Downton Abbey Season 5
DVD Wholesale Quick Overview:
Rejoin the Crawley family for a fifth season of intimately interlaced stories centered on the English country estate.
This year’s Downton Abbey treat takes us to 1924 and is set against the background of the UK’s first socialist government having just been elected and Lord Grantham rightly suspects that they have no sympathy for him and his ilk. Many of the story lines of Series 4 and earlier are immediately picked up and Downton certainly hits the ground running.
The recurring theme of Series 5 is romance – past romance, present romance and the promise of future romance. There is plenty of it around, and sometimes in quite unexpected quarters, but I will not expand further on this theme as I certainly would not want to spoil the surprises for anybody! However, although romantic relationships are probably the dominant ingredient this time round there are plenty of other dramatic and unexpected developments to entertain.
The incomparable Maggie Smith continues to dominate whenever she appears, her caustic and witty comments superbly delivered. The good news is that she makes plenty of appearances in this series and more of the story lines involve her. Julian Fellowes, the writer, clearly appreciates how important she is to Downton.
One thing I particularly like about this show is the detailed research which has clearly gone into making it all as authentic to the period as possible. Hairstyles, clothes, accessories, cars and all the other props are absolutely right. Even less tangible issues such as the general attitude of the staff has clearly undergone a change with the passing of time. They are not nearly so deferential as they were when Downton started in 1912!
If you are already a lover of Downton Abbey then you are really going to appreciate this series which, to my mind, is stronger than Series 4. If you have not tried it yet, well, buy the box set to date and get started! You don’t know what you are missing. As an added bonus it has now been announced that there will be a Series 6 for Downton.
As a final thought, although this series will be issued earlier on DVD in the UK, it is best to wait for this set as this will include the Xmas Special episode, but the set issued in the UK will not. Apart from that the content will be the same.
– Brett H
Season 5 is as 5-star excellent as the previous 4. Julian Fellowes is a true genius, having created Downton and each of its characters. His quality never flags. He has written the complete series. His characters each have such distinct personalities, good qualities and obvious flaws. However, and this is where so many authors fail, his characters are not one dimensional. You find yourself despising some only to feel later such empathy for them. Some, on which you are lukewarm, become ones you love. The staff who serve are among the most colorful and their lives are every bit as compelling as those they serve. All the characters continue to grow, some more willing than others to accept the changes occurring in England from the 1900’s through the 1930’s. The casting is also perfect. Just as one cannot conceive of anyone except Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh in Gone With the Wind, so it is with , Mr. Carson, Mary, Robert, Mrs. Hughes, Daisy and so many others which include the incomparable Maggie Smith as the matriarch, Violet. Please begin with Season 1. it will take you exactly 1 episode to be hooked and then, let the binge watching begin.
– SpittinKitten
DVD Wholesale Main Features :
Actors: Laura Carmichael, Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith, Jim Carter Hugh Bonneville
Directors: .
Format: Multiple Formats, Color, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English
Subtitles: English
Dubbed: English
Region: Region 1
Number of discs: 3
Rated: PG Parental Guidance Suggested
Studio: PBS
DVD Release Date: January 27, 2015
Run Time: 525 minutes
ASIN: B00MO21WAY
