Gosford Park

Gosford Park is a 2001 film, directed by Robert Altman. The screenplay was written by Julian Fellowes, based on an idea by Altman and Bob Balaban.

Related Topics:
2001 - Film - Robert Altman - Screenplay - Julian Fellowes - Bob Balaban

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A period piece, the film is set in 1932 at an English countryside manor. A group of wealthy Britons and their two American guests--all accompanied by their servants--have gathered at the home of Sir William McCordle for a weekend of pheasant shooting. A murder occurs in the middle of the night. The plot then follows a traditional whodunit format, combining elements of the British murder mystery with those of a comedy of manners.

Related Topics:
Period piece - Film - 1932 - Manor - Britons - American - Pheasant - Whodunit - British - Murder mystery - Comedy of manners

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The film's true central theme, however, is a study of the British class system during the 1930s. In that regard Gosford Park follows in the tradition of Jean Renoir's 1939 film La règle du jeu, as well as the 1970s British television series Upstairs, Downstairs. Many intertwining subplots detail the complex relationships among the characters, both above stairs and below, and a number of secondary themes are also explored. For example, the film takes a subtle look at sexual mores during the 1930s, and touches on gay issues as well. The film also mentions the decline of the British Empire and the peerage system.

Related Topics:
Class system - 1930s - Jean Renoir - 1939 - La règle du jeu - 1970s - Upstairs, Downstairs - Gay - British Empire - Peerage

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While the story is completely fictional, the character of Ivor Novello is based on an actual celebrity of the period.

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The film stars Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jeremy Northam, Bob Balaban, Ryan Phillippe, Stephen Fry, Kelly Macdonald, Clive Owen, Helen Mirren, Eileen Atkins, Emily Watson, Camilla Rutherford, Alan Bates, Derek Jacobi, and Richard E. Grant.

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Maggie Smith - Michael Gambon - Kristin Scott Thomas - Jeremy Northam - Bob Balaban - Ryan Phillippe - Stephen Fry - Kelly Macdonald - Clive Owen - Helen Mirren - Eileen Atkins - Emily Watson - Camilla Rutherford - Alan Bates - Derek Jacobi - Richard E. Grant

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It won the Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay, and was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Helen Mirren), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Maggie Smith), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Costume Design, Best Director and Best Picture. It also won the "Alexander Korda award for the outstanding British film of the year" at the British Academy Film Awards in 2002.

Related Topics:
Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay - Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Best Art Direction-Set Decoration - Best Costume Design - Best Director - Best Picture - British Academy Film Awards

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The pheasant shooting scene is an homage to the 1939 film La règle du jeu.

Related Topics:
1939 - La règle du jeu

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

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Soundtrack: Composed by Patrick Doyle and Ivor Novello. Novello was portrayed by Jeremy Northam in the film.

Related Topics:
Patrick Doyle - Ivor Novello

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