Okay, after watching the best moments of the Dowager Countess (again) - I must say something. I admit that I adore many great actresses - usually grand British dames like Helen Mirren and Judi Dench. And Imelda Staunton, who for some reason hasn't been acknowledged enough. But I seriously think nobody will ever pass Dame Maggie Smith for me. She has always been superb but Downton was a whole another level. Every word, every facial expression, move, voice tone etc - the tiniest details are entirely controlled and so spot on. She can express every emotion and line with grace (even those burns which is hilarious) and everything she does is so convincing - just right. Nothing ever lacks in her performances and she never goes over the top. Honestly nobody could have made the role of Violet Crawley half so well. I also like American actors but they don't usually seem to reach quite the same level. Maybe as a Finn it's easier for me to identify with the more reserved, classy British acting style. American actors tend to be a bit over-dramatic from time to time. ;)
Boy! This show for all those years has made wonderful memories with my mother. We , like most would plan our Sunday evenings days in advance and I would make special treats to eat during the show and always had wine and tea to go with it. Each week I would do something different from tea sandwiches to shrimp and special cookies and cakes… a real masterpiece on MASTERPIECE……. I don’t think they could ever come close with another production
VIOLET is an INSPIRATION in Haughty Regal bearing of nobility of the Era. Maggie Smith is Incomparable as the Dowager Countess, just as she has been in so many of her roles! ! 👑
Wish I could find the one where the priest accused Daisy of trying to get William's money, he used the term "dough" and Violet put him in his place by reminding him how he seems to have no problem using the "dough" provided by Lord Grantham, it's fantastic....
Not really. Junior domestics, footmen and housemaids, were all called by their first names: Anna, Daisy, Ethel, William, James, Andrew, etc. Personal valets and maids were called by their masters by their family names (Carson, Bates, Molesley, Spratt, O'Brien, Baxter, Denker), but Mr or Miss by the staff (Mr Carson, Mr Bates, Miss O'Brien). The housekeeper and cook were both called Mrs by family and staff even if they were not married: Mrs Hughes, Mrs Patmore, Mrs Bird. In that scene, Anna was still an housemaid, so Anna is her proper designation. Later, when she became Mary's lady's maid, she should have been called Bates, but Mary could not bring herself to call her that. So she remains Anna. Another exception was Molesley, who should have been called Joseph when he was rehired as a footman, but Lady Violet wanted that he remain Molesley (which was very kind of her).
Violet Crawley, The Dowager Countess of Grantham. Crawley is the surname, taken from her husband. The Earl of Grantham is a fictitious title in the peerage of Great Britain. The dowager Countess could be referred to as Lady Grantham, but never as Violet Grantham. 🙂
@@sebastienh1100 Nope. It's the same thing. Only one of her peers would not understand this.... Being utter snobs themselves. The real difference lies with people like Hyacinth Bucket, a wannabe snob. And then the sorts of Princess Olga Romanov. A true snob. Penniless, but clinging to the grandure of the past...
"Sorry about the vase", "no don't be, don't be. It's was a wedding present from a frightful Aunt, I have hated it for half a century." - 🤣👏
Azaaedfx0aap
I love this line the most!!! lolol
Half a century 😂😂😂, the unnecessary extra vocab she always adds are too good 😂😂
ho
“I’m leaving in the morning Lady Grantham, I doubt we will see each other again.
“DO YOU PROMISE.”? 😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Classic!!
The best
har
"Is this is this an instrument of communication or torture?" She is simply glorious!
When series writer, Julian Fellows, tried getting Maggie Smith in the show, he promised her the best lines. I believe he delivered!
“Don’t be defeatist. it’s very middle class.” 😂
Downtown Abbey would not have been what it is without Maggie ❤️loved her throughout......
Maggie Smith was truly wonderful as the Dowager!
One that I love, "We can't have him assassinated...I suppose."
Sfgh
You see her pause, she thought about it.
@@robertb5662 yeah she did. 😆😆😆
I love this too. And her face when she says it hahah
I absolutely love the dowager!
Okay, after watching the best moments of the Dowager Countess (again) - I must say something. I admit that I adore many great actresses - usually grand British dames like Helen Mirren and Judi Dench. And Imelda Staunton, who for some reason hasn't been acknowledged enough.
But I seriously think nobody will ever pass Dame Maggie Smith for me. She has always been superb but Downton was a whole another level. Every word, every facial expression, move, voice tone etc - the tiniest details are entirely controlled and so spot on. She can express every emotion and line with grace (even those burns which is hilarious) and everything she does is so convincing - just right. Nothing ever lacks in her performances and she never goes over the top. Honestly nobody could have made the role of Violet Crawley half so well.
I also like American actors but they don't usually seem to reach quite the same level. Maybe as a Finn it's easier for me to identify with the more reserved, classy British acting style. American actors tend to be a bit over-dramatic from time to time. ;)
I think that we're all more like the dowager countess than we'd like to admit, but through whom we enjoy living vicariously...
