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Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jeremy Northam, Bob Balaban ... see more see more... , Alan Bates , Richard E. Grant , Helen Mirren , Eileen Atkins , Emily Watson , Stephen Fry , Kelly Macdonald , Clive Owen , Ryan Phillippe , Tom Hollander , Geraldine Somerville , Charles Dance , Sophie Thompson , Derek Jacobi , James Wilby , Camilla Rutherford , Claudie Blakley , Natasha Wightman , Teresa Churcher , Jeremy Swift , Ron Webster , Frank Thornton , John Fountain , Joanna Maude , Lucy Cohu , Adrian Scarborough , Frances Low , Sarah Flind , John Atterbury , Laurence Fox , Trent Ford , Finty Williams , Emma Buckley , Laura Harling , Tilly Gerrard , Will Beer , Gregor Henderson-Begg , Leo Bill , Ron Puttock , Adrian Preater , John Cox , Ken Davies , Tony Davies , Steve Markham , Terry Sturmey , Julian Such , Alan Bland , Peter Champion , Geoff Double , Robin Devereux , Richard Gamble , Brian Rumsey , Pip the Dog , George Sherman , Megan Owen

Maverick American filmmaker Robert Altman takes a witty and absorbing look at the foibles of the British class system in this intelligent murder mystery set in the early '30s. Sir William McCordle (Mi... read more read more...chael Gambon) and his wife Lady Sylvia (Kristin Scott Thomas) are a pair of wealthy British socialites who have invited a variety of friends, relatives, and acquaintances to their mansion in the country for a weekend of hunting and relaxation. Among the honored guests are Constance (Maggie Smith), Lady Sylvia's matronly aunt; Ivor Novello (Jeremy Northam), William's cousin who is also a well-known actor and songwriter; and Morris Weissman (Bob Balaban), an American film producer who is friendly with Ivor and researching an upcoming project. Observing the proceedings are the domestic staff of the mansion, including imperious butler Jennings (Alan Bates); footmen George (Richard E. Grant) and Arthur (Jeremy Swift); Probert (Derek Jacobi), a valet to Sir William; housekeeper Mrs. Wilson (Helen Mirren); Mrs. Croft (Eileen Atkins), who oversees the kitchen; and Elsie (Emily Watson), a maid. Also on hand are the guests' personal servants, including Mary (Kelly Macdonald), Constance's maid; Henry (Ryan Phillippe), Weissman's valet; and Parks (Clive Owens), a butler. While the servants are required to display a high level of decorum, they are expected to be passive observers who do not comment on what they see, though the gossip among them travels thick and fast once they retire to the servants' quarters downstairs. And it turns out that there's plenty worth gossiping about, especially after Sir William turns up dead, and everyone is ordered to stay at the mansion while the police investigate the killing. Gosford Park also features Charles Dance, Tom Hollander, Natasha Wightman, and Ron Webster; the screenplay was written by Julian Fellowes, based on a story by Altman and co-star Bob Balaban. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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76% liked it

45,697 ratings

Critics

86% liked it

142 critics

R, 2 hr. 18 min.

Directed by: Robert Altman

Release Date: December 26, 2001

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DVD Release Date: June 25, 2002

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Stats: 2,619 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,619)

  • jamers2011
    March 9, 2012
    jamers2011
    Excellent movie! One of the best period pieces I've seen in a while.



    One of the best and most noticeable features of this film is great cast. There are so many big names in this film, British names to be specific...in fact basically every English actor is in this. With... read more this in mind, I had high expectations. The cast delivered. This film is wonderfully acted, with excellent performances from everyone, especially Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren, Kristen Scott Thomas, and Emily Watson.



    Another thing that really stuck out to me was how solid of a period piece this is. The film studies the British class system of the 1930's, and I really felt like I was therein the era. The sets were all stunning and elaborate, as were the wonderful costumes and props. Everything about the appearance of the film was top-notch. An extremely well made film.



    Also the script was great...very powerful and effective. It deserved its Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The story that went along with that was also great. The film is slow, but it does eventually lead of to a murder. This is the main focus of the film, but at the same time it emphasizes the entangled relationships of everyone in the house. I think that's the reason this film suceeds.



