BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey

Subject: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 05:10 AM

Maggie Smith didn't have many lines to say in the final episode but every one was a gem. May buy the DVD so we can watch again without all the hideous adverts. I think there were 6 advert breaks each of 5 minutes during the 90 minute episode.

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Newport Boy
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 06:50 AM

Hmm! I was half watching while doing the crossword. I'd go along with John Crace's review in the Guardian

Phil

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 07:20 AM

I liked maggie Smith better, when she was a young and sexy irish girl in that biopic of Sean O'Casey.

It was called Young Cassidy. lets hope in the next series of Downton Abbey a stray incendiary bomb falls on the place in the second world war destroying the place and dispatching all the miserable sods within, and Jim carter crawls out of the wreckage tugging his forelock.

Very good, m'lud!

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 09:16 AM

Maggie Smith: "Bloody amazing"

to quote Ron Weasley!

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 09:41 AM

We've only been able to see season one over here, but found the comments in the above link a treat to read!

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 10:27 AM

If you must read the guardian then I suppose that sort of review is to be expected.

I did half expect Bates in bed with new wife to say " I think we'll give notice and move over to Candleford"!!! and a few more !!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: BTNG
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 10:35 AM

"Absurd acting, preposterous plotlines – what started as upstairs-downstairs costume drama ended as pure comedy"

sounds like most British costume dramas to me

portraying an England that never really was, but which many of the right wing wish did exist

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 12:43 PM

I think her best role was in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. She always plays the same character though, Professor McGonegal in Harry Potter is just Miss Jean Brodie all over again, with wrinkles.

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: BTNG
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 01:16 PM

She was hilarious as the Michael Palin's character's wife in A Private Function!

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 03:10 PM

On Detroit PBS last night I watched "Page Eight." At the conclusion there was an announcement that "Downton Abbey would be repeated on Masterpiece in December, and that a new part would follow in January.

Maggie Smith is always superb, but the series is not one of the better ones offered over the years, and soon will be forgotten.

"Upstairs, Downstairs" was excellent; as drama and social history of a class and their servants. Downton Abbey is a bit of fluff in comparison.

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: BTNG
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 03:48 PM

apparently there will be a third season to be broadcast next year.

"ITV confirmed the commissioning of a third series on 3 November 2011. It will enter production in early 2012, and air from September 2012"

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 04:00 PM

Pretty enough to look at, and quite fun to watch. But lazy writing and lazy plotting.

A bit reminiscent of Ripping Yarns. Of course that was meant to be funny.

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 07:57 AM

Jim Carter is also excellent as Carson the butler. He was in The Mysteries at the National Theatre in 1985 and 2000.

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: greg stephens
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 08:23 AM

That chauffeur's going to get a bullet at Beal na Blath with Michael Collins, mark my words.

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: greg stephens
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 08:34 AM

And the chauffeur's Mrs(forget her name) will be elected to the house of commons but refuse to take her seat, like Countess Markiewicz.She will also be a leading feminist writer,start a women's cricket teram, fly solo round the world, be very passionate about everyting and follow best practise by being very nice to her servants.

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 08:41 AM

I would take this opportunity to recommend Julian Fellowes' novel Snobs [2004], a most readable little satirical novel about how the Downton world had adapted and adjusted to the 1990s. Sharper and more focused than Downton, which, tho I enjoy it greatly, I recognise as somewhat melodramatic, contrived, and diffuse.

It is of course a world Lord Fellowes, a public school & Cambridge actor and writer, knows from the inside.

Anyone else read it? Like it?

~Michael~

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: BTNG
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 10:22 AM

"Pretty enough to look at, and quite fun to watch. But lazy writing and lazy plotting."

when I ask someone to pass the salt, I don't require a history of salt-mining along with it.

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 10:29 AM

Julian Fellowes' novel Snobs [2004] on my Christmas list!

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 11:32 AM

I remember seeing Maggie Smith at Stratfor-on Avon) in the RSC's production of Marlowe's Dr. Faustus. She played Helen of Troy who Faustus demands to meet as part of his pact with Mephistophples. When she appeared, she was naked, painted silver. Can you imagine the din that hundreds of coins going into opera glasses release slots made? The cast never batted an eyelid, so guess it was a regular occurence!

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 05:34 PM

The real Downton Abbey:
Highclere Castle


Maggie Smith is superb in whatever role she plays. Wonderful actress.
I *love* Downton Abbey, but I agree those adverts are a pain in the butt. It's normally the BBC who make programmes like this, so having to have adverts..and that bloomin' insurance company sponsorship adverts at the end and beginning of every slot, on top of the adverts, was enough to make you want to ARRRRRRGHHHHH! at times... :0)

I can't wait for the next series..