I aspire to be *more* like her.
Boy! This show for all those years has made wonderful memories with my mother. We , like most would plan our Sunday evenings days in advance and I would make special treats to eat during the show and always had wine and tea to go with it. Each week I would do something different from tea sandwiches to shrimp and special cookies and cakes… a real masterpiece on MASTERPIECE……. I don’t think they could ever come close with another production
Watching The Gilded Age finally prompted me to watch Downton Abbey. There are some great lines in this show.
Love Dame Maggie Smith. Reminds me me of Mama. She is on target and quite glorious.
“If someone is going to manage things, let it be our creature.”
She calls Mr. Borrow a creature lol.
i never thought Maggie Smith would leave us.An institution really ..very sad and we will miss you forever
Maggie Smith was one of a kind…just the right delivery of sarcasm…she was the perfect actor in every way.Miss you, Maggie.Thanks for the memories ❤️
"I'm a woman Mary, I can be as contrary as I choose."
Love, love , love her!!!
VIOLET is an INSPIRATION in Haughty Regal bearing of nobility of the Era. Maggie Smith is Incomparable as the Dowager Countess, just as she has been in so many of her roles! ! 👑
She was fabulous!🥺
"I wouldn't say I was planning it."
What a great compilation! Thanks for sharing this with us.
"Why don't I find that reassuring?"
Loved Lady Grantham..
"Do you promise?"
YES. My fave.
I never get tired of, do you promise?
AGREED!
Dowager : I will stick to the chaise longue.
The writers who put those words into her mouth are unrecognized geniuses (genii?). Maggie, please adopt me.
One writer, I believe. Julian Fellowes.
Wish I could find the one where the priest accused Daisy of trying to get William's money, he used the term "dough" and Violet put him in his place by reminding him how he seems to have no problem using the "dough" provided by Lord Grantham, it's fantastic....
I love the Dowager Countess. She reminds me of my maternal Grandmother. Fortunately I inherited her tongue.
'How can Matthew have chosen that little blonde 'piece'' 😂😂😂
They all call Anna by her first name, even the Dowager Countess. She is really special, isn't she...
Not really. Junior domestics, footmen and housemaids, were all called by their first names: Anna, Daisy, Ethel, William, James, Andrew, etc. Personal valets and maids were called by their masters by their family names (Carson, Bates, Molesley, Spratt, O'Brien, Baxter, Denker), but Mr or Miss by the staff (Mr Carson, Mr Bates, Miss O'Brien). The housekeeper and cook were both called Mrs by family and staff even if they were not married: Mrs Hughes, Mrs Patmore, Mrs Bird. In that scene, Anna was still an housemaid, so Anna is her proper designation. Later, when she became Mary's lady's maid, she should have been called Bates, but Mary could not bring herself to call her that. So she remains Anna. Another exception was Molesley, who should have been called Joseph when he was rehired as a footman, but Lady Violet wanted that he remain Molesley (which was very kind of her).
@@Xerxes2005 Very interesting. Thanks for explaining.
Violet Crawley, The Dowager Countess of Grantham. Crawley is the surname, taken from her husband. The Earl of Grantham is a fictitious title in the peerage of Great Britain. The dowager Countess could be referred to as Lady Grantham, but never as Violet Grantham. 🙂
I've also seen her referred to as "Lady Violet" which I believe is incorrect based on her parentage. It irks me...
Better than taking a tonic!
3:10 "Me with an iphone."
😂
"Vulgarity is no substitute for whit."
Its wit
"you started it." :P
Me too
👍👍👍
What an era to be alive in, tough but so interesting
only the british ! can do it so well.and so classy
Which is opening scene form which episode and season
I believe the first clip is from season 2, episode 1. This was the first episode set during World War 1.
*from
Maggie played professor McGonnagle in Harry potter
Really...I had no idea...SMH. 🤦
@@jawsomejavahhidkwhatelseto9068
Maggie Smith played Mother Superior in the "Sister Act" films.
Me too. She's such a snob!
Not a snob. A conservative aristocrat. That is very different.
@@sebastienh1100
Nope.
It's the same thing.
Only one of her peers would not understand this....
Being utter snobs themselves.
The real difference lies with people like Hyacinth Bucket, a wannabe snob.
And then the sorts of Princess Olga Romanov.
A true snob.
Penniless, but clinging to the grandure of the past...
Sucks
wow. this must be the most boring series ever created
You said this after watching a video about the best character in this series?
@@vilandellys8825 yes
Or you’re not joyful enough to enjoy it
And, whilst I very much disagree, you are equally very much entitled to that opinion.
@@jaciel610 Oh no no dear, its not that he’s not joyful enough; its just that he is not class enough or rather very middle class
"Why don't I find that reassuring?"