I feel that anyone who loves Gosford Park MUST get the DVD for the two commentaries. I have always been curious about how the British "great houses" worked, and Julian Fellowes, who is a "poor relation" to an aristocrat family (although he isn't poor now!), lays it out quite well. Setting it in the 1930s is genius because not only was that the heyday of the Agatha Christie type murder mystery, it was also after WWI and the Roaring Twenties, which both shook the class system to its foundations, but before WWII, which pretty much destroyed the aristocracy and ended the great house system.
Concerning Downton Abbey: I highly recommend the first season. It shows how the great houses went from their pinnacle at the end of the Victorian era, and how they navigated new technology like electricity and the telephone. It also shows how their labor supply was starting to be lured away by new opportunities in the cities. Unfortunately, the later seasons are less compelling, partly because Julian Fellowes never knew if the show would be renewed for another season, and partly because the audience (mostly the Americans) were more interested in love affairs than they were in historical realism. There is far, far too much friendship between the classes for historical accuracy.

My brother recommended this movie to me years ago. I remember after watching it thinking, it's not about the murder at all but rather the upstairs/downstairs dynamic. I absolutely loved it, especially Maggie Smith being brilliant as always. I've watched it many times since (have the DVD of course) and enjoy it every time. Well cast, exceptionally written, and wonderfully acted. A fun watch always. You did a great job reviewing and summarizing it.

Altman's films do need multiple viewings, they're complex and every character has their own history and motivation and complex relationships with other characters revealed by a single softly spoken line with other voices in the background, definitely Altman's films aren't for the cinematic faint of heart. My favorite line is when Mr. Weissman's valet, who has an affair with the murder victim's wife, comes to her room shortly after the murder and asks if she requires anything, she replies well I suppose life does go on and invites him into her bedroom. Funny and ghastly at the same time.

This is one of my very favorite movies. You described it perfectly. I see more and love it more each time I watch it.

I LOVED this movie too. I watched Gosford Park pretty late, quite recently actually!!

The wallpapers are exquisite!! Very pleasing movie, aesthetically and otherwise!

The film is ABOUT a Whodunnit but the greater beauty is that the film itself IS a Whodunnit - which keeps yielding its secrets even at a 5th watch. It’s a delicious experience which never palls.

i had to watch it 4 times to get everything, and I loved it

I found this movie confusing at first viewing but loved the sceneries and the music plus I loved seeing it  on the big screen. I have now lost count of how many times I have watched this movie, and still I see new things and better understand the conversations and who the different characters are and their relationship to each other. Still love it. Thank you for your commentary now I don’t feel so silly not getting it all at the first viewing. Thanks

Perfect review.

This movie is excellent writing that will require more for people who arent used to intricate and nuanced stories but its well worth it and once you do get into it you'll enjoy a wider variety of culture. Thumbs up 👍

absolutely ♥ this movie!

While I've never seen Downton Abbey, I understand Maggie Smith plays the exact same character in a different historical context (and name). Also, GP and DA are both written by the same person, Julian Fellowes. It's hard for me to believe that DA can be as good without Robert Altman's direction.

It’s free on YouTube right now so I watched it for about the 10th time. I saw something I hadn’t noticed before—how long the little movie director spends on the phone talking about his future country home murder mystery movie, oblivious to an actual murder mystery occurring right behind him.

I love Gosford Park.  Thank you for making this video. I'll subscribe so I don't miss the rest of your content. Cheers!

Elsie‘s cardinal sin was exposing the fact that she was sleeping with, the Lord of the Manor.  Everyone was shocked that it was exposed by her defense of him.

just watched this one! amazing review, thank you for sharing.

Love this, seen it more than a few times & yes…it takes a while to figure out some stuff (deciding who to marry by drawing cards!). Elsie: she could see through BS but has high regard for the murdered man who was an absolute assh*le. Interesting cast, and YES - you should see Downton Abbey!!!

I still don't quite understand Charles Dance's character.

I’ve always been confused as to WHY James Wilby’s character, Freddy Nesbitt, was getting money (a check) from Louisa Stockbridge, which he ended up tearing up infront of his wife saying try buying a new frock with that !

maggie smith in downton abbey is like a slightly nerfed version of constance treantham - constance is just baldly a bad person, she has no real loved ones, she's constantly complaining, the only times she shows joy are a) when she eats food and b) when someone else gets embarrassed (when ryan phillippe gets coffee spilled in his lap). violet crawley on the other hand is sarcastic and biting but she's never really ~mean~ or thoughtless, and her main motivations for her actions are about preserving her family and caring about her granddaughters. IMO constance is a bit more fun than violet