Gosford Park (2001 Robert Altman)

Absolute to-die-for cast populates Julian Fellowes precursor to Downton, from an idea though by Altman and Bob Balaban - the parallel story about a screenplay being written around a country house murder, perhaps? And certainly a sort of Agatha Christie whodunit.

Amazing editing (vision and sound) - Tim Squyres, Peter Glossop (many period things and Woody Allens), from Andrew Dunn's footage on two concurrently filming cameras.

Below stairs: Helen Mirren, Clive Owen, Richard E Grant, Kelly Macdonald, Emily Watson, Eileen Atkins, Derek Jacobi, Alan Bates, Jeremy Swift (himself to appear in Downton), Sophie Thompson, Adrian Scarborough, Teresa Churcher (libidinous maid who always seems to know better than anyone else what's going on).

Above: Maggie Smith, Kristin Scott Thomas, Michael Gambon, Geraldine Somerville, Charles Dance, Tom Hollander, Jeremy Northam (singing all the Ivor Costello numbers), Bob Balaban, Ryan Philippe, James Wilby, Claudie Blakely, Camilla Rutherford.

And Stephen Fry, Ron Webster. Terrific performances all over the place.

"Oh well - life must go on, I suppose."

Filmed at Wrotham Park, Barnet (exteriors), Ston Easton Park in Somerset (a hotel - servant's quarters) and Syon House (upstairs bedrooms).