Downton Abbey | The Dowager Countess' Final Ball

When the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith) learns she doesn't have much longer to live, she takes advantage of a ball at Harewood House to pass on the legacy of Downton Abbey to a new generation.

FILM SYNOPSIS:
The worldwide phenomenon, Downton Abbey, returns in a spectacular motion picture, as the beloved Crawleys and their intrepid staff prepare for the most important moment of their lives. A royal visit from the King and Queen of England unleashes scandal, romance and intrigue that leave the future of Downton hanging in the balance. Written by series creator Julian Fellowes and starring the original cast, this grand cinematic experience will have you cheering for your favorite characters all over again.

[jamescampbell]

“I have lived a privileged and interesting life, and now, it’s time to go.” Beautiful line

[Parky]

I'd love them to do a prequel when she was younger, the Russian love affair etc

[cairoinc]

"I'll be fine until I'm not."
Hurrah! for Dame Maggie Smith.
One of my most favorite moments in all of moviedom!

[markmh]

When I was in college (a few decades past), the grand old hotel in our city held "Tea dances" every Friday afternoon, featuring a 14 piece orchestra and dancing in the lobby. Those of us college students from the college's ballroom dancing class would dress up and go downtown each Friday to enjoy a beverage and dancing to great music like this. And -- at least once each week -- we would all fan out toward the rest of the typically elderly audience to ask our "seniors" to dance -- boys and girls alike. While we were not in tuxedos and jewels like here at Downton Abbey (we saved that for Prom!), we were in jackets and ties and cocktail dresses, and made quite a sight swirling on the dance floor. These were some of my fondest memories from college. 😊👍🍾 🍷

[doc_]

This hits so different now... She will forever be the very heart of this wonderful show.

[carlhicksjr]

So, I'm a combat veteran. When I was 22 I really did think that 23 was unlikely. I'm now in my mid-50s and every day has been another opportunity to make mistakes, amend them, and find new ones to make. Coming to terms with one's own mortality at a young age has been a gift, really.
To quote the Dowager Countess Grantham, "I'll be fine until I'm not." And that really is OK.

[LGranthamsHeir]

7:45 "Do we agree to keep things civil between us, Minerva?"
7:50 "Indeed, Dolores. And don't be so defeatist. It's very middle class!"

[jimhall]

"I'll be fine until I'm not". I love this line.

[portiawest]

My moms grandmother died a few months after this came out and we looked for hours for the clip where the dowager talks to Mary to use at the funeral as downton was her favorite show. I finally found it today and my mom said it was like a piece of her grandmother was talking to her again

[locdemperor]

It’s one of the shows that honestly should have been a soap opera that last for decades

[eugenegm]

Even Maggie Smith said that her character is so old that it defies credibility that she is still living.

[kath]

Favorite part is when mary said Granny would watch from every picture and speak from books..."That sounds exausting! Id rather rest in peace." 😂 Maggie Smith is a National Treasure. Or should be. Loved her from her first syllable.

[movies-mtso]

✨VULGARITY IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR WIT✨😗true downtown abbey fans will know

[robertd.carver]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: "Downton Abbey" is the BEST TV miniseries EVER!

[choryllis]

I love that Mary said Edith looked sunny that night, because it made me realize they were dressed to be the sun and the moon.

Edith with her gold hair, gold dress and gold jewelry, thinner straps to signify warmth, and her diadem having little spikes on it as the points of light.
Mary with her dark hair, silver dress and silver jewelry, thicker straps to signify coolness, and her diadem has stars in it.

[philipsmith]

Most, if not all, of us have a great attachment to Maggie Smith. I know she has had to deal with breast cancer so I worry about that. It will be a sad world without her Maggie Smith in it. I love you Maggie!

[philboudreaux]

I'm going to miss the Dowager Countess of Grantham, no one can replace Dame Maggie Smith. I bet Lady Mary will give it one hell of a try though.

[susannahjones]

I like seeing Mary and Edith getting along.

[amygareis]

I think Mary is the next generation's Violet.

[MarkHyde]

The merry dance of the pathos life so cinematically depicted in this one sequence. So well staged and acted.