Movie: Downton Abbey (directed by Michael Engler)

1. Background
- The film was set in 1927, and revolves around King George V and Queen
Mary and their daughter Mary, the Princess Royal, staying with the
Crawley family at Downton in Yorkshire.
2. Social classes
- There is a class conflict within the film, but it is a muted intra-class
conflict with the downstairs members of Downton Abbey rebelling
against their counterparts in the royal entourage.
- As preparations get underway, members of the royal staff begin to arrive
at Downton Abbey ahead of the King and Queen’s visit, and it becomes
clear that they intend to take charge during the event – something about
which the Downton staffers are none too pleased.
- When they learn that the royals travel with their own set of retainers,
meaning that they won’t be waiting on the King and Queen, they get to
use their highly developed plotting and scheming skills against the
usurpers.
 At 58:12, Anna and Mr. Bates rally the Downton staff into retaking
control of Downton’s operations while the royal couple is still
visiting.
 At 1:04:18, Barrow and Ellis trick Mr. Wilson, the Page of the
Backstairs, into ordering some of the royal staff to return home to
London early.
 At 1:10:00, Anna slips a strong sedative into the tea of the royal
chef, Monsieur Courbet and Wilson is locked in his room while
changing clothes with a fever.
 At 1:11:24, Anna has surmised that Miss Lawton-the Queen’s
dresser, is stealing the house’s items and leverages her knowledge
of Lawton’s crimes to compel her to alter a gown for Lady
Hexham.
 At 1:15:20, the Downton staff, with the assistance of Mr Molesely
and Albert, manage the dinner that marks the end of the royal hits.
The revised menu elicits high praise from the King, which in turn
 prompts Molesely to break protocol and announce that it was the
Downton staff, not the royal staff, that produced it.
3. Public attitudes to the monarchy
- The film captured the widespread enthusiasm and devotion that people
had for the King and Queen and is celebration of the triumph of the
monarchy.
 At 50:11, people cheered and waves flags to welcome the parade
for the visit of the King and Queen.
4. References
- At the Movie: Downton Abbey (Elizabeth A. Dillenburg)
- The real history behind the Downton Abbey movie (Olivia B. Waxman)
- Downton Abbey: the Movie (June Thomas)
- Wikipedia