    Overall, I think this is a great film. Nominated for 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, this is a must-see film!
  • cosmo313
    October 15, 2011
    cosmo313
    It's the early 1930s and a group of wealthy Britons and an American, along with their servants, all gather at an English country house for a shooting party. All goes along decently well enough until the host, Sir William McCordle is found murdered. From there the film explores th... read moree murder investigation from the perspectives of both the servants and the guests.

    This is some really fun stuff. It's an ensemble darkly comedic whodunit murder mystery period piece, but it's also so much more than that. Yes, a murder is the film's centerpiece, but it's also a finely observed examination of the British class system and the upper class's dependency on servants. The film also touches upon the state of the British Empire during the interwar period, sexual mores of the time, and gay issues, primarily that of the questionable reltionship between the American film producer and his valet. I think that Agatha Christie style whodunits are just fine, but I really appreciated that this film was more than that and tried be entertaining but also provided some insight into the decline of the aristocratic way of life.

    Robert Altman was a great choice for this, and the results are not disappointing, as this is a wonderful film and a great entry in his oeuvre. It's got all his trademarks, most notably the ensemble cast made up primarily (though not exclusivly) of a who's who's of actors and actressess from the U.K.

    It took me a bit to get used to trying to keep the interconnectedness of all the players straight, but once I got the hang out it, I found myself thoroughly entertained. I did have to put the subtitles on, but that's no big thing. The script is quite sharp and filled with all sorts of fun twists, turns, and set ups for who did it and why. This is a rather lengthy film, but I really didn't seem to notice it all that much. Everything just cruises right along and all of the exposition is just juicy and fascinating stuff.

    The cinematography, art direction, and set design are top notch, and the large cast put in some tremendous work. I especially enjoyed Maggie Smith, Kelly Macdonald, and Ryan Phillippe. Oh yeah, and Michael Gambon. He's great too.

    You should really check this out. It's a fantastically done film that's super entertaining and oh so British. Hats way off.
  • stevenecarrier
    May 16, 2011
    stevenecarrier
    Robert Altman's "Gosford Park" is an unusual combination of social commentary and observation of the British social class in the 1930s, a surprisingly emotional murder mystery and a dash of metanarrative that results in a highly rewarding final product. "Gosford Park" boasts a fa... read morentastic ensemble, confident direction and lavish set design and cinematography. Clearly, the most assured film Altman made from 1994 up until his death in 2006. A must see for fans of British filmed entertainment and of the late, great director.
  • FilmFanatik
    December 26, 2010
    FilmFanatik
    This is one of those rare genre hybrid films that excels on every level. It's also one of Robert Altman's very best films and that's saying a lot. I can't imagine how this piece of work was assembled and put together so brilliantly, but I don't really care to. The work speaks ... read morefor itself.
  • LWOODS04
    October 26, 2010
    LWOODS04
    Cast: Maggie Smith, Clive Owen, Kristin Scott Thomas, Michael Gambon, Helen Mirren, Camilla Rutherford, Ryan Phillippe, Charles Dance, Geraldine Somerville, Emily Watson, Tom Hollander, Jeremy Northam, Bob Balaban, Alan Bates, Derek Jacobi, Trent Ford

    Director: Robert Altman
    ... read more
    Summary: Sir William (Michael Gambon) is found dead soon after his guests arrive for a weekend stay at his English estate. Lady Sylvia (Kristin Scott Thomas), Constance (Maggie Smith) and Ivor (Jeremy Northam) try to make sense of the crime. Meanwhile, gossip flies among the household help.

    My Thoughts: "First off, this film has an amazing group of actors. Probably one of the best casted films I have seen. The film is beautifully acted and directed. The characters keep you intrigued throughout. All of them are there for their own greedy reasons. There is so much happening in this film from all the gossiping, to the individual stories, that it might need a second watch to catch it all. Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Croft both have very sad stories which kind of pulls at your heart strings.
    The story is a 'who done it', kind of film. The problem is the suspense of it was lost on me cause the killer(s) was quite obvious for me. Even the reason behind it. But even though it was predictable for me, it still kept my interest. Definitely a film to see."
  • danperry17
    August 13, 2010
    danperry17
    A contemporary Shakespeare by way of Agatha Christie and just a little Alfred Hitchcock, Gosford Park has a little bit of everything: humour, satire, treachery and romance all feature in this update to the traditional comedy of manners.

