Enjoy all six seasons of the multi-award-winning hit series in this special edition box set, which offers all the highs and lows, joy and sorrow, that Downton Abbey viewers across the globe have grown to love. Featuring all 52 episodes and over 11 hours of bonus features, this is the collection for the most ardent Downton fan. Splendor and romance, desire and heartbreak, scandal and rumors spanning the idyllic pre-war era through the storms of The Great War and beyond to the roaring 1920s, Downton Abbey tells the story of a complicated community. Home to the Crawley family for generations, it is also where their servants live, plan and dream, and they are as fiercely jealous of their rank as anyone. Some of them are loyal to the family and committed to Downton as a way of life, others are moving through, on the lookout for betterment or love or just adventure. The difference is that they know so many of the secrets of the family, while the family know so few of theirs. But for all the passions that rage beneath the surface, this is a secure and ordered world that seems, at first glance, as if it will last forever. Little do they know, family or staff, that the tides of change will not leave Downton unscathed.
For thoughts on Downton Abbey: The Complete Series, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:
Video Quality
Downton Abbey: The Complete Series arrives on Blu-Ray with a very fetching AVC encoded 1080i transfer in 1.78:1. This release brings all six seasons together in high definition with 52 episodes on 21 discs (18 for the episodes, 3 solely for special features). The series is one of the most visually sumptuous to come out of the 2010s, and the lush cinematography is translated nearly perfectly here. The series is always handsomely lit, finding rich, deep nuances within the colors on screen. This is especially true of the greenery surrounding the titular abbey, along with the impressive costumes that emerge from episode to episode.
Black levels are appropriately deep and give way to a fine amount of detail in shadows. There are only a few instances that struggle with a touch of crush. The highlights of the series do not fall victim to any blooming in this presentation. Skin tones appear very natural across the entire cast. The level of detail this presentation is able to harness is really terrific, as all of the subtle details in the ornate clothing and production design are easily identifiable. There are no egregious instances of aliasing or compression artifacts detectable throughout this journey. The Blu-Ray presentation is the way to go for this special series.
Audio Quality
This Blu-Ray set comes with a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track that faithfully brings these stories to life throughout all six seasons. Dialogue always emanates clearly without being stepped on by the gentle score or any sound effects. Kinetic moments are very sparse but are given the appropriate weight in the mix when the low end needs to be engaged. Ambient sounds are balanced well with the primary sonic force. The score is essential to the mood of the show, and it is represented without issue as it fills the room and perfectly complements the drama on screen. The audio track is terrific as it supports this show very well. There are optional English SDH subtitles provided.
Special Features
Season One
- Audio Commentaries
-
- Episode 1
-
- Episode 2
- A House In History – Downton Abbey (10:08)
- The Making of Downton Abbey (13:45)
- Deleted Scenes (7:40)
Season Two
- Audio Commentaries
-
- Episode 1
- Deleted Scenes (11:57)
- House To Hospital (8:22)
- Fashions and Uniforms (11:12)
- Romance In A Time Of Warfare (13:51)
Season Three
- The Wedding Of Lady Mary (13:03)
- The Wedding of Lady Edith (16:02)
- Shirley Maclaine at Downton Abbey (9:07)
- The Men of Downton Abbey (9:02)
- Downton Abbey In 1920 (17:24)
- Behind The Scenes – The Cricket Match (6:44)
- Behind The Scenes – A Journey To The Highlands (12:46)
Season Four
- The Making Of (12:22)
- The Downton Diaries (13:25)
- New Arrivals (9:22)
Season Five
- Behind The Scenes – Day 100 (10:14)
- A Day With Lady Rose (7:52)
- The Roaring Twenties (26:32)
Season Six
- The Cars of Downton (11:03)
- Farewell to Highclere (6:55)
- The Manners of Downton Abbey (54:27)
- More Manners of Downton Abbey (54:18)
Bonus Discs
- The Story Of Downton Abbey (1:39:10)
- The Creators’ Favourite Scenes (1:00:51)
- Supercuts (31:33)
- Character Documentaries (2:25:28)
Final Thoughts
Downton Abbey was something of a sensation when it made its way to PBS in the early days of the last decade. Every year audiences could not wait to experience the journey of the Crawley family and everyone in their orbit. The show did an incredible job of using the known history of the time to explore the dynamics of the rich array of characters. Throughout the six seasons, you experience love and loss through the careful development of these individuals. It remains a series that is such a comfort to return to and fall in love with them all over again. Universal Home Entertainment has released a terrific complete series Blu-Ray set featuring a top-notch A/V presentation and an expansive selection of special features. If you appreciate a well-executed period drama with complex, adult storytelling, this set will bring you many hours of joy. Highly Recommended
Downton Abbey: The Complete Series can be purchased directly through MovieZyng or various other online retailers.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Universal Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.