MovieChat Forums > Downton Abbey (2011) Discussion > I hope everybody here's aware of GOSFORD...

I hope everybody here's aware of GOSFORD PARK, the blueprint for DA!

posted 8 years ago by afn
9 replies | jump to latest

In 2001, DA creator Julian Fellowes wrote this ensemble film set in 1932 England, the movie GOSFORD PARK, directed by Robert Altman. It's an early blueprint or sort of "prequel" to everything DA would be 9 years later, including:

*DAME MAGGIE SMITH! - essentially playing the same role, the witty old lady...

*JEREMY SWIFT! - who we all know and love as Spratt, Lady Violet's butler...

So everybody out there who now loves DOWNTON ABBEY, go see the original precursor feature film!

[–] jase-prasad 8 years ago

Agreed, I only watched 1 episode of DAbbey.

Watching GPark back then served me the deterrent needed to stay away from DAbbey; both are examples of middle England in all its excesses and total removal from the real world turning under our feet. Its typical pomposity may appeal to lovers of fantasy England, attracting those unfamiliar with contemporary British life but those who long for a bygone era, and therefore hark back to utter drivel of yesteryear that is neither relevant, purposeful and above all entertaining. As such the lacklustre behind the irrelevant and purposeless nature of GPark and DAbbey make for extremely boring viewing. Yawn inducing to the point of unconsciousness, I'd say.

There are far higher and smarter levels of entertainment value offered from the same period. Mamet's The Winslow Boy and Remains of the Day starring Hopkins are two such films that come to mind; the writing is excellent, production values high and performances are award winning. Both films are vastly superior to GPark and DAbbey

[–] nyctc7 8 years ago

I'm a big fan of Gosford Park and Remains of the Day. I wouldn't say one is better than the other, just different.

Count me a fan of watching stuff about the bygone aristocracy and the days of white tie at dinner and an army of servants, but I agree with your sentiment that I most likely wouldn't actually want to be around such people. It was all probably much more boring than portrayed on screen. And the people far snobbier and snarky, if they only showed that who would want to watch. (Oh wait...I just described a reality show.)

Edited to add: There are two Upstairs, Downstairs episodes "A Change of Scene" and "The Bolter" which take place at a Country Great House and shows the vapid conversation, boredom, self centeredness, et al which could be upperclass life.

[–] tomcervo 8 years ago

JF has mentioned this several times as another inspiration for DA. A harsher view, more like Gosford Park. Brilliant cast headed by James Mason.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBUYXskGylI
See it while it's up.

[–] SaliceMcD 8 years ago

Yes; Maggie Smith played a(nother) dowager countess, IIRC.

[–] simplyshiny 8 years ago

I actually just rewatched this the other night. Such a good movie

___

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

Awesome, thanks for the recommendation.

[–] liscarkat (18605) 4 years ago

I'm aware that there was a stunningly boring film called "Gosford Park" that was also about wealthy people and servants in Britain in the early twentieth century. There have been dozens of such films and television dramas during the past century. Quite a few actors and actresses have been in more than one of them. "Downton Abbey" is different from "Gosford Park", and far superior.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

You don't know how to watch an Altman film.

[–] whoanelly (1587) 3 years ago

lol I think you’re onto something.

I love Downton Abbey, but that doesn’t mean I am in denial about its shortcomings. It’s an overhyped soap opera that started out with a great premise but went downhill pretty quickly once its popularity demanded the story get stretched out beyond the three seasons that were initially planned.

The superb acting performances of the cast are what saved it from really stinking all those years. They did all the heavy lifting and made up for Fellowes terrible story arcs.