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Except for one scene that was totally unnecessary to get across the point of a matter,(could have been done with just lead up, not showing the gross kiss, which btw nearly ruined that actors career, and had much greater impact thru the implied meaning, it is excellent. I have no problem that one of the house servants is self described "different" and some of his tribulation dealing with that, this story is about real life. But it is a turn off to have it shoved in your face, which doesn't engage one to try to understand what that character feels, it causes one to disengage and reject that character. Especially when they made him a villain to the story. So what was the point? They left him with no soul, and made me have total disrespect and as zero sympathy for him. It could've been done where one would have opposite reaction, and that is unfortunate because these reactions transfer to real life. Otherwise, great soap opera with a higher level of superiority in entertainment. Not the normal smutty insignificant garbage. Good interesting well done series.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Gorgeously photographed and beautifully scored, this continuing drama (can I say soap opera?) takes us into the pre-WWI estate of Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), whose real name is Crawley, as well as his servants. Lord Grantham and his wife Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) have 3 daughters, Mary, Edith, and Sybil. Unfortunately for Lord Grantham, females cannot inherit in 1915 England. And when the story starts, the next-in-line male to inherit the title and the estate is killed in the sinking of the Titanic. Or was he? Thus, the next-in-line distant cousin is brought in to learn what his inheritance will be. Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) and his mother Isobel (Penelope Wilton) enter as suspicious characters but end up being beloved members of the extended family. In fact, the on-again off-again romance between daughter Mary and Matthew becomes the central conflict in the first series of this dvd. I would be horribly remiss if I did not mention Lord Grantham's mother, Lady Violet, played magnificently by Maggie Smith. She steals every scene that she is present in. Her facial expressions and dialogue are both hilarious and heartwarming. She is an excellent choice for this role. The downstairs crew is fabulous too. We have the butler Carson, and his female assistant Mrs. Hughes. But the main heartthrobs are the ladies' maid Anna and Lord Grantham's valet, Mr. Bates. They have a troubled, heartwarming romance as well. You will be engaged thoroughly in each character's story. What can I say about an ensemble story in which you become interested in each and every character? Plus you will become entranced with the times in which all these people lived. England at this time is an additional character. We hilariously watch them being introduced to electricity and telephones and new medical treatments. And the coming war is chatted about until it actually happens as the cliffhanger ending to the first year. You will not be disappointed by watching this dvd. In fact, you will hurriedly get the second dvd. It is really that good!Read full review
DVD is new and a good value. Downton Abbey is a drama and also has good English humor. I am watching it for the second time!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Not since "Upstairs Downstairs" have I been so engaged with a series! I bought seasons 1-5 for a friend who has never seen it but loves period pieces.I know she'll love watching. (Maggie Smith's performance alone is worth the price!)
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Purchased for my spouse who loves the Downton Abbey series. Her collection was missing seasons 1 & 3. Now she has them all. I got to be a hero at a very modest price.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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