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 07:47 AM

We normally watch from our freesat hard disc, so can fast forward the adverts. However we watched the finale off air, and I agree that the adverts are a pain - at least 30 minutes worth, I left the room each time.

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 12:56 PM

BTW, Bonzo, re your Xmas list ~ to avoid misunderstanding or any bugs in obtaining the book, [2004] is not part of the title, but the original publication date. The novel is simply called "Snobs".

Hope you enjoy it ~ let me know in due course, perhaps? I am just giving it a several-th reread.

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 09 Nov 11 - 12:58 PM

Thanks

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 08:41 AM

when I ask someone to pass the salt, I don't require a history of salt-mining along with it.

But you do expect pure salt that isn't damp. Basic housekeeping.

What I mean by "lazy" is, just for example, when it came to a mention of the Easter Rising the chauffeur explains that he didn't get involved in it because it only lasted six weeks. In fact it only lasted six days. Hardly a difficult thing to get right, which would have actually helped make his remark more plausible, and so helped the plot.

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 09:12 AM

Not important if it entertains the masses which it does!

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 09:34 AM

It is important Bonzo. My watchword is ever

ACCURACY MATTERS

~~ especially if 'the masses' [whomever you might denote by that somewhat patronising-sounding term] are involved. It does matter if many people are misled merely in the name of 'entertainment' into an inaccurate knowledge of such facts as the duration of the Easter Rising of 1916, when proper research can ensure that the facts are accurately presented.

I know that someone of my acquaintance denounced me on another forum as possessed of 'legendary pedantry'. But, just as Kingsley Amis's Lucky Jim Dixon based his being on the principle that nice things are nicer than nasty ones, I would urge that it is essential to remember that right things are righter than wrong ones.

That is not pedantry: it is the maintenance of decent standards.

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 09:50 AM

"The masses" I refer to are those who sit glued to their TVs every night, whatever is on, many of whom have never heard of or even care about the Easter Rising.

Since when has TV ever maintained decent standards - the inane drivel on the 30 minutes or so of adverts during Sunday's broadcast is proof of that!!

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: BTNG
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 09:51 AM

Bonzo, like all traditional conservatives, prefers to keep the masses sedated and behaving themselves and to know their place, and if bad television is the way to go, so be it

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 09:54 AM

"Proper research" is overstating what is needed. All it would have taken is someone who knows how to Google with a copy of the script and an evening to spare. And an author with a minimum of respect for his viewers and the actors.

The point isn't that this kind of thing, together with the clumsy plotting, stops it from being entertaining throwaway TV, but that with a bit of love and attention it could have been something outstanding that would be remembered for years, and seen as a standard of quality against which other dramas would be measured.
............................

Incidentally, anyone (in the UK) who finds the adverts annoying can avoid them by watching the catchup version.

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 09:59 AM

Lost cause BTNG I'm afraid!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: BTNG
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 10:26 AM

Too bad for you and the rest of the conservatives, just like the grocer's daughter from Grantham we the masses didn't know our place, I'm afraid *LOL*

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 10:35 AM

You said it not me!!

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: BTNG
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 10:38 AM

Oh I am proud to of the commoners...get used to it.

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 10:46 AM

There's nothing wrong with messing up the history or using language in a way that out of period. Drama isn't about historical accuracy as such. And they aren't about plausibility either.

But distortioins like that ought to be intentional, as a way of telling a particular story story in a particular way. They shouldn't sneak in because the author is too lazy to get it right.

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 11:27 AM

Good.............next.....

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 12:42 PM

···"Proper research" is overstating what is needed. All it would have taken is someone who knows how to Google with a copy of the script and an evening to spare.···

That would be proper research, Kevin. What else would you call it~?

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 01:55 PM

True enough, the same way that opening a dictionary is "proper research" when it comes to getting the spelling right. It's just that the words sounds scarily like it involves doing something too demanding, to some people...

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 03:29 PM

Maybe ~~ but it is the programme makers' researchers into historical background we are talking of. If they are scared of doing proper research, they are in the wrong job!

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: BTNG
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 03:54 PM

Take a re-look, if your stomach is strong enough, at Lark Rise to Candleford, that was a hopeless mess (lack of research again), and I swore I heard Flora Thompson moaning somewhere near by.

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 10 Nov 11 - 10:43 PM

Disagree! Accuracy is bollocks. Perhaps Robin Hood had different coloured tights to Errol Flynn.

However DA is crap.

