Story

It’s the 1930s, a time of great social change in Britain and nowhere more so than at Downton Abbey, where a new generation is replacing the old. Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) is trying to wrest control of the Crawley family’s finances from her father Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), while managing the scandal of her divorce. Mary initiated the divorce from her husband because of his infidelities, but it has made her a social pariah.

To make matters worse, Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern) has an unexpected visit from her brother, Harold (Paul Giamatti) and his friend, the very charming Gus Sambrook (Alessandro Nivola). Harold has come with the news that he has managed to lose most of the family’s fortune in the Great Depression.

Intrigue follows, as Mary falls for Gus, who turns out to be not what he seems.

Themes

Period drama; divorce; 1930’s; social prejudice

Violence

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale has very little violence. In one instance, Lord Grantham gets very angry at the thought of losing Grantham House and yells at everyone.

Sexual references

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale has some sexual references. For example:

• People talk about Henry (Mary’s former husband) having affairs.
• Mary and Gus kiss passionately. They’re shown in bed together the next morning. Mary says she doesn’t normally ‘jump into bed with strangers at the drop of a hat’.
• Gus threatens to tell people that he and Mary are lovers.
• Mrs Patmore (the cook) confides in Mrs Carson (head of staff) that she’s afraid to move in with her new husband because he might want a full relationship. Mrs Carson tells her not to be afraid and that it is in fact ‘terrific fun’.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale shows some use of substances. For example:

• People drink often, including at home and at parties.
• Several people smoke.
• Gus gives Mary a lot of alcohol so he can seduce her.

Nudity and sexual activity

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale has some nudity and sexual activity. For example:

• Mary and Gus are shown in bed together, kissing and cuddling but nothing more.
• Mary’s maid Anna sees Gus leaving Mary’s room, half naked, with a towel wrapped around his waist.
• Lady Edith strips down to her underwear.

Product placement

The following products are displayed or used in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale: Fortnum and Mason.

Coarse language

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale has some coarse language, including ‘My God!’, ‘For God’s sake!’, ‘bloody’, ‘screwed up’ and ‘damn’.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is a period drama featuring all the well-known characters from the television show, apart from the late Dame Maggie Smith. The movie is set in a time of social upheaval and the rejection of old prejudices in Britain.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is likely to delight fans of the show, but it’s best suited to viewers aged over 12 because of its adult themes.

These are the main messages from Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale:

• Embrace change and move forward without forgetting the past.
• Let a younger generation to take up the mantle.

Values in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale that you could reinforce with your children include acceptance, tolerance, and the importance of letting go and giving control to a new generation.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale could also give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues like:

• the differences in social values and norms between the 1930s and now, including the acceptance of divorced women and homosexuality
• the consequences of drinking too much alcohol, which can lower your inhibitions and make you behave uncharacteristically.