Maverick American filmmaker Robert Altman takes a witty and absorbing look at the foibles of the British class system in this intelligent murder mystery set in the early '30s. Sir William McCordle (Michael Gambon) and his wife Lady Sylvia (Kristin Scott Thomas) are a pair of wealthy British socialites who have invited a variety of friends, relatives, and acquaintances to their mansion in the country for a weekend of hunting and relaxation. Among the honored guests are Constance (Maggie Smith), Lady Sylvia's matronly aunt; Ivor Novello (Jeremy Northam), William's cousin who is also a well-known actor and songwriter; and Morris Weissman (Bob Balaban), an American film producer who is friendly with Ivor and researching an upcoming project. Observing the proceedings are the domestic staff of the mansion, including imperious butler Jennings (Alan Bates); footmen George (Richard E. Grant) and Arthur (Jeremy Swift); Probert (Derek Jacobi), a valet to Sir William; housekeeper Mrs. Wilson (Helen Mirren); Mrs. Croft (Eileen Atkins), who oversees the kitchen; and Elsie (Emily Watson), a maid. Also on hand are the guests' personal servants, including Mary (Kelly Macdonald), Constance's maid; Henry (Ryan Phillippe), Weissman's valet; and Parks (Clive Owens), a butler. While the servants are required to display a high level of decorum, they are expected to be passive observers who do not comment on what they see, though the gossip among them travels thick and fast once they retire to the servants' quarters downstairs. And it turns out that there's plenty worth gossiping about, especially after Sir William turns up dead, and everyone is ordered to stay at the mansion while the police investigate the killing. Gosford Park also features Charles Dance, Tom Hollander, Natasha Wightman, and Ron Webster; the screenplay was written by Julian Fellowes, based on a story by Altman and co-star Bob Balaban. Mark Deming, Rovi
- Genre: Comedy Drama
- Category Whodunit, Comedy of Manners, Ensemble Film
- Theme: Servants and Employers, Party Film, Murder Investigations, Class Differences
- Studio: Alliance Canada
- Run Time: 02 hr 17 min
- Language: English, French
- Picture Format: widescreen
- Format: Blu-ray
- Release Date: June 2, 2009
- Lead Actor: Jeremy Northam, Kristin Scott Thomas, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Bob Balaban
- Supporting Actor: Pip the Dog, Steve Markham, Tony Davies, Julian Such, Joanna Maude, George Sherman, Frank Thornton, Sarah Flind, Emma Buckley, Peter Champion, John Fountain, Gregor Henderson Begg, Laurence Fox, Frances Low, Lucy Cohu, Laura Harling, Tilly Gerrard, Will Beer, Alan Bland, Geoff Double, Brian Rumsey, John Cox, Finty Williams, John Atterbury, Ken Davies, Adrian Preater, Ron Webster, Jeremy Swift, Teresa Churcher, Natasha Wightman, Claudie Blakley, Camilla Rutherford, James Wilby, Derek Jacobi, Sophie Thompson, Charles Dance, Geraldine Somerville, Tom Hollander, Ryan Phillippe, Clive Owen, Kelly MacDonald, Stephen Fry, Emily Watson, Eileen Atkins, Helen Mirren, Richard E. Grant, Alan Bates, Leo Bill, Megan Owen, Richard Gamble, Robin Devereux, Terry Sturmey, Ron Puttock, Adrian Scarborough, Trent Ford
- Director: Robert Altman
awards
- Awards: Academy Awards (1), Golden Globe Awards (1)
- Winner: Golden Globe Awards, Best Director, 2001, Robert Altman
- Winner: Academy Awards, Best Original Screenplay, 2001, Julian Fellowes
- Nominations: Academy Awards (5), Golden Globe Awards (2)
- Nominee: Golden Globe Awards, Best Screenplay, 2001, Julian Fellowes
- Nominee: Academy Awards, Best Art Direction, 2001, Stephen Altman, Anna Pinnock
- Nominee: Academy Awards, Best Picture, 2001, Robert Altman, Bob Balaban, David Levy
- Nominee: Academy Awards, Best Supporting Actress, 2001, Helen Mirren, Maggie Smith
- Nominee: Golden Globe Awards, Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Ro, 2001, Helen Mirren, Maggie Smith
- Nominee: Academy Awards, Best Costume Design, 2001, Jenny Beavan
- Nominee: Academy Awards, Best Director, 2001, Robert Altman
