Gosford Park (2001)

Multiple storylined drama set in 1932, showing the lives of upstairs guest and downstairs servants at a party in a country house in England.

Director:

Robert Altman

Writers:

Robert Altman (idea), Julian Fellowes,

Stars:

Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Kristin Scott Thomas

Won 1 Oscar. Another 33 wins & 51 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Maggie Smith	...	Constance Trentham
Michael Gambon	...	William McCordle
Kristin Scott Thomas	...	Sylvia McCordle
Camilla Rutherford	...	Isobel McCordle
Charles Dance	...	Lord Raymond Stockbridge
Geraldine Somerville	...	Louisa Stockbridge
Tom Hollander	...	Anthony Meredith
Natasha Wightman	...	Lavinia Meredith
Jeremy Northam	...	Ivor Novello
Bob Balaban	...	Morris Weissman
James Wilby	...	Freddie Nesbitt
Claudie Blakley	...	Mabel Nesbitt
Laurence Fox	...	Rupert Standish
Trent Ford	...	Jeremy Blond
Ryan Phillippe	...	Henry Denton

Storyline

Set in the 1930's the story takes place in an old fashioned English country house where a family has invited many of their friends up for a weekend shooting party. The story centers around the McCordle family, particularly the man of the house, William McCordle. Getting on in years William has become benefactor to many of his relatives and friends. As the weekend goes on and secrets are revealed, it seems everyone, above stairs and below, wants a piece of William and his money, but how far will they go to get it?

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Plot Keywords:

servant | shooting party | murder | money | country house | 

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Taglines:

Tea At Four. Dinner At Eight. Murder At Midnight.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language and brief sexuality

Details

Country:

UK USA Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 January 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Assassinato em Gosford Park

Filming Locations:

Ston Easton Park, Somerset, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$19,800,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$68,666 (South Africa) (6 September 2002)

Gross:

$178,641 (South Africa) (27 September 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

USA Films, Capitol Films, Film Council

Technical Specs

Runtime:

137 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Robert Altman:  [dialogue overlap]  Rather than just use a typical boom mike to pick up dialogue, Altman had all the actors wear portable microphones to assist in creating overlapping dialogue. A technique he first developed during A Wedding and has used several times since.

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Goofs

When Lewis and Probert are listening to the music, the shadow of the camera is visible just before the cut.

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Quotes

Lady Sylvia McCordle: Far be it from me to contradict Louisa.

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Crazy Credits

The cast credits at the end are separated between upstairs and downstairs.

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Connections

References The Remains of the Day (1993)

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Soundtracks

"What a Duke Should Be"
(1916)
Sung by Jeremy Northam
Music by Ivor Novello
Lyrics by Clifford Grey
© Ascherberg Hopwood & Crew Limited
By kind permission of Warner/Chappell Music Ltd.

User Reviews

Not for everyone

I wish I was more surprised that there are so many negative comments, but I'm not. This is not American Pie. It's a beautifully acted and very well written film for adults with an attention span of more than 5 minutes. Concentrate, it's worth it. I don't give 10's easily. This is a 10!