anna (Joanne Froggatt excellent). Unexpectedly the most moving moments were not the big set pieces but almost incidental: Thomas (of all people) weeping after a sudden death; his crony sourface O'Brien surprisingly sympathetic towards the shellshocked replacement valet Lang.
Maggie Smith's Dowager, as ever, reigned supreme. When Matthew was reported missing, she observed, "The next heir will probably be a chimney sweep from Solihull." Magnificently she championed the cause of badly injured footman William - casting aside pompous officialdom, cutting down to size that odious vicar. In every way a performance to treasure. Others, less showy, also impressed - not least Phyllis Logan as the housekeeper.
The television showing suffered from clutter. DVD spares viewers the adverts, promotions of forthcoming shows (one segment insensitively timed about five minutes from the climax of each episode), the pre-credit spoilers.... Read more ›
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By lizzie
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I like Downton Abbey, both series 1 and 2. Yes, they are not high drama, they are soaps dressed up with lavish sets, costumes and accessories. But that's not bad, it's entertainment. Unfortunately my copy of series 2 came with a faulty disk, but Amazon was great at replacing it. I am not usually one for the bonus material that is included with DVD's, but I found the deleted scenes from series 2 very helpful and I really wish many of them had been included in the final cut. Some bits of the story now make more sense. Well done, great set, looking forward to more.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Bambi
Format:DVD
Downton Abbey - Series 2 [DVD]
The 'mixture as before' in Series 2 of this great-rating drama. I have to confess that I was panting for the dvd to arrive and when it did, saw the whole 8 episodes over a few days in an orgy of Downton-watching.
Obviously, it has all the same problems as Series 1 - implausible plots, historical inaccuracy and so on - but like the first, Series 2 is strangely addictive. And the good news is that, since it ends on a cliff-hanger, there must be a Series 3 in the pipeline.
In the throes of war the main motif is 'nothing will be the same again' and some of the relationships are strained to prove it. Regrettably, Lady Sybil did not meet the nice young officer I predicted at the end of Series 1, although Thomas does not enjoy his time in the trenches (as predicted). Both Lady Mary and Lady Edith improve enormously and find that being occupied makes them a lot less bitchy. Lady Edith thought she had met a nice officer, and one of the housemaids certainly did, but those wartime romances can be dodgy things and surprisingly (or not) not everyone behaves quite as they ought.
It's often hard for the family and servants to keep track of all the comings and going and what everyone's up to behind the scenes, but fortunately they don't have to rely on the simple expedient of telling each other things people ought to know and keeping quiet about those they shouldn't. Eavesdropping gives sneaky O'Brien and Thomas plenty to plot about, and listening to servants' gossip keeps the family informed about important events.
Poor old Bates has a terrible time with his ex-wife.... Read more ›
The 'mixture as before' in Series 2 of this great-rating drama. I have to confess that I was panting for the dvd to arrive and when it did, saw the whole 8 episodes over a few days in an orgy of Downton-watching.
Obviously, it has all the same problems as Series 1 - implausible plots, historical inaccuracy and so on - but like the first, Series 2 is strangely addictive. And the good news is that, since it ends on a cliff-hanger, there must be a Series 3 in the pipeline.
In the throes of war the main motif is 'nothing will be the same again' and some of the relationships are strained to prove it. Regrettably, Lady Sybil did not meet the nice young officer I predicted at the end of Series 1, although Thomas does not enjoy his time in the trenches (as predicted). Both Lady Mary and Lady Edith improve enormously and find that being occupied makes them a lot less bitchy. Lady Edith thought she had met a nice officer, and one of the housemaids certainly did, but those wartime romances can be dodgy things and surprisingly (or not) not everyone behaves quite as they ought.
It's often hard for the family and servants to keep track of all the comings and going and what everyone's up to behind the scenes, but fortunately they don't have to rely on the simple expedient of telling each other things people ought to know and keeping quiet about those they shouldn't. Eavesdropping gives sneaky O'Brien and Thomas plenty to plot about, and listening to servants' gossip keeps the family informed about important events.
Poor old Bates has a terrible time with his ex-wife.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Judy M
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've watched all the episodes .... some of the sub-plotting seems a bit superfluous but I won't spoil it for those who have not watched the series. Overall it is extremely good. Maggie Smith, of course, outshines everyone. She is marvellous. The series doesn't resolve everything so there is obviously more to come. The settings and production values make this compelling viewing - well, for women anyway. I'm not sure it will rate above a Premier League match for the men of the household.