    By focussing on the servants so much, A... read moreltman flips the story on its head. As in the Charlie Chan films Bob Balaban's character works on, the presumption must be that "the butler did it." So what does Altman do? He gives us 20 maids and valets, and lets the intrigue fly not among the upper class but within the lower. Absolutely brilliant.

    Add to it the pitch-perfect performances of Helen Mirren, Clive Owen, Maggie Smith and - AGAIN - Kelly MacDonald, and you've got one for the ages. This film is a true delight, beautiful in every way, with great shots, lighting, sets and an ensemble cast that is among the best every assembled.
  • flixsterman
    July 25, 2010
    flixsterman
    Something sinister is afoot at the McCordle estate. Gosford Park is equal parts period piece, murder mystery and social class study. Standout performances from Maggie Smith, Kristin Scott and (of course) Helen Mirren.
  • MeetMeinMontauk
    November 26, 2009
    MeetMeinMontauk
    This film is EXTREMELY British. The pacing, the humor, the story. I enjoyed it because I used to read a lot of Agatha Christie novels too. Very intricate and extremely well put together.
  • SirPant
    September 23, 2009
    SirPant
    I found this film quite dull. It?s an odd mix of Renoir?s La règle du jeu and a P.G. Wodehouse book but without being anywhere near as entertaining as either. The cast is amazing but ultimately wasted. Not one of the late, great Altman?s best.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    April 29, 2009
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "Tea At Four. Dinner At Eight. Murder At Midnight."


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

    REVIEW
    ... read morer>
    This is a remarkable film. Those who have described it as thin and boring have simply missed the point; probably because their senses have been dulled by SFX and obvious plots. Robert Altman has used his extraordinary insight to show the multi-layered dependency of the Edwardian English upper classes and their servants in the twilight of their existence. Not only is it a remarkable script, but it is brought to light by an array of the finest acting talents Britain can muster. Of course it takes an hour to bring in all the characters because that is what the film is about. The plots and sub plots are almost incidental to the interweaving of the relationships and the complex development of character, often in a single sentence or even word.

    A wonderfully accurate presentation of upper class England at the beginning of the 20th century. Fantastically good costume, sets, etc. Good performances by the entire ensemble. An interesting murder "mystery" as there is really no mystery as to who committed the murder--take your choice: there are multiple suspects with equally valid motives, opportunity, and action. It's only a question of who "killed" him first. The crime isn't solved, but refreshingly "gotten away with" since the victim was so heinous.

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Critic Reviews

Michael Wilmington
July 20, 2002
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

A scintillating comedy-drama and one of [Altman's] most richly moving and entertaining pictures. Full Review

Joe Baltake
January 11, 2002
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

At its best when it is about nothing. Full Review

Eric Harrison
January 11, 2002
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle

A sweet tune, airy but not quite gay, and it carries a sardonic edge. Full Review

Susan Stark
January 11, 2002
Susan Stark, Detroit News

Disappointing is too soft a choice of words. Full Review

Terry Lawson
January 11, 2002
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

The venerated American director's best film since Short Cuts. Full Review

Philip Wuntch
January 10, 2002
Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning News

Altman is one of the few contemporary directors who consistently showcases excellent women's roles, and he's rewarded with a symphony of strong performances. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
January 10, 2002
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

A succulent and devious drawing-room mystery that, in its panoramic way, takes a puckish pleasure in scrambling and reshuffling the worlds of upstairs and downstairs. Full Review

Richard Roeper
January 10, 2002
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

Everybody's so good in this! Full Review

Stephanie Zacharek
January 8, 2002
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

So craftily made that it can't help pleasing. Full Review

Stephen Hunter
January 4, 2002
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

All in all, Gosford Park has nothing nice to say about anybody, and I like that in a movie. Full Review

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    • Constance Countess of Trentham: What was funny?
    • Henry Denton: You Brits really don't have a sense of humor do you?
    • Elsie: We do if something's funny, sir.
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Gosford Park Trivia

  • what elements unites these movies?? *Reservoir Dogs *The Talented Mr. Ripley *Gosford Park *Bringing Up Baby *The Man Who Never Was  Answer »
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  • What actor starred in all of the following films? Gosford Park, Derailed, Closer, and Children of Men.  Answer »
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