Gosford Park (2001)

The lives of upstairs guests and downstairs servants at a party in 1932 in a country house in England as they investigate a murder involving one of them.

Director:

Robert Altman

Writers:

Julian Fellowes, Robert Altman (based upon an idea by)

Stars:

Maggie Smith, Ryan Phillippe, Michael Gambon

Won 1 Oscar. Another 32 wins & 73 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	...	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 1930s, the story takes place in an old-fashioned English country house where a weekend shooting party is underway. The story centers on 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, secrets are revealed, and 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:

england | murder | servant | shooting party | country house | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | 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:

18 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 USA:

$395,162, 30 December 2001, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$41,308,615, 6 June 2002

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$87,754,044, 6 June 2002

Company Credits

Production Co:

USA Films,Capitol Films,Film Council

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Jeremy Northam's character plays the piano, it is actually his brother Christopher who is playing. Christopher Northam is a classically trained pianist.

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Goofs

Near the end, Rupert and Jeremy are about to drive away and the cigarette in Rupert's mouth disappears between shots.

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Quotes

[Many years ago, Sylvia and Louisa cut cards to decide which of them would marry Sir William. Louisa lost]
Constance: Anyone care for a game of bridge after dinner? Louisa, how about you?
Louisa Stockbridge: Oh, I don't think so. I've rather gone off cards. I've never been very lucky with them.
Sir William McCordle: Me too.

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the credits it says that the real Ivor Novello never took part in the fictional events portrayed in the film.

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Connections

Featured in The Culture Show: British Film Special (2007)

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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

An excellent period film with an outstanding cast.

This Robert Altman film is one of the best movies of the last decade. The main plot and many sub-plots appear slow to most uninitiated people, but to those who understand the British class system and its demise will find this a truly gripping and amusing film. The performances by the mainly British cast is vastly superior to that which would be given by our American friends.

Maggie Smith deserves a special mention for her outstanding performance as the aged leech Aunt, and the timing of her lines is immaculate.

The only criticism I have of the cast is............why Stephen Fry?? Hugh Laurie would have been more suited to this role.

Rating 10/10.