Actress Penelope Wilton (1946)

Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022) serves as a continuation of its predecessor, the 2019 film. Written by Julian Fellowes, creator and writer of the eponymous television series, and directed by Simon Curtis, the story follows Tom Branson, the widowed son-in-law of Earl of Grantham. He marries Lucy Smith, illegitimate daughter and sole heir to Lady Maud Bagshaw – Queen Mary’s lady-in-waiting. The family is taken aback when Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, surprises them with news that she was gifted a villa in Southern France years ago by now-deceased ...

Directed by John Madden, the war drama film Operation Mincemeat (2021) is based on Ben Macintyre’s book about the British operation during World War II. In the midst of the war in 1943, Lieutenant Commander Ewen Montagu, a Jewish barrister, remains in England while his wife Iris and children seek refuge in the United States. He sets aside his law practice to join the Twenty Committee, accompanied by his secretary Hester Leggett. With Britain entrenched in conflict, Prime Minister Winston Churchill has promised the US that an invasion of Sicily will occur in July to ...

Downton Abbey (2019) is a historical drama film written by Julian Fellowes, the series creator and writer of its TV counterpart, and directed by Michael Engler. Produced by Carnival Films and Perfect World Pictures, the movie picks up where the series left off, bringing back much of the original cast. Set in 1927, the Crawleys are thrilled to learn that King George V and Queen Mary plan to visit Downton as part of their royal tour of Yorkshire. Amidst preparations by the servants, Lady Mary feels Barrow, the house butler, is ill-prepared for such an important event and ...

The film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s popular novel The BFG (2016), directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg, follows the story of Sophie, a ten-year-old girl living in a London orphanage. Sophie suffers from insomnia and often stays up reading through the nights. One night at three in the morning, she sees an elderly giant outside her window during what she calls the ‘witching hour’. The giant captures her and takes her to Giant Country where he explains that she must stay with him for life as she has seen him and must not reveal the existence of ...

Downton Abbey (2010–2015), a British period drama set in the early 20th century, was created and co-written by Julian Fellowes. It premiered on ITV in the United Kingdom on September 26, 2010 and on PBS in the United States as part of its Masterpiece Classic series on January 9, 2011. The series consisted of six seasons and fifty-two episodes, including five holiday specials. Set on the fictional Yorkshire estate of Downton Abbey from 1912 to 1926, it follows the aristocratic Crawley family and their household staff during the post-Edwardian era. The show explores how major historical events shape their lives and ...

Match Point (2005), a psychological thriller by Woody Allen, follows the story of recently retired Irish tennis pro Chris Wilton. He lands a job as an instructor at a prestigious London club and befriends wealthy student Tom Hewett. Meanwhile, Tom’s sister Chloe becomes infatuated with Chris and they start dating. At a family gathering, Chris meets Tom’s fiancée Nola Rice from America and they are immediately drawn to each other. With Chloe’s help, Chris secures a job in one of her father Alec’s companies and is welcomed into the family circle. However, during an argument over Nola’s career ...

The British film, Shaun of the Dead (2004), is a romantic zombie comedy directed by Edgar Wright, who co-wrote the screenplay with Simon Pegg. In London’s Crouch End neighborhood, 29-year-old electronics salesman Shaun faces disrespect from his coworkers, a strained relationship with his stepfather Philip, and a recent break-up with his girlfriend Liz due to his failed attempt at planning an anniversary date. Seeking solace, Shaun turns to his go-to spot, the Winchester pub, where he drowns his sorrows with his slacker best friend Ed. Meanwhile, their roommate Pete ...

Cry Freedom (1987), an epic apartheid drama film directed and produced by Richard Attenborough, takes place in late-1970s South Africa during the time of apartheid. After seeing news coverage of a slum being demolished in East London, journalist Donald Woods seeks out more information and meets with anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko. Biko is a member of the Black Consciousness Movement and has been banned from leaving his designated ‘banning area’ in King William’s Town by the South African government. While Woods disagrees with Biko’s political views, he is invited to witness the conditions in ...