‘Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale’ – A Fond Farewell

Last month, I was invited to a special screening of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. As a big fan of the franchise, I was thrilled to attend!

Downton Abbey the TV series premiered in the UK in 2010 and made its way to America via PBS in 2011. The show ran for six seasons. Writer and producer Julian Fellowes went on to develop two movies and Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale serves as the third in the trilogy.

It’s the 1930s and the Crawley family and their staff are faced with scandal, economic instability, and social changes.

In addition to the Crawleys and their downstairs servants, familiar faces like Guy Dexter (Dominic West) and Thomas Barrow (played by Robert James-Collier) make a return.

DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE, the cinematic return of the global phenomenon, follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. When Mary finds herself at the center of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble, the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawleys must embrace change as the staff prepares for a new chapter with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future.

You’ll see Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) work through his conflicted feelings regarding his approaching retirement and passing of the torch to his eldest daughter.

With Lady Violet gone (but not forgotten), it’s up to Lady Edith Hexham (Laura Carmichael) to provide the snarky one-liners, often directed at Lady Mary’s expense.

This final movie is a celebration of the past 15 years and it’s the perfect (albeit bittersweet) ending to the film trilogy and television series!

If you’re a fan of Downton Abbey, I encourage you to see this in a movie theater. From the costumes, to seeing Highclere Castle on the big screen, and hearing the sweeping music of the movie score – it’s all meant to be enjoyed with an audience of fans!

Speaking of Downton Abbey enthusiasts, I watched an early screening with other fans. Emcee Grae Drake hosted a Downton Abbey themed trivia game, attendees got to participate in tea tasting (courtesy of Republic of Tea), and Allen Leech (aka Tom Branson) introduced the movie. See the short video below!

@realmomofsfv

Last month, I was invited to a special screening of @Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, where 🎤 emcee Grae Drake and Allen Leech (aka Tom Branson) introduced the movie. 👑 Before the opening credits rolled, we had a tea tasting (courtesy of @The Republic of Tea), took fun photos in the lobby, and participated in a Downton Abbey themed trivia game! 🇬🇧 About the movie…it’s the 1930s and the Crawley family and their staff are faced with scandal, economic instability, and social changes. Are they able to adapt to the shifts in society? You’ve got to see it to find out! However, I will tell you that my friend and I loved it. It was the perfect ending to the film trilogy and television series! 🎬 Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale opens in theaters everywhere on Friday, September 12th! #FocusFeatures #hosted #DowntonAbbeyTheGrandFinale #GraeDrake #AllenLeech

♬ solitude – unknown self

Thanks, Focus Features and Carnival Films for the invite to this amazing event!

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale opens in theaters everywhere on Friday, September 12th!

“Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” is rated PG.
Visit the official movie website here for more information.

Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. I attended an advanced screening of the movie which helped facilitate this write-up. Images shown in this post are used with permission. As always, my opinions are 100% my own.