Article - What if Downton Abbey told the truth about Britain?

[Pauline]

A very good article in the Guardian that sums up why I don't like the ITV TV show "Downton Abbey".

The Guardian - What if Downton Abbey told the truth about Britain?, by Polly Toynbee, 22 December 2014
The period detail is impeccable but the series is a far cry from the brutal reality of upper-class attitudes

 

[Pauline]

Just when I decide I can't stand Downton, they release a very funny video to raise money for charity and to make fun of themselves. It is a 9 minute video (in two parts) with the Downton crew, Joanna Lumley, George Clooney (an honorary Brit now) and the series writer Julien Fellows.

Downton Abbey Christmas Appeal video

 

[Chris]

I loved that funny video!

 

[Roz]

PBS did a series called Manor House, which I thought did a pretty good job of showing more of the reality of the life dramatized in Downton Abbey. It was one of those series where they got modern-day people to volunteer to take on the roles of people living in a house similar to that in Downton Abbey. Some of the people who were "servants" quit part way through because they could not take the reality of what servants had to do and how they were treated in those days. Also, the people playing the aristocrats (especially, as I recall, the woman in the role of the lady of the house) became totally obnoxious, lording it over the servants and reveling in their upper-class positions. I think that series probably gave a much more realistic view of what life would have been like then. Those in the US can get that series on Netflix -- not sure about availability in the UK. Maybe it was originally on BBC -- I don't know.

That said, I do still enjoy Downton Abbey, just as a soap opera, and because there is some really excellent acting in the series.

 

[Pauline]

There was a good profile of Maggie Smith, who is the best thing about Downton IMO, in the paper:

The Guardian Profile - Maggie Smith: from Desdemona to Downton – a career of comic precision, by Emine Saner, 26 December 2014

 

[Chris]

I love Maggie Smith! And I totally agree she's the best thing about Downton Abbey. I'm not sure I'd continue to watch it if it weren't for her.