Downton Abbey

Abstract

Downton Abbey Julie Anne Taddeo Downton Abbey 2019 Directed by Michael Engler Distributed by Carnival Productions; Perfect World Pictures https://shop.pbs.org/downton-abbey-the-movie 122 minutes For six seasons (ITV, 2010-15), the world fell in love with the aristocratic Crawley family and their household staff featured in the ITV production Downton Abbey. At the height of its popularity, as many as 15 million viewers tuned in to a Sunday evening episode, and visitors to Highclere Castle, the model and setting for the series, continue to number at 50,000 a year. Downton Abbey-branded teas, china, jewelry, makeup, ornaments, stuffed dogs, and cookbooks, among other items, have allowed fans to consume this series in multiple ways long after it bade farewell in 2015. Since it first aired in 2010, Downton Abbey has become a crucial part of TV history, heralding a new "golden age" of the period drama genre not witnessed on our small screens since the 1970s. Its international success not only spurred a butlering industry in China (Buckley & Kan 2017) but, more importantly, is indicative of how many people now get their history: from televisual historical fictions. Further, the material culture the series has generated (its extensive wardrobe, kitchen equipment, dinnerware, furniture, etc.) remains on display in an exhibition currently touring throughout the US, meticulously curated to become a part of history itself. Therefore, it's no surprise that social media fan sites were abuzz with anticipation for the release of the Downton Abbey movie, four years after the TV series signed off. Facebook and Twitter feeds shared and mused about the movie trailer and posted photos of costumed fans once again holding Downton-themed parties. Downton's creator and writer, Julian Fellowes, had ended the TV series with the Crawley family still comfortably ensconced at the Abbey in 1925, yet anxious about the future and the place of both master and servant in it. The film leaps ahead to 1927—sandwiched between the General Strike of 1926 and the Crash of 1929—two significant historical moments Fellowes seems determined to ignore. With only two hours, instead of an eight-episode season, to fill, he instead creates a fairly a- political event around which excitement and drama as well as humor, can be generated: the visit of King George V (Simon Jones) and Queen Mary (Geraldine James) to the Abbey, as part of a Royal tour of the country (based loosely on a tour stop the Royal couple actually made in 1912 to a different estate in South Yorkshire). The film's opening scene is reminiscent of Downton's inaugural TV episode—the telegram delivering the news of the Abbey's heir's death on the Titanic has now been replaced with a letter originating in London, headed by steam train, then bicycling postboy, to the Yorkshire estate, announcing the impending visit. The intricate workings of the postal service, followed by the days-long preparations of the feast, the proper laying of the table, and the dressing of the ladies of the Abbey, are just some of the period details intended to satiate our longing for an elegant bygone era. The staff are just as excited to be waiting on the Royal Family as the Earl (Hugh Bonneville) and his wife and daughters are to dine and dance with them, and when the former are told the King's servants will cook and serve the meal in their place, their disappointment is palpable. To modern viewers, the extra work might seem like a burden—wouldn't they enjoy a day off?—and only Daisy (Sophie McShera) utters anti-monarchist views but, not surprisingly, eventually gets caught up in the excitement herself. Mr. Molesley (Kevin Doyle), who since the series ended, has embarked on a teaching career, relishes his temporary return to service at the Abbey, providing corny comic relief over his faux pas of speaking directly to the Royals. With so many characters, it's impossible for the film to flesh out anyone's story line, but we get a few glimpses into some favorite characters: the Bates, now parents and finally without any legal battles hanging over their heads, are growing contentedly into...