- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,432
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Those of you who may be aware of my "Miranda" projects will know of my appreciation for this era. And uniting the teens and twenties with the change from silent to early sound cinema (or Kinema here) ups the ante.
While one would not consider Downton Abbey: A New Era to be a film of "greatness" it fits well into the canon as created long ago for viewing on that smaller box.
With most of the cast returning, and a few new visitors, it's a nice way to rejoin characters with whom you've become familiar.
My most recent exposure to one of the actors was a viewing was streaming work by Michelle Dockery, a six-episode mini-series, that was akin to reading a good thriller, and difficult to put down.
With this new theatrical Downton, all of the generic bits and pieces are in evidence - swooping shots of impressive estates, long shots of groups of characters in proper garb walking toward the camera in unison - taking me back to the likes of The Magnificent Seven mit out firearms.
Beautifully shot in 6k, and with a wonderful Atmos track, the new 4k disc from Universal looks about as one might presume. Interiors pop, along with costumes. MS and CU are generally softened a bit, while exterior ing shots take advantage of the technology.
All in all, a very enjoyable visit.
Interesting that in one sequence, there's a visit to the exterior of a theater running Warner's second all-talking venture, The Terror (1928), a film presumably lost with the exception of discs.
There's a wonderful tip of the hat to Abel Gance's Napoleon. Producer Gareth Neame (grandson of Ronald), whose mother was Ivy Close, who played Norma in Gance's La Role.
And of course, there's the major plot point which links directly to Singin' on the Rain.
A couple of very minor things jumped out at me.
The first may have been the norm, but in the era of Gordon Ramsey screaming at culinary contestants, seeing the delightful Sophie McShera put a long wooden spoon into a large pot of something that must have been delicious, tasting the contents on the spoon, and then going back to stirring, would have brought a quick comment from Chef Ramsey.
Another tiny point.
When the filmmakers (they're shooting at Downton) run some footage, the leader which we see projected, has writing presumably made with a Sharpie of some sort. Every bit of leader that I've ever encountered from that era, had writing via a fountain pen.
But a bit of research proved that the researchers had gotten it correct. There were fountain paintbrushes as early as the mid-twenties.
A final note. The extraordinary Miss Smith has the best, and final line of her character. Just delicious.
For slipcover collectors, this is certain to be a major collectible, as presumably only the first printing will receive the meticulously produced product with embossing in several areas.
At the top, you'll find the "4K UltraHD" in silver against a black black background. The entire first level of printing is silver foil, which adds a great amount of depth.
Mid-jacket, in appropriate Downton type, is the title...
This appears to be set in an application of actual rose gold. On the reverse, one will find additional gold.
I have been advised to pick up as many copies as I can find, as prices on eBay and other auctions sites are apt to rise quickly when word gets out about the actual gold and low printing.
Image – 5 (Dolby Vision)
Audio – 5 (Dolby Atmos)
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Beautifully
Makes use of and works well in 4k - 5
Highly Recommended
RAH
While one would not consider Downton Abbey: A New Era to be a film of "greatness" it fits well into the canon as created long ago for viewing on that smaller box.
With most of the cast returning, and a few new visitors, it's a nice way to rejoin characters with whom you've become familiar.
My most recent exposure to one of the actors was a viewing was streaming work by Michelle Dockery, a six-episode mini-series, that was akin to reading a good thriller, and difficult to put down.
With this new theatrical Downton, all of the generic bits and pieces are in evidence - swooping shots of impressive estates, long shots of groups of characters in proper garb walking toward the camera in unison - taking me back to the likes of The Magnificent Seven mit out firearms.
Beautifully shot in 6k, and with a wonderful Atmos track, the new 4k disc from Universal looks about as one might presume. Interiors pop, along with costumes. MS and CU are generally softened a bit, while exterior ing shots take advantage of the technology.
All in all, a very enjoyable visit.
Interesting that in one sequence, there's a visit to the exterior of a theater running Warner's second all-talking venture, The Terror (1928), a film presumably lost with the exception of discs.
There's a wonderful tip of the hat to Abel Gance's Napoleon. Producer Gareth Neame (grandson of Ronald), whose mother was Ivy Close, who played Norma in Gance's La Role.
And of course, there's the major plot point which links directly to Singin' on the Rain.
A couple of very minor things jumped out at me.
The first may have been the norm, but in the era of Gordon Ramsey screaming at culinary contestants, seeing the delightful Sophie McShera put a long wooden spoon into a large pot of something that must have been delicious, tasting the contents on the spoon, and then going back to stirring, would have brought a quick comment from Chef Ramsey.
Another tiny point.
When the filmmakers (they're shooting at Downton) run some footage, the leader which we see projected, has writing presumably made with a Sharpie of some sort. Every bit of leader that I've ever encountered from that era, had writing via a fountain pen.
But a bit of research proved that the researchers had gotten it correct. There were fountain paintbrushes as early as the mid-twenties.
A final note. The extraordinary Miss Smith has the best, and final line of her character. Just delicious.
For slipcover collectors, this is certain to be a major collectible, as presumably only the first printing will receive the meticulously produced product with embossing in several areas.
At the top, you'll find the "4K UltraHD" in silver against a black black background. The entire first level of printing is silver foil, which adds a great amount of depth.
Mid-jacket, in appropriate Downton type, is the title...
Downton Abbey
A New Era
A New Era
This appears to be set in an application of actual rose gold. On the reverse, one will find additional gold.
I have been advised to pick up as many copies as I can find, as prices on eBay and other auctions sites are apt to rise quickly when word gets out about the actual gold and low printing.
Image – 5 (Dolby Vision)
Audio – 5 (Dolby Atmos)
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Beautifully
Makes use of and works well in 4k - 5
Highly Recommended
RAH
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