Watch Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey is a period drama film released in 2019, directed by Michael Engler and written by Julian Fellowes. The film takes on the same setting and characters from the TV series of the same name, which aired from 2010 to 2015. The movie follows the lives of the Crawley family and their staff, as they prepare for a royal visit from King George V and Queen Mary to their estate, Downton Abbey.

The plot of the movie is set in 1927, a year after the events of the TV series. The Crawleys, headed by Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham (played by Hugh Bonneville), and his wife Cora Crawley (played by Elizabeth McGovern), are excited about the impending arrival of the royal family, despite the internal conflicts that arise within the family.

While on the staff side, Mr. Carson (Jim Carter), former butler of Downton, is called back from his retirement to assist with preparations for the royal visit, which serves as a great opportunity for former staff and coworkers to come together once again. The preparations are not only for the guests but the Downton household as a whole. Head cook Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nicol) coordinates with the kitchen staff to prepare fancy dishes, and footman Andy (Michael Fox) helps with decorating the premises.

As the staff gets together, they also encounter an obstinate and unfamiliar royal household team, led by Major Chetwode (Stephen Campbell Moore). This group's insistence on taking over operations at Downton Abbey does not sit well with Carson nor the staff but conflicts arise.

There are plenty of high tea moments and intricate interactions to be explored in this period drama. The shift towards modernism is developing, and the younger Crawleys, especially Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), are torn between moving forward and preserving traditional ways. The film explores this theme, along with loyalty, secrets, and the impact of change on family and the people who serve them.

Overall, one can expect an alluring display of grandeur and elegance from the costumes, architecture, and setting of the film. The cinematography captures the iconic view of Downton Abbey in its full glory, showcasing images of the gardens, the grand dining hall, and the personal spaces of the family, which are impressive. The score by John Lunn adds layers of sentimentality and elegance to the scenes.

Downton Abbey's greatest appeal is the way it captures the essence of the TV series, which successfully blends history and fictional soap opera. The movie successfully parallels the empathetic storytelling and endearing characters of the show, with the added bonus of everyone’s one-liners.

Ultimately, Downton Abbey is a beautiful reunion of beloved characters that every fan of the show deserves. However, non-followers of the show can still enjoy the movie, thanks to its beautiful execution and compelling drama. It shares the journey of the Crawleys and their loyal household staff in one nostalgic affair. Fans of the show should keep an eye out for a few surprise guest appearances and a heartbeat-raising climax.

Downton Abbey is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 64.