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Amazon.co.uk Review
Gosford Park finds director Robert Altman in sumptuously fine form. From the opening shots, as the camera peers through the trees at an opulent English country estate, Altman exploits the 1930s period setting and whodunit formula of the film expertly. Aristocrats gather together for a weekend shooting party with their dutiful servants in tow, and the upstairs/downstairs division of the classes is perfectly tailored to Altman's method (Nashville, Short Cuts) of overlapping bits of dialogue and numerous subplots in order to betray underlying motives and the sins that propel them. Greed, vengeance, snobbery and lust stir comic unrest as the near dizzying effects of the plot twists are allayed by perhaps Altman's strongest ensemble to date.
Maggie Smith is marvellous as Constance, a dependent Countess with a quip for every occasion; Michael Gambon, as the ill-fated host, Sir William McCordle, is one of the most palpably salacious characters ever on screen; Kristin Scott Thomas is perfectly cold, yet sexy, as Lady Sylvia, Sir William's wife; and Helen Mirren, Emily Watson and Clive Owen are equally memorable as key characters from the bustling servants' quarters below. Gosford Park manages to be fabulously entertaining while exposing human shortcomings, compromises and endless need for confession. --Fionn Meade
On the DVD: Gosford Park, presented 2.35:1--Anamorphic Widescreen transfer, is awash with the muted colours and sepia tones which permeate the film, the sound is excellent as the actors were individually miked, so you don’t loose any of the dialogue giving away subtle plot developments. Extras are chunky, with deleted scenes, trailers a couple of documentaries. Most notable are the two commentaries which go a long way to unravelling some of the twistier plot devices and a Q&A session with the Altman and his crew filmed in New York. --Kristen Bowditch
Special Features
- Director's Commentary
- Deleted Scenes with optional Director's Commentary
- The Making of "Gosford Park"
- Cast and Filmmaker Q and A Session
- The Authenticity of "Gosford Park"
- Trailer
DVD Technical Information
- Language: English
- Sub-titles: None
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The murder is the least important element of this movie. For me, the movie is all about style -- English upperclass, country house style with dollops of what it took below the stairs to keep everything running.
What makes the movie work for me are two things: that style is brought to life with quite a bit of wicked (but not malicious) humor; and second, some extremely good acting. These two elements are exemplified in the funny, mannered performance of Jeremy Northam as Ivor Novello, singing Novello's popular and ickily sentimental songs (although Her Mother Came, Too is still amusing). I can't think of a performance in the movie that wasn't first rate, including those by the two Americans, Bob Balaban and Ryan Phillippe. Well, maybe Stephen Fry.
Even the heavy-going plot lines, which could easily have sunk into melodrama, are rescued by the performances of Mirren, Atkins, Watson, Bates, etc. And the bit players also were outstanding. I especially liked the chubby young scullery helper. I just hope she didn't get pregnant...and that she always washed her hands before helping out with the carrots.
Altman, for me, has made so many movies of such varying quality that it's hard to figure out where to place him. I wouldn't put this one in the same league as McCabe and Mrs. Miller or Nashville, but I think it fits comfortably along side Cookie's Fortune, another film I like a lot.
What makes the movie work for me are two things: that style is brought to life with quite a bit of wicked (but not malicious) humor; and second, some extremely good acting. These two elements are exemplified in the funny, mannered performance of Jeremy Northam as Ivor Novello, singing Novello's popular and ickily sentimental songs (although Her Mother Came, Too is still amusing). I can't think of a performance in the movie that wasn't first rate, including those by the two Americans, Bob Balaban and Ryan Phillippe. Well, maybe Stephen Fry.
Even the heavy-going plot lines, which could easily have sunk into melodrama, are rescued by the performances of Mirren, Atkins, Watson, Bates, etc. And the bit players also were outstanding. I especially liked the chubby young scullery helper. I just hope she didn't get pregnant...and that she always washed her hands before helping out with the carrots.
Altman, for me, has made so many movies of such varying quality that it's hard to figure out where to place him. I wouldn't put this one in the same league as McCabe and Mrs. Miller or Nashville, but I think it fits comfortably along side Cookie's Fortune, another film I like a lot.
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This movie is the quintessential English murder mystery plot, set in a very realistic and well presented period drama style. Although the plot was not brilliantly oringinal, bar the unusual twist on "the butler/maid did it", it is superbly carried out by some of the best actors ever to grace the screens. Even the young Ryan Phillipe (of Cruel Intentions fame), who infact plays a larger role than Stephen Fry, is spectacular.
There are one hundred and one different little plot twists that keep you thinking throughout the movie, and missing just the tiniest snippet can muddle you up. Luckily the movie is involving enough to keep you pinned to your seat.
The portrayal of the Upper/Middle/Lower class boundaries is exemplary and the awkwardness causes you to laugh, especially with the entrance of the middle class inspector; that quite obviously doesn't fit in either Above or Below stairs.
If you are to buy one DVD this month you should make it gosford park, you will watch it again and again and each time discover a little something new.
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Its raining and dark, welcome to England and the Aristocracy at its worst. What could be worse, wearing the wrong furs and satin for a shooting party, or the death of a colleague in his own stately home. Kristin Scott-Thomas depicts the air of tedium and superiority against the backdrop of activity that happens "below stairs" complete with its own surprising hierarchy and inverted snobbery. A delight to watch as if you are spying on the party, the plot thickens as those downstairs know more about the murder than maybe the upstairs would notice.... After all to them all the staff are invisible. Great performance by Dame Maggie Smith who is the poorest member of the rich set, together with a stalwart performance by Michael Gambon. Watch out for the subtlety of the rules below stairs and the double standards of the rich.
Great stuff for Sunday afternoons with a packet of hobnobs and a vat of tea.....
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
For those viewers of a more elderly persuasion
The Amazon blurb for this EXCELLENT British film asserts: "The sound is excellent as the actors were individually miked, so you don't loose [sic] any of the dialogue giving away... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Nansorb
Downton Abbey it aint!
If you think this is in the same mould as Downton Abbey because it has the same author - you will be in for a shock, as my review sides with the 'dreadfuls'. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jennifer Peters
Gosford Park.
I received this item in excellent time, just before Christmas,
and look forward to some free time to enjoy it.
and look forward to some free time to enjoy it.
Published 4 months ago by Maggiemay
Gosford Addictive Park
I bought this as a present for my mother. She absolutly loved it since she is a massive Julian Fellows fan. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Matt Taylor
Gosford Park
This is my favourite film of all time; it is a murder mystery, a history lesson and a comedy. Everytime I veiw it I see something new that I have not seen before. Read more
Published 5 months ago by 999nacnud
Gosford Park
Nice present at low price if you haven't already seen it. Good prompt delivery. Suitable for the whole family but really good for grandparents if they enjoyed Dowwnton Abbey.
Published 5 months ago by Ed
Good points outweigh the less good
The sound on the DVD is truly terrible and Stephen Fry's Clouseau-lite has clearly wandered in from a completely different film. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Graham R. Hill
One of the most boring films ever made
Gosford Park presented itself as a stylish whodunnit story with a stellar cast. However it seems more like a social commentary on the class system. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr. A. E. Hall
its so british, so beautiful
This is an absolute amazing movie. The acting is great, the story is wonderful and it is so british. Charming and funny. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Inge Christensen
Words cant describe how boring this movie is.
This movie is so boring and a huge disappointment for an oscar nominated movie with an excellent cast. Please avoid at all costs.
Published 12 months ago by Ali M
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