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The first three series, plus the Christmas special, of the ITV costume drama following the lives and loves of those above and below stairs in an English stately home. In series one, set before the outbreak of World War One, the Grantham family, long time custodians of Downton Abbey, face a crisis when the heir to the estate dies on the Titanic. With his three daughters unable to inherit by law, Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville), the current Earl of Grantham, must try and marry his eldest daughter off in order to obtain an heir. Meanwhile, the family's determination to cling to class and rank is mirrored in a number of growing rivalries between the servants which threaten to undermine the smooth running of the house. In series two, after the outbreak of WWI, Matthew (Dan Stevens) and Thomas (Rob James-Collier) are off fighting at the Somme, while both Lord Grantham and William (Thomas Howes) feel frustrated at being barred from taking part in the war. Meanwhile, Lady Sybil (Jessica Brown-Findlay) defies her aristocratic position and enlists in the Royal Army Nursing Corps and Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) puts on a brave face when Matthew arrives home on leave with his future wife, Lavinia Swire (Zoe Boyle), in tow. In series three, with the war finally over, the 1920s heralds the promise of a new age for those at Downton Abbey. But while the family prepare for the wedding of Lady Mary and Matthew, Lord Grantham learns that the future of Downton is in grave jeopardy after the collapse of investments made with his wife (Elizabeth McGovern)'s fortune. With the family beginning to gather for the wedding celebrations, a grand entrance by Cora's thoroughly modern mother, Martha Levinson (Shirley MacLaine), threatens to ruffle a few of the Dowager (Maggie Smith)'s feathers.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
115 of 119 people found the following review helpful
By Brett H
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
This DVD set is a real treat as it includes all 24 episodes to date and is released just in time to give as the perfect Christmas present. There are seven episodes from the first series, eight each from the second and third, plus the 2011 Christmas special which was arguably the best single episode so far; it was certainly one of the most dramatic!
The three series so far have taken us from 1912, just after the sinking of the Titanic, up to 1920. The circumstances surrounding each series have been in contrast with each other. The first series ran up to the start of the First World War, and the one of the main thrusts of the story line was the matchmaking within the Crawley family and the various financial and social influences on the choice of a suitable partner.
The second series moves on to the war years, when Downton Abbey had been converted into a convalescent home for injured servicemen. The time setting is from the Battle of the Somme up to the end of the war. This background contributes to some very interesting scripts, and whilst some felt that it did not live up to the first series, personally I thought it was excellent, but different.
The Christmas special and the third series take place from late 1919 into 1920. The first features a very dramatic trial, and in the third series the household is far more back to the life of an aristocratic family as it was in the first series although the estate faces major challenges in the post war period and a need to embrace change if Downton is to survive. A major feature of the show is the interaction between the family and those who serve them `below stairs' and there are many strong performances amongst both groups.... Read more ›
The three series so far have taken us from 1912, just after the sinking of the Titanic, up to 1920. The circumstances surrounding each series have been in contrast with each other. The first series ran up to the start of the First World War, and the one of the main thrusts of the story line was the matchmaking within the Crawley family and the various financial and social influences on the choice of a suitable partner.
The second series moves on to the war years, when Downton Abbey had been converted into a convalescent home for injured servicemen. The time setting is from the Battle of the Somme up to the end of the war. This background contributes to some very interesting scripts, and whilst some felt that it did not live up to the first series, personally I thought it was excellent, but different.
The Christmas special and the third series take place from late 1919 into 1920. The first features a very dramatic trial, and in the third series the household is far more back to the life of an aristocratic family as it was in the first series although the estate faces major challenges in the post war period and a need to embrace change if Downton is to survive. A major feature of the show is the interaction between the family and those who serve them `below stairs' and there are many strong performances amongst both groups.... Read more ›
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Snow
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Can't recommend this series highly enough. It has been compulsory Sunday viewing for the whole of our family.
This box set not only includes series 1-3 but also the superb Christmas special - the one that includes that fantastic put down line by the the brilliant Maggie Smith. She is a pure delight in nearly every scene she appears in be it one of her biting throwaway comments or indeed just a withering look!
There is always a number of interesting storylines on the go at the same time and so many strong characters. There is always tension downstairs with the servants, some continuously trying to get on at the expense of their colleagues, others just trying to survive.
Upstairs the sisters seem to go from one predicament to another with the father often looking on exasperated!
I'm delighted with this purchase. Ideal winter present - shut the curtains and dive in.
