BLU-RAY REVIEW

Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture

Featured In Issue 246, December 2019

Picture5
Sound5
WSR Score5
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Universal Studios Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
62209648
(MPAA Rating):
PG
(Rating Reason):
Thematic elements, some suggestive material, and language
(Retail Price):
$34.98
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
121
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
12/17/2019
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Michael Engler
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 7.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):

Based on the television series, "Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture" sees the original cast return, alongside a host of newcomers. The movie chronicles the Crawley family one year after the conclusion of the series, as they prepare for the most important moment of their lives: an impending visit from the Royal Family. The special visit unleaches scandal, romance and intrigue on the family and its staff members. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Director Michael Engler; eight deleted scenes (HD 05:33), cast conversations in roundtable interviews (HD 16:54); five featurettes: "The Royal Visit" (HD 03:15), "True To The Twenties" (HD 02:15), "Welcome To Downton Abbey" (HD 02:47), "The Brilliance Of Julian Fellowes" (HD 02:14) and "Downton Abbey Series Recap" (HD 10:09); upfront previews and a Movies Anywhere digital copy.

The 2.39:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, upconverted to 2160p with greater resolution and luminance, was photographed digitally using the Sony CineAlta camera system and sourced from a 2K master Digital Intermediate format. Color fidelity is absolutely gorgeous with rich and warm hues throughout. Primaries are strong and vivid. Everything, both exteriors and interiors, appears elegantly realistic with wonderful accurate hues. Ben Smithard's cinematography is stunning. Textural color and lighting enhances the realism of object textures and clothing fabrics. Fleshtones are accurate throughout and reveal subtle gradations of complexions. Contrast is superb, exhibiting deep blacks, revealing shadow delineation and natural light and lighting effects. Resolution is excellent throughout. The finest detail is revealed in environmental settings, interiors, objects, clothing and all manner of facial detail, such as lines, skin pores, hair, and light stubble. This is a spectacular and lavish reference-quality visual experience. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 7.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding throughout with precise attention to nuances. John Lunn's sweeping orchestral score is frontal focused and provides perfect scene adherence. The score is wonderful and at times powerful, with a very wide and deep soundstage that extends to provide strong surround envelopment. Foley sound effects are impressively precise and realistic throughout and serve as a prime sound element. Atmospherics also enhance the realism of the settings. The village parade is spectacular with marching band and horses marching. Sound effects are at times powerful such as the steam train engine puffing white smoke while blowing whistle sounds in the opening scene. A powerful thunder and rain storm sound dynamic and enveloping throughout the soundfield. Deep bass enhances the dynamics of the sound effects with extension to sub-25 Hz. Dialogue is the primary sound element and is intelligible throughout with excellent spatial integration. This is a wonderfully articulate holosonic® soundtrack experience of reference quality. (Gary Reber)