Highclere Castle
and what they felt about England’s role in the world. Furthermore, I was pleased that we were allowed to film in all the principal interiors. So often on film, once through the front door one is, annoyingly, in a completely different house. This is more organic because it’s all in a real home.” He had some favourite areas. “The Library – beautiful
books and décor, space arranged sympathetically – it has a kind of rhythm to itself... long windows looking across the grounds. ‘Inside and outside’ is something the Victorians understood better than the Georgians. Pre-19th century, you might have to go through some kind of hall to access the garden, but the Victorians just threw their doors open and let it all in... and I love the Great Hall where the monks ate centuries ago. It has since moved through Carolean, Georgian, then (as it remains today) Victorian style, parading endless Carnarvon coats of arms.” Asked what inspired his stories and characters, Fellowes
replies, “You look around. I tend to build on emotional predicaments I’ve witnessed, possibly based on people I know, but only as a kind of lifting-off point.”
42 BRITAIN
Above: The Dining Room, with Van Dyck's equestrian portrait of Charles I. Left: Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery) and Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens)
The Edwardian setting splendidly accommodated the
dramatic content of the story. “1912 is not that long ago,” he says. “There were cars, trains, electricity and telephones. I hope that viewers, while they may not identify with the era, might understand that these are ‘modern’ people, and therefore enjoy examining their relationships. Different classes could be friendly. The television cliché that domestic staff were maltreated is unrealistic. There was plenty of work for those downstairs, so no one ever had to stay. But it was a time when everyone knew the rules. Any friendship was governed by the master who, unlike the servant, could dictate the degree of intimacy.” He was tentative at first, he admits, about revisiting
Gosford Park territory. “But eight hours of television versus a feature film of limited length was tempting. I read a book
YOUR PASSPORT TO HERITAGE The Great British Heritage Pass helps overseas visitors discover Britain's magical heritage, including many properties that have had starring roles in period dramas. The Pass is available from three to 30 days and gives FREE ENTRY to almost 500 castles, stately homes, gardens and monuments, saving potentially hundreds of pounds on admission charges. For more information go to:
www.britain-magazine.com/articles/heritage-pass
www.britain-magazine.com
PHOTO: HIGHCLERE CASTLE 2010/NBCU INTERNATIONAL, CARNIVA
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100