This box set not only includes series 1-3 but also the superb Christmas special - the one that includes that fantastic put down line by the the brilliant Maggie Smith. She is a pure delight in nearly every scene she appears in be it one of her biting throwaway comments or indeed just a withering look!
There is always a number of interesting storylines on the go at the same time and so many strong characters. There is always tension downstairs with the servants, some continuously trying to get on at the expense of their colleagues, others just trying to survive.
Upstairs the sisters seem to go from one predicament to another with the father often looking on exasperated!
I'm delighted with this purchase. Ideal winter present - shut the curtains and dive in.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By AlexKrycek
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this for my wife, as personally I am not a Downton Abbey fan. She thinks the box set is great.
As detailed in earlier reviews, there are in total 24 episodes, including the 2011 Christmas special. From around 1912 to the 1920's, the drama covers the ups and downs of various family/servants. Compulsive viewing for my wife by all accounts. I did notice though that we are having Downton Abbey aired on Christmas Day 2012, so perhaps might be worth waiting to see if the box set is updated.
Great value box set, delivered quickly, and at a great price. Highly recommended.
As detailed in earlier reviews, there are in total 24 episodes, including the 2011 Christmas special. From around 1912 to the 1920's, the drama covers the ups and downs of various family/servants. Compulsive viewing for my wife by all accounts. I did notice though that we are having Downton Abbey aired on Christmas Day 2012, so perhaps might be worth waiting to see if the box set is updated.
Great value box set, delivered quickly, and at a great price. Highly recommended.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By LauraS
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The series is just fantastic. Well wirtten, well acted... However the DVD set has a fault: series 2 lacks DVD nb. 3 with episodes 6 and 7 (the case box tells you it contains 5 DVDs but there are only 4 inside)
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By M. BUENO
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm still viewing this delightful series. It is even better than I expected. I hope they bring out another series !!!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Sparkle
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
Season 1 and 2 play fine on my blu ray player but Season 3 requires an all-region blu ray player if you're in North America.
That's a pretty ridiculous way to package a box set. The show is wonderful though.
That's a pretty ridiculous way to package a box set. The show is wonderful though.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By M. A. Cooper
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this for my wife - she thoroughly loves it - it has kept her quiet for hours and hours
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Penny
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm a huge American fan of this series, and love that these DVD's are "as originally aired in the UK" instead of the edited US PBS version. For any Yanks hesitating to order from Amazon UK, don't. They are easy and efficient to order from and I had absolutely no trouble with the pounds to dollars conversion or shipping.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Reactionary fairytale
Lavish nonsense that celebrates caste system where everyone knows his or her place. What is the purpose of this if not to shepherd in a new age of slavery.
Published 4 days ago by Bogdan
5.0 out of 5 stars
What's not to like?!
Again, this was a Christmas present for my son. Six months on and he is still watching it frequently - I'm surprised the discs haven't worn out! A lovely box set.
Published 6 days ago by KerryC
5.0 out of 5 stars
Downton Abbey
We bought these cd`s because we enjoyed the TV series so much. Look forward to the next series. Excellent acting.
Published 8 days ago by B.Franks
1.0 out of 5 stars
Don't buy if you live in US
I was not aware that this product would not work on DVD machines made in the United
States. Since I had already opened the products and given to my mother and mother-... Read more
States. Since I had already opened the products and given to my mother and mother-... Read more
Published 12 days ago by J. Bowling
5.0 out of 5 stars
Downton - what a delight
Hours of wonderful viewing - such high quality writing and acting. Everything couldnt be better. dont deny yourself this great dvd box set
Published 15 days ago by Caroline Susan Thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great introduction to a new viewer
This was great value, getting the first 3 series plus a Christmas episode in one, as a gift for someone who is unfamiliar with the series
Published 16 days ago by wendy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Downton Abbey - Series 1-3 / Christmas at Downton Abbey 2011 [DVD]
Thoroughly enjoyed this series and look forward to more of it later in the year (2013) as I think they promised.....
Published 17 days ago by C. Baker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Catch up
Bought this as a Christmas present because my sister has missed some episodes, she's enjoyed it so I'm waiting to watch it.
Published 18 days ago by valerie young
1.0 out of 5 stars
disappointment
We could not actually use the CDs since we do not have the blu-ray system.
It was our mistake. We did not realize that they were not standard CDs. Read more
It was our mistake. We did not realize that they were not standard CDs. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Pierluigi Zoccolotti
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pity it's not available in Spanish
Great series that I missed when it was shown here in Spain. Good to have caught up with it, as everyone's always talking about it and couldn't believe I hadn't seen it. Read more
Published 19 days ago by S. L. Walker
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