{"id":14274,"date":"2025-09-13T14:50:18","date_gmt":"2025-09-13T21:50:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/?p=14274"},"modified":"2025-09-15T15:02:19","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T22:02:19","slug":"downton-abbey-the-grand-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/2025\/downton-abbey-the-grand-final\/","title":{"rendered":"Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale * Intriguing Plot, Very True to the Era, Fabulous Costumes and Sets"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft  wp-image-14275\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Downton_Abbey_The_Grand_Finale_official_poster.jpg?resize=115%2C173&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"115\" height=\"173\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Downton_Abbey_The_Grand_Finale_official_poster.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Downton_Abbey_The_Grand_Finale_official_poster.jpg?w=250&amp;ssl=1 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 115px) 100vw, 115px\" \/>Downton Abbey<\/em><em>: The Grand Finale<\/em>, the\u00a0cinematic return of the\u00a0global phenomenon, follows the\u00a0Crawley family and their staff as they enter the\u00a01930s. When Mary finds herself at the\u00a0center of a public scandal and the\u00a0family faces financial trouble, the\u00a0entire household grapples with the\u00a0threat of social disgrace. The\u00a0Crawleys must embrace change as the\u00a0staff prepares for a new chapter with the\u00a0next generation leading\u00a0Downton Abbey\u00a0into the\u00a0future.<\/p>\n<p>KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Elsy S. comments, \u201cI love the film <em>Downton Abbey<\/em> because of its intriguing plotline, deep topics, and how the story is very authentic to the time period in which it is set\u2026 The complexity of this story really helps pull together the Crawley family stories and provides an incredible ending to the popular show. One aspect that really impressed me is how it manages to maintain several plotlines at the same time, and how everything, especially the costumes, are very authentic to the time.\u201d See her full review below.<\/p>\n<p>Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale<br \/>\nBy Elsy S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RkHb8F9kAgc?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_14282\" style=\"width: 231px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14282\" class=\" wp-image-14282\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DTA.4226_D010_00033_R.jpg?resize=221%2C147&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"147\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DTA.4226_D010_00033_R.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DTA.4226_D010_00033_R.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-14282\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Michelle Dockery stars as Lady Mary and Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates in DOWNTON ABBEY: The Grand Finale. Credit: Rory Mulvey \/ \u00a9 2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC<\/p><\/div>\n<p>I love the film <em>Downton Abbey<\/em> because of its intriguing plotline, deep topics, and how the story is very authentic to the time period in which it is set.<\/p>\n<p>The story takes place in the early 1930s and follows several characters we have come to know. Mary (Michelle Dockery), is faced with divorce, which was utterly scandalous at that time; she is scorned by other nobles, and isn\u2019t permitted to take charge of Downton Abbey. Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern) and Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) experience extreme financial struggles, due to Lady Cora\u2019s brother, Horace\u2019s (Paul Giamatti) irresponsibility with Cora\u2019s inheritance. Eventually, we discover that Gus Sambrook (Alessandro Nivola), Horace\u2019s supposed finance expert, has been stealing their money and threatening Mary.<\/p>\n<p>Eventually, the financial problems are resolved and Mary regains her respect, with the film ending as Mary reflects on her past in a bittersweet manner.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_14278\" style=\"width: 229px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14278\" class=\" wp-image-14278\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DTA.4226_D006_00935_R.jpg?resize=219%2C146&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"219\" height=\"146\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DTA.4226_D006_00935_R.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DTA.4226_D006_00935_R.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 219px) 100vw, 219px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-14278\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Laura Carmichael stars as Lady Edith and Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary in DOWNTON ABBEY: The Grand Finale.<br \/>Credit: Rory Mulvey \/ \u00a9 2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The complexity of this story really helps pull together the Crawley family stories and provides an incredible ending to the popular show. One aspect that really impressed me is how it manages to maintain several plotlines at the same time, and how everything, especially the costumes, are very authentic to the time. I felt that several characters don\u2019t quite have the emotional depth of others, such as Lord Horence, who doesn\u2019t seem to feel anything throughout the film except for superiority.<\/p>\n<p>My favorite part is when Mary is forced to hide beneath the stairs due to the rule that royalty can\u2019t be in the same room as a divorced woman, which is actually quite heartbreaking.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_14277\" style=\"width: 261px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14277\" class=\" wp-image-14277\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DTA.4226_D006_01342_R.jpg?resize=251%2C167&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"251\" height=\"167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DTA.4226_D006_01342_R.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DTA.4226_D006_01342_R.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 251px) 100vw, 251px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-14277\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hugh Bonneville stars as Robert Grantham in DOWNTON ABBEY: The Grand Finale. Credit: Rory Mulvey \/ \u00a9 2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC<\/p><\/div>\n<p>My least favorite part is when Lady Grantham\u2019s brother, Horence, asks her for part of her inheritance that is left after Horence has squandered it away.<\/p>\n<p>The film\u2019s message is about keeping your head held high, and not care what others think of you. It also reminds us to value our family. Be aware that there are some references to more adult concepts, mild nudity, and substance usage.<\/p>\n<p>I give <em>Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale <\/em>4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18. It releases in theaters on September 12, 2025.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/P_30wFRxlnA?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, the cinematic return of the global phenomenon, follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. When Mary finds herself at the center of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble, the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawleys must embrace change as the staff prepares for a new chapter with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future.<br \/>\nKIDS FIRST! Film Critic Elsy S. comments, \u201cI love the film Downton Abbey because of its intriguing plotline, deep topics, and how the story is very authentic to the time period in which it is set\u2026 The complexity of this story really helps pull together the Crawley family stories and provides an incredible ending to the popular show. One aspect that really impressed me is how it manages to maintain several plotlines at the same time, and how everything, especially the costumes, are very authentic to the time.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4949,15],"tags":[9618,568,1783,9619,4942,8544,9616,562,9613,575,9620,569,9614,565,570,564,4933,4945,567,1166,9617,580,4939,9615],"class_list":["post-14274","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-feature-film","category-feature-film-reviews","tag-alessandro-nivola","tag-allen-leech","tag-by-kids-for-kids","tag-crawley-family","tag-dominic-west","tag-downton-abbey","tag-downton-abbey-3","tag-downton-abbey-movie","tag-downton-abbey-the-grand-finale","tag-elizabeth-mcgovern","tag-financial-ruin","tag-hugh-bonneville","tag-james-fellows","tag-jim-carter","tag-joanne-froggatt","tag-laura-carmichael","tag-lesley-nicol","tag-michael-fox","tag-michelle-dockery","tag-movie-reviews","tag-paul-giamatti","tag-penelope-wilton","tag-robert-james-collier","tag-simon-russell-beale"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paS5I2-3Ie","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14274","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14274"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14274\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14286,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14274\/revisions\/14286"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14274"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14274"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14274"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}