Welcome to the Historical Fiction Online forums: a friendly place to discuss, review and discover historical fiction.
If this is your first visit, please be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above.
You will have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed.
To start viewing posts, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Upstairs Downstairs

Post Reply
rebecca
Compulsive Reader
Posts: 798
Joined: July 2011

Upstairs Downstairs

Post by rebecca » Thu January 19th, 2012, 12:24 am

I don't know why but the updated Upstairs Downstairs didn't work for me, I was disappointed with it. I didn't compare it to Downtown but it simply did not come anywhere near the original version.

I thought the actress Jean Marsh almost slept walked through her part as Rose...What happened to the feisty Rose of the original version. I also admit that I am not a great fan of Keeley Hawes, the only one that seemed to work was Eileen Atkins.

I will probably get the second season but I hope it improves.

Did anyone else watch Upstairs Downstairs?

Bec :)

User avatar
princess garnet
Bibliophile
Posts: 1797
Joined: August 2008
Location: Maryland

Post by princess garnet » Thu January 19th, 2012, 2:21 am

I did as well and enjoyed it. I wasn't born when the original was first broadcasted in the '70s so I can't compare.
There's a 2nd season out? We'll have to wait for it here in the US.
As a tribute, "Masterpiece" included a special features for it on the website. Also you can browse online Archives for the original show info and posters for it.
Last edited by princess garnet on Thu January 19th, 2012, 2:24 am, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Madeleine
Bibliomaniac
Posts: 5860
Joined: August 2008
Currently reading: "Mania" by L J Ross
Preferred HF: Plantagenets, Victorian, crime, dual time-frame
Location: Essex/London

Post by Madeleine » Thu January 19th, 2012, 9:56 am

I quite enjoyed Up/Down (my shorthand for it!) when they showed it last New Year, it was OK but felt a bit rushed; not brilliant but watchable. I love Eileen Atkins but I don't think she's in the second series; Jean Marsh won't be in it either as she had a minor stroke last year. I thought she was OK in it, perhaps she was more subdued as she was promoted to the position of housekeeper, plus of course her character was older and more mature!
Currently reading "Mania" by L J Ross

User avatar
Mythica
Bibliophile
Posts: 1095
Joined: November 2010
Preferred HF: European and American (mostly pre-20th century)
Location: Colorado
Contact:

Post by Mythica » Thu January 19th, 2012, 10:25 am

I watched the first episode but didn't love it. I hadn't watched Downton by that point either so I wasn't comparing it. I've thought about giving it another chance now that I love Downton but I just think it's not as interesting for some reason.

User avatar
Vanessa
Bibliomaniac
Posts: 4378
Joined: August 2008
Currently reading: The Farm at the Edge of the World by Sarah Vaughan
Interest in HF: The first historical novel I read was Katherine by Anya Seton and this sparked off my interest in this genre.
Favourite HF book: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell!
Preferred HF: Any
Location: North Yorkshire, UK

Post by Vanessa » Thu January 19th, 2012, 11:25 am

I enjoyed Upstairs Downstairs but not as much as Downton. You can't beat Downton, I don't think.

I didn't realise there was going to be a second series.
currently reading: My Books on Goodreads

Books are mirrors, you only see in them what you already have inside you ~ The Shadow of the Wind

rebecca
Compulsive Reader
Posts: 798
Joined: July 2011

Post by rebecca » Fri January 20th, 2012, 12:28 am

Gosh I didn't know Jean Marsh had a stroke and if Eileen Atkins is out, then that is a real shame :( ......I was a teen when the old UP/DOWN was on and I remember always loving period drama. It was about the time that Lillie Langtry and The Duchess of Duke Street(I loved both shows) were both showing on the TV.

But in the recent UP/DOWN I just felt the cast ensemble was a bit blah and the plot lines double blah....But I will get the second season because it is watchable.

Bec :)

Post Reply

Return to “Movies, Television, Radio, and Music”