Downton Abbey: Season 1-5

DVD Wholesale Quick Overview:

This British drama is about a fictional aristocratic family, the Crawleys, their fictional estate, Downton Abbey, and their servants in Edwardian England in the early 20th Century. The show begins with the household awakening on a beautiful April morning in 1912, to the tragic news of the sinking of the Titanic. The first five seasons take us through the next dozen years of life at the estate, with season 5 ending in 1924. Like the show itself, this Blu-ray set is exceptional.
I can’t recall the last time, if ever, that I’ve been so impressed with a television show. The only negative is that the seasons contain less than 10 episodes each, just leaving you thirsting for more. Not to mention, the 6th season will be the last.
Everything about this show is absolutely first rate and is, without a doubt, the finest television show I’ve ever seen. The writing, the directing, the set designs, the costume designs, and most of all, the acting, are all exceptional. Hats off to the creator and writer, Julian Fellowes, and of course, the wonderful job done by the historical advisor, Alastair Bruce. I cannot think of another television show that has such a large cast of primary characters. While many of the actors may be familiar to British audiences, the only ones I am familiar with are Maggie Smith and Elizabeth McGovern, yet every single one of them give tremendous, believable performances, bringing their respective characters to life, no matter how big or small the role. The acting is done with absolute precision, making their characters feel genuinely alive.
I’ve enjoyed this drama so much that I’ve actually watched the entire five seasons, from beginning to end, three times. While I eagerly await the release of the 6th season in January, 2016, it is also with a heavy heart because I know it will be the final season. It just leaves me hungry for more of the trials and tribulations of these fictional characters. It’s just a shame that a quality show such as this will come to an end after 6 short seasons, while much more shallow shows run for 15 to 20 seasons.
This is fictional television at its absolute finest. I would rate this show 10 stars, if that were possible.

-raja99

The problem with this set is that at least three episodes have been mis-edited for the set. For example, in the episode where the Dowager Countess goes to visit the Russian prince, the scene has been blocked out backwards. First we see the conversation, then we see her arriving at his rooms with her Lady’s Maid, then we see her searching for his rooms. This mistake is repeated in three other episodes and although you can make sense out of it…especially for those of us who have seen it…it’s not easy. The quality of the discs is wonderful and I believe the price very reasonable, but the editing mistakes are terribly obvious and serve to pull one out of the story at the worst possible moments.

– Brahman

I admit to being late to the Downton Abbey phenomenon having watched the finale but none of the prior episodes. I wanted to get an entire 6 seasons series but had to get this set and then the final season separate. I was a little reluctant to purchase this due to reviews citing missing or defective disks. I have to say that my set has proven to be intact and in good condition.

Regarding the quality of the show itself, I must say that the hype was not hyperbole. It is simply one of the best television dramas I’ve ever viewed. I have always been interested in period dramas whether it be Pride and Prejudice (1995 version), The Tudors, or Downton Abbey. This series was excellent regarding the drama of the family and servants featured in the series but the thing that struck me is how it left me nostalgic for a time in which I never lived. I came away thinking how nice it might be to live in that age….if you were aristocratic or at least affluent. The less fortunate did not live lives of luxury but in this show where the family is quite benevolent toward its servants and tenants they work quite hard but this family at least treat them with respect and dignity. The family as well as servants are show navigating a rapidly changing world where technology, medicine, economics, politics and social traditions and customs are all changing…..so rapidly that it must have made the people’s heads spin. As the Countess says, “we all hate change but we must learn to live with it.” But it also was a time where manners were still important which is sadly missing in our world today. It also was a time when village life was common although many trips to the big city are featured. But the village life is as appealing as is the lifestyle and traditions of the day. I was very happy with this purchase and will re-watch it many times.

– Kathy Edens

DVD Wholesale Main Features:

Actors: Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Jessica Brown Findlay, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter
Directors: .
Format: Multiple Formats, Color, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English
Subtitles: English
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)
Number of discs: 15
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: PBS HOME VIDEO
DVD Release Date: October 27, 2015
Run Time: 3013 minutes