Director: Simon Curtis
Screenplay: Julian Fellowes
Starring: Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, Paul Giamatti, Elizabeth McGovern, Penelope Wilton
Country: United Kingdom / United States
Running Time: 124 minutes
Year: 2025
This month sees the release of Downton Abbey: The Drinking Game. Sorry, I mean, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. Just take a shot every time someone refers to the dearly departed Dowager. I warn you, it’s about once per scene, I swear Lord Robert has mummy issues.
Of course, any right-minded person misses the great Dame Maggie Smith. And while she was the best thing about Downton, it’s not quite fair to say she cast that long a shadow. This cast and crew are very good at what they do.
It’s a paradox, because what they do on the whole is not great. Especially not these Holiday On The Buses films. The whole series was the very definition of safe and cosy, but they always knew their audience and stuck to the brief. For that, they should be commended. Just as the inhabitants of the great house never quite had to live outside their societal bubble, so their audience would never really have to suffer either. But there was always more fizz to the original run.
Still, Lady Sybil’s untimely death was about as committed as the series got to rattling the nerves of its Sunday night viewers. Ok, Matthew’s fatal fender bender was a cliffhanger, but, by and large, Downton reliably pulled every punch. Remember the facially scarred cousin? The rightful heir who quite literally wandered off rather than kick out the family. Or Bates’ reprieve from the gallows by a mere change of heart. There’s so many more.
The series always merely dallied with utter disaster and existential threats to the family’s status quo in the face of marching modernisation, without changing a thing. Indeed, this third film finds everyone ticking along as normal. Lady Mary’s recent divorce is cramping her style. Well, slightly. “This is not who I am”, she protests, some time into her latest shenanigans. Six seasons in, Lady Mary, it’s exactly who you are, literally hiding bodies from the first episode. Mind you, it sets up the best line, a killer gag from sister Edith.
The other main plot is the family coffers disappearing. Paul Giamatti’s Uncle Harold has gambled with Cora’s inheritance, but these films are so soft, the extent of damage seems limited to whether they can renovate some cottages or not. The toothless villain is dealt with far too quickly, even by Downton standards and again, he kind of wanders off, rather than pressing an advantage.
Tom remains the token working class infiltrator, and as usual, he’s the hero. It’s interesting how the privileged way of life for his in-laws hangs on him. Meanwhile, Robert is considering retiring and moving out of the big house. He’s horrified by the idea of a flat; obviously, it’s huge, but he’s incredulous at living within a “layer cake of strangers”.
In a film invested in the perils of privilege and nepotism, even that’s a heck of a hot take. That, of course, is what we’re here for though. The Downton narrative engine is a bit light these days, but still efficient to a fault. The generous runtime is really dependent on how long any one character resists making a decision; you can see the path set in stone. The fun comes from seeing these much loved characters following through on their destiny. Or not, as the case may be.
Grand finale? Well, the last scene is a very well done slice of sentimental indulgence, but nothing has really changed. For fans of the series, it remains a happy place.
EXTRAS
- Changing Times – Cast and filmmakers discuss how the changing times of the era helped lay the groundwork for the characters’ happy endings while providing audiences with the optimism that they will continue on successfully into the modern world.
- Society Season – DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE takes audiences along as the Crawleys participate in the London season, a traditional period of prestigious events in British high society. Here, the cast and filmmakers explore the details of how these events come together throughout the film.
- Lady Petersfield’s Ball
- Ascot Race
- The County Show
- Authentic to the Core – The cast, filmmakers, and historical advisor Alastair Bruce reveal the work and details that went into bringing historical authenticity to the film.
- A Farewell to Fans – The cast and filmmakers share heartfelt messages expressing their immense gratitude for the fans’ unwavering support and love for the franchise.
- DOWNTON ABBEY Celebrates THE GRAND FINALE – Hugh Bonneville invites the entire cast of DOWNTON ABBEY to a high-tea celebration of their global hit franchise. The beloved stars share stories, confessions, and music as they bring their DOWNTON journey to a close with a toast to the third and final film, including a world-exclusive scene.
- Feature Commentary with Director Simon Curtis and Actress Elizabeth McGovern
