Gosford Park [DVD] [2001]

Plays DVD, CD, EVD, VCD, CD-RW, DVD-R, VOB, MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG3, MPEG4, DIVX, MP3, WMA, JPG and JPEG formats; up to 2.5 hours of playback; headphone jack

The class conscious murder mystery that earned seven Academy Award nominations in 2001, arrives on DVD in a package sure to please both fans of Gosford Park and it's highly revered director, Robert Altman. The film is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen format with a Dolby Digital 5.1 English soundtrack. Both English and Spanish subtitles are available and in a movie populated with heavy accents and overlapping dialogue, it's a feature likely to be used. Two "Feature Commentaries" are included on the Special Features. Altman, production designer Stephen Altman and producer David Levy narrate the first commentary and screenwriter Julian Fellowes voices the second. Fourteen "Deleted Scenes" are included with optional commentary. Most cuts are short and judicious, but there are a few choice morsels that add further enlightenment to fans, most notably, a mention of McCordle's plans to write Elsie into his will. The obligatory "Cast & Filmmakers Filmographies," "Theatrical Trailer" and "Coming Attractions" are also included. The best bonus material comes in two featurettes and a Q&A. "The Making of Gosford Park" looks at Altman's unique directing approach for such a large ensemble cast and "The Authenticity of Gosford Park" introduces us to three octogenarian advisors--a former butler, cook and housemaid--Altman used on set to instruct the actor's in their roles. Following a screening of Gosford Park at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation guild members asked Altman, Fellowes, Levy, Bob Balaban, Kelly MacDonald, Helen Mirren, Jeremy Northam and Ryan Phillippe questions concerning the movie. The taped session is one of the most entertaining and informative features on this DVD. While it's unfortunate that the divine Maggie Smith didn't participate, Northam's dead-on impression of the dame is definitely one of the Q&A's highlights. On a whole, this is one comprehensive, entertaining disc.