51 of 63 people found the following review helpful
By Brett H
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
The greatly anticipated second series of Downton Abbey picks up two years on from the first series in 1916, in the middle of World War 1. Downton Abbey has been converted into a convalescent home for injured servicemen and the action covers the period from the Battle of the Somme up to the end of the war. As in the first series, topical events of the period, political, economic and military are covered.
The wartime scenario and the convalescent home setting provide an excellent background for some interesting story lines. The combination of excellent plot lines, great acting and the superb setting display all that is best in TV period drama. This time round we have eight more episodes to add to the seven in the first series. As befits wartime, the costumes are not as flamboyant as in the first series but they are thoroughly researched and appropriate to the period.
There continue to be many superb individual performances but mention must be made of Maggie Smith. What a stroke of genius to cast her as Violet. She dominates every scene she appears in and often has some very funny lines.
Viewers will not be surprised to learn that this is the most successful costume drama since the early 1980s with peak viewing figures in the UK of 11m. It has been sold round the world including the States, and viewing figures have been impressive there too. It is pleasing to learn that a third series is already planned and we now know that this will cover an 18 month period from 1920 to 1921 and will hit our screens in September 2012. This one is likely to run and run and I would not be surprised to see Downton Abbey continuing up to the 1930s eventually.
The wartime scenario and the convalescent home setting provide an excellent background for some interesting story lines. The combination of excellent plot lines, great acting and the superb setting display all that is best in TV period drama. This time round we have eight more episodes to add to the seven in the first series. As befits wartime, the costumes are not as flamboyant as in the first series but they are thoroughly researched and appropriate to the period.
There continue to be many superb individual performances but mention must be made of Maggie Smith. What a stroke of genius to cast her as Violet. She dominates every scene she appears in and often has some very funny lines.
Viewers will not be surprised to learn that this is the most successful costume drama since the early 1980s with peak viewing figures in the UK of 11m. It has been sold round the world including the States, and viewing figures have been impressive there too. It is pleasing to learn that a third series is already planned and we now know that this will cover an 18 month period from 1920 to 1921 and will hit our screens in September 2012. This one is likely to run and run and I would not be surprised to see Downton Abbey continuing up to the 1930s eventually.
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4.9 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful
watch this all in one sitting it is wonderful we will watch this again and again we will probably wear out the player
Published 7 hours ago by THE BIG BAD WOLF
5.0 out of 5 stars
Downton series 2
A great follow up to the first series, all the usual charactors Moving on into another time frame.
Would recommend to anyone interested in historical dramas.
Would recommend to anyone interested in historical dramas.
Published 4 days ago by John Cawthorne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
What a series you just can't get enough of this I can't wait for the next series to come yes
Published 27 days ago by Mrs Gabrielle Brumby
5.0 out of 5 stars
t.v
i love this dvd and i love watching the t.v. series, and would recommend to friends and family to buy this to keep
Published 1 month ago by carol
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rich and poor living in same abbey entwining lives.
I can see both sides of this fascinating in site into wealthy family who have 3 daughters, but have to have a male heir which goes to a male cousin. Read more
Published 1 month ago by sooky
5.0 out of 5 stars
brilliant
excellent series so decided to buy it for my Mum for her birthday as she lives abroad and cant see it on tv and I know she will love it
Published 1 month ago by lorraine
5.0 out of 5 stars
Its Great
I make an appearance in the village scene walking through the church yard up to the tree and walk past one of the cast
Published 1 month ago by Mr Ian S Rapstone
3.0 out of 5 stars
So so
I enjoyed the series at the beginning After a lot of Dvd I found them a little boring. The charcters began to get on my nerves
Published 1 month ago by Françoise B
5.0 out of 5 stars
Downton Abbey - Series 2 (DVD)
I have loved the second series as much as the first series. Keeps you engrossed and so well acted. Best to see on DVD as no adverts to spoil it.
Published 1 month ago by Mrs S R Dean
5.0 out of 5 stars
Downton Abbey
I love this programme. Avidly watched and enjoyed every episode in both series 1 and 2 and also the Christmas special. Great cast and great acting! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lez
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