Michael Engler

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It has been talked about for years and now, finally, Julian Fellowes ' hit ITV period drama to the big screen.

All your favorite characters back, and get ready for the famous lady Maggie's one-liners, together with a pair of high-profile New Faces , including Imelda Staunton and the Killing of Eva and David Haig .

The film is based on a visit of The King and the Queen, who has both of the Downton household and The Village all aflutter.

Reviews were warm, if a little underwhelming, with many publications, including,, and, giving the film three stars out of five.

Here you will learn everything about the film - including some gems from The Stars behind the scenes.

(note: We have tried to avoid major spoilers where possible, but keep in mind it can plot some of the details below. )

1) Everyone can feel just a tiny bit nervous about the release

Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary says that her first thought about being on the big screen was: "Our faces are much bigger!

"He is an extension of The Show , just a notch turned. It was important that it didn't feel that different. "

Downton Creator Julian Fellowes , agrees: "We wanted to recognize the people, the series they loved in the film. Our task was to make it more cinematic. "

Kevin Doyle , says playing the emerging Joseph Moseley, said: "It was scary, all the stairs were down in the wine cellar for our first scene - only rarely do they come together again as a group of actors after a three-year gap. "

Lesley Nicol , who plays everyone's favorite cook, Mrs. Patmore, adds: "The film is very much expected, so a lot of pressure is it. "

2) is played, The Breakfast is The Most important meal of The Day

Former family chauffeur and now estate manager, Tom Branson , All Leech.

"My first day on the set was with Michelle and Hugh (Bonneville - Lord Grantham) during a Breakfast scene, I was thrilled, because they make a great Breakfast on the set. One thing that me and Hugh always suffer, that we actually eat, The Breakfast , and you always do 28 takes. Hugh and I are always like: "Are you ready for the sausage?"

3) There is a real-life husband and wife team

Watch out Mrs Hughes, Carson was joined by a new leading lady.

Imelda Staunton joins the cast as Lady Bagshaw .

she is married to Jim Carter , who plays Downton's retired butler, 36 years.

Imelda jokes: "Carson every night, was home for many years! I felt very comfortable, but I didn't want To Let the side down. I would not have it in the neck from Carson in the night, when I had pulled my weight. "

Imelda plays The Cousin of Lady Violet (Dame Maggie Smith ): "I thought I would be down the stairs. I was quite surprised, on the upper floor. Jim and I went to work for Three Days and were all excited! Of course, I would have been on the ground floor, giving Carson a Hard Time !

"But I was very happy in The Company of Geraldine James (Queen Mary), and Maggie. It was like with Federer and Nadal on the top floor so it was really Very Nice . "

4) Whisper it - Mrs Patmore and Daisy are professed culinary Queens in Real Life

"I'm going to love cooking class - vegan," Lesley.

"This is not explained very Patmore," Sophie.

she adds: "We are really doing well, than to cook. But we are terrible!"

Speaking of Sophie's character Daisy, who declared Mrs Patmore' s subordinate, series a, Lesley: "the woman has a bit more gobby! I used to be the dominant personality, but things have changed. Round. She is more edgy. The dynamic has changed. "

Sophie adds: "they seem to be more like the equivalent. It is such a long way. Daisy is looking for Mrs Patmore now. Mrs Patmore is like a mother that's you a guilt-trip, why Daisy is still here!"

5) Former PM Theresa May of inspired one of the crucial scenes

Kevin Doyle 's character of Moseley, A Teacher in The Last row, Moseley was returned to Downton dinner to serve to The King and the Queen. And let's just say, it is a very important moment.

Kevin explained: "I knew it was an important scene, the bottom story of the building was up to this moment, so I was nervous. I was glad when it was over, and I had a big drink at the end of The Day .

"I model on enameled bow-curtsy, I saw it and thought, 'I'm going to that. '"

6) Speaking of the policy.

"The Downton film, so everyone can Take Two hours from the UK to exit the EU!" Julian says.

