THE END OF AN ERA

THE FINAL CHAPTER OF THE DOWNTON ABBEY STORY OFFERS A POLITE FAREWELL

- REVIEWS BY DAMON SMITH

JULIAN Fellowes' lavish period drama comes to a heartfelt and gushingly sentimental conclusion with a third big screen instalment directed by Simon Curtis, which struggles to conjure up enough satisfying drama to fill two hours of gorgeously lit screen time.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale teases pomp and majesty with its sweeping subtitle but the script divides its cheerios across a pedestrian running time, interspersed with biting one-liners for which Fellowes and his chocolate box creation have become rightfully renowned.

Maggie Smith's absence is keenly felt although Penelope Wilton steps into the fray with a few biting asides.