Customer Reviews

Downton Abbey - Series 1 [DVD]

5 star:		(432)
4 star:		(50)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

ITV have excelled themselves with such a lavish drama and stellar cast. Dame Maggie Smith delivers her lines with such character and timing, she simply has you in fits of laughter. You come to expect the BBC to produce the goods when it comes to period drama, but ITV have shown they are more than capable and each episode of Downton leaves you wanting more. I truly hope BAFTA recognise the drama as it deserves to win plenty of awards. Anyone who hasn't seen it yet should make every effort to asap as they won't be disappointed - I can't wait for the second series!

Two telegrams, both with devastating news: the loss of the Titanic; the outbreak of war. In between, over six hours of viewing that exhilarates.

Downton Abbey is the star, virtually a character in its own right. It contains two communities, each reliant on the other. Already the new century is beginning to threaten what both hold most dear.

Upstairs and down, everything rings true - a bygone age lovingly recreated. This is Julian Fellowes' brainchild, he deserving most credit, but praise goes to all who converged to create something extra special.

Dame Maggie Smith dominates but does not eclipse. Hugh Bonneville impresses as the enlightened Earl. Below stairs, Jim Carter is awesomely aloof butler Carson (with a secret that stuns), Brendan Coyle moving as the new valet with a limp and a troubled past. Lady's maid O'Brien and footman Thomas are enjoyably horrible, the one regret in the series that nice footman William did not give Thomas a far heftier thump.

Throughout there are lines to savour, especially from the Dowager Duchess. About the recently drowned heir: "He was too much like his mother and a nastier woman never drew breath." Recoiling from newly installed electric lights: "I feel I am on stage at the Gaiety." Disconcerted by a swivel chair but declining a replacement: "No, no - I am a good sailor."

Here is a production so full of fine things, one can only applaud - delight increased by news there will be a second season.

(Bonuses include two commentaries and behind the scenes features. Thank you to whoever removed those irritating pre-credits trailers. If only this could be done for all similarly afflicted television series when transferred to DVD!)

Wholeheartedly recommended, but by now you will have gathered that.

Normally the BBC are the ones for drama but ITV have proved themselves more than capable!!!! Julian Fellowes has done a fantastic job portraying an aristocratic family in the early twentieth century. The plots are well balanced and intriguing, and he makes sure to include the below-stairs as well as the up-stairs supported by a brilliant cast, including the legendary, Dame Maggie Smith. In conclusion, this drama is the creme de la creme and definitely deserves a second series!

I started to watch this on TV but quickly got very frustrated by the amount of adverts. I appreciate that commercial television needs the advertising revenue to exist but I prefer to watch without interuption. In the case of Downton Abbey I was able to watch the complete series over two evenings. Costumes great, acting superb. This gives a good insite into the world of private service at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Having just got round to watching this DVD, I seem to remember the original TV transmission of episode three had a much more dramatic scene when Kemal rebukes advances made by Thomas. The DVD version seems to have edited this scene, which affects the impact of the whole story line. Maybe this was done to allow a lower age limit for DVD sales. If this is the case I would like to have known there were revised or edited scenes before making purchase.

I loved the beautiful photography, the great casting and acting, and the wonderful costumes of that time. Can't wait for the continuing saga in series two.

With usual Amazon efficiency I received this DVD the day after ordering it!
The series is a real delight to watch...great story, brilliant acting and wonderful sets and costumes. There will have to be a second series.......so much more to happen at Downton.

When I first began watching this series on Masterpiece on PBS in the United States I kept thinking it was very familiar. Then it dawned on me - Gosford Park, it is just like Gosford Park. Well, that would be because they were both the brainchild of Julian Fellows and so are very similar because they cover approximately the same time period and the same English country house type settings. Just think Gosford Park meets Upstairs, Downstairs.

This set is divided into seven episodes, each approximately 45 minutes in length. The time period covered is between 1912 and 1914 with the first series ending just as war with Germany has been announced. And, yes, there is a second season which will begin filming in early Spring 2011.

The story covers the lives of the family members of the Earl of Grantham and the servants who work on the estate, Downton Abbey. We are treated to the visual feasts of a sumptuous home in the country along with splendid costuming which includes very good hair styles for the period. There are quite a few situations which are not strictly true to the time period but basically this series is loaded so much toward personal enjoyment that I was quite willing to overlook any particular error that was so obvious that even I caught it. My husband and I both simply sat back and enjoyed the stories taking place in the fabulous setting with this cast of characters we have already come to care about. I'm ready to pre-order my set for the second season right now!

We cant wait until the next series...the only way we can see this top British Period Drama is by ordering in a blu ray from Amazon UK and we're so glad we did. Living on the Island of Java there is no other way to see such a programme.
The clarity is amazing...like peering through a window to the past.
My Indonesian friend's favourite character is the Dowager Duchess played by Maggie Smith.
Downton Abbey is a lesson too in British History.....the grand way of living before the tragedies of world war I....the height of the class system.
Thank you Amazon UK for making it possible for us to see this wonderful programme!

Just when you thought it couldn' get better, it did! Worth every penny....it's a keeper!
Incredible script, and the casting and setting are beyond words. Caused me to do some homework on the castle itself. It's British drama at it's best...five stars!
This one will go to "the home" with me when the time comes.
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