Some confections are not to my taste. DA is the like the marzipam of the historical drama world.. I'd probably eat it, if it were the last chocolate in the box. but that's my eating disorder speaking. The real me thinks its horrendous.

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 12:49 AM

Well, Al ~~ next time you have a prescription for any sort of ailment, let's hope the physician & the pharmacist don't have quite the same cavalier ["bollocks"] attitude to accuracy as you have, shall we?

〠~M~〠

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 03:44 AM

Medical practice is one thing. Historical drama is another. And daft bodice rippers (like DA) and enjoyable escapism is yet a third.

Every John Dillinger movie really offends me at some point - usually when J Edgar Hoover's fib machine can still be seen to be alive and kicking. But on the other hand, I am glad that these legengary characters walk again.

How would Shakespeare ever have come to the stage if we had been so picky about facts. And treasure Island, was there ever a pirate captain whose men spoke with the poetry of Stevenson's language.

Prosaic facts have their place. Let's leave them in their rightful places.

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 04:31 AM

Lark Rise to Candleford, that was a hopeless mess - it certainly was on TV. They never referred to the "sun fair blazin' " once!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 04:43 AM

Shakespeare derived from other writers like Herodotus & Holinshed who were a bit cavalier with their facts ~~ and aimed more for dramatic effect even when the truth was known. I till think, tho, that it's a pity that Macbeth should be remembered as an insidious henpecked regicide, when he fairly won the throne in battle, and it was in fact Holinshed's account of Donwald's murder of King Duff on which Shax based his version: an unpardonable stain on the memory of MacBheatha mac Fhionnlaigh, one of the best of late medieval Scottish kings. Which does not diminish my view of Macbeth as probably the world's greatest-ever play -- but that is a separate argument.

Now that we have more reliable research facilities, and the means to access them, I see no reason for inaccuracies to be perpetuated. It's all of a piece with that colour-sergeant addressed by his captain as "Sergeant-Major" at the beginning of Brideshead, or the 'Brigadier' in a recently rerun Foyle's War with the insignia of a major-general - but without the crown at that! ~ what were the 'military advisors' to those programmes supposed to be doing to earn their money? ~ All enough to make anyone who knows better want to throw up.

I mean, what's such a great deal about getting things wrong when you can get them right? How does it improve the dramatic effect of Downton A [whatever one may think of the series aesthetically] to leave the viewer with the vague idea that a specific historic event [the Easter Rising of 1916] went on for weeks whereas it actually lasted for less than a week? In what way does this inaccuracy trump he desirability of accuracy ~~

which, I say again, MATTERS.

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Will Fly
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 04:50 AM

M'Lady: "Jeeves..."

Jeeves: "Yes, M'Lady?"

M'Lady: "Take off my dress..."

Jeeves: "Certainly M'Lady."

M'Lady: "Oh - and Jeeves - "

Jeeves: "Yes, M'Lady?"

M'Lady: "Take off my bra and panties..."

Jeeves: "Of course, M'Lady."

M'Lady: "And Jeeves - "

Jeeves: "Yes, M'Lady?"

M'Lady: "Don't let me catch you wearing them again!"

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 11:28 AM

I've just remembered one reason why Downton Abbey somehow seemed familiar. A BBC series (from the same stable as Dad's Army and Hi-di-Hi) called You Rang M'Lord. Here is an extract.   Perhaps the main difference from Downton Abbey is that they included a laughter track...

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Alan Day
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 12:18 PM

Well I enjoyed both series and I shall look forward to the Xmas special (something for some of you to sneer at) and the next series. Millions have switched it on and enjoyed it(apart from the adverts),trust some of you Mudcatters to ridicule it. If you do not enjoy something for goodness sake turn it off and watch something you do like.Do you sit there with your note pads writing down errors etc ? Why not lighten up some of you.
To go back to the original subject, Maggie Smith did a lovely job.one of her looks would freeze your cornflakes over.
Al (one of the masses on occasions)

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 12:58 PM

Saying something is a bit ridiculous isn't the same as saying you didn't enjoy it - even if the ridiculousness wasn't intended.

Maybe Alan might be the one who needs to lighten up...

Subject: RE: BS: Maggie Smith superb in Downton Abbey
From: Alan Day
Date: 11 Nov 11 - 05:23 PM

I was not referring to you McGrath, certain inaccuracies are annoying when you spot them, particularly recent sayings, or words used in conversation on period drama's. This does not spoil my enjoyment of a programme. In general the acting has been superb, the plot, rushed, but interesting.
Enjoyable to me and Lizzie and millions of others. A question of taste, just like Folk Music.
Al