"We live in dark times, escapism is very important," said Penelope Wilton , who plays Isobel gray.

7) Dame Maggie Smith is up with A Kid ' s Star-Wars-toys

Rob James-Collier, who plays said butler Thomas Barrow : "you don't have to call you lady, are you telling us, call Maggie. She came in through the rep system, so she's done it the hard way. It is very accessible. She hasWe don't give anything away, but Michelle has a very moving scene at the end of the film with Dame Maggie, your grandmother in the film.

Michelle says: "Every scene with Maggie is a privilege and something special feels, however, that in particular felt very special and emotional. I was very immersed in it and it is a pleasure to work with her. It was a moment in my career and in My Life . I'll never forget it. "

more importantly, Maggie is "' s very good at playing Bananagrams," said Sophie.

8) It's just fiction, people!

Elizabeth Mcgovern , who plays The Countess of Grantham, says: "There is no such thing as a glorious past. This is entertainment, it is not a documentary. I would never go there again.

"women have come so far. She came from such a place of captivity, compared to what we have now. Play: Cora - she has no right over their own destiny. I'm always so glad at the end of The Day , we go back to My Life , now, where we are now. There is not one part of me that has a sentimental attachment to this era as a woman. "

But there are still some unintentional similarities between the past and the present.

Phyllis Logan , who says star as a housemaid Elsie Hughes : "at that time, and continuing today, women can still unwanted attention. It is a power thing and it is still a bit of that now but hopefully it is becoming less so. "

Elizabeth adds: "the women of My Generation , we are excited about the implementation of what we should accept in the workplace. "

Julian Fellowes , says: "It was very dominated male (in the 1920s), but there were just so many intelligent women, and they had the ambitious way (to learn). This creates a tension. Mary tried to find a balance between doing the as part of your company and what you like. This voltage there is not today.

Jim adds: "We will show the 1920s in a romantic light, but life would be difficult for the servant. Lord Grantham was one of The Most benign employers. There was no safety net. "

9) peace At Last for the war, leading the Crawley sisters

Laura Carmichael , left, said the BBC, it is rotten "in the rule in Real Life ". We do not believe a word of it. Mary and Edith (Laura Carmichael ) in the hair have been for years, with one of its worst-outs occur in the series of six, as Mary, Edith said ' s then fiancé Bertie about your sister's illegitimate daughter, Marigold, out of spite.

But both of you have matured in the film.

Michelle explains: "Edith and Mary are quite low now. Edith has developed and moved.

Laura adds: "Edith' s status has changed between the end of the series and the movie. (She is now The Countess of Hexham . ) You all.

"Edith and Mary have found themselves comfortable with each other. "

We hate to admit it, but we can't help feeling a little disappointed.

10) Hugh Bonneville looks great in stockings

Michelle's favorite dress from the film is a "Fortuny blue dress", while "Laura's "was The Day -dress, when The King and the Queen came for afternoon Tea - Red , silk knit, very 20s. Beautiful. "

it doesn't seem so mind-boggling, as Hugh Bonneville in stockings.

Allen is a Big Fan : "Hugh has The Most amazing calves in his stockings! I don't know if he stands out, but you are a sight!"

Hugh is happy to receive the compliment: "My calves are a function of merchandise for the coming years. "

11) It's all about the fans

Downton fans are extremely dedicated.

"In Highclere, they were with a dressing up day. A lady called me, she was so overwhelmed," says Lesley.

Jim's screen name today, it still echoes through the parks and sidewalks of Britain: "Several people have the name of dogs to Carson and there is even a baby!"

12), The OTHER drama with The Royal family.

visit the film-makers pick up tips from Netflix hit The Crown for Downton Royal?

Producer Gareth Neame -jokes: "they have their lessons from us!"

13) Thomas and Branson ' s fantasy-adventure

We would like a VIP pass.

film, downton abbey, maggie smith, hugh bonneville, julian fellowes, imelda staunton

Source of news: bbc.com