Alicia I love this movie so much

Redwarmin This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

Comwayon A Disappointing Continuation

Paynbob It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Maddyclassicfilms The Duchess of Duke Street was created by John Hawksworth. The series stars Gemma Jones, Christopher Cazenove, Richard Vernon, John Welsh, John Cater, Victoria Plunckett, Mary Healey and Joanna David.The series is set in London during the Edwardian era. We follow the life of Louisa Trotter(Gemma Jones), a young cockney woman who wants to be a cook more than anything else. Working very hard she learns the art of making food. Her food is superb and well liked by all who taste it. As the years go on Louisa becomes one of the best cooks in London and becomes the owner of the Bentinck Hotel. The Bentinck is more like an apartment building than a hotel, those who stay there love it and call it their home away from home. Louisa has a relationship with the Prince of Wales(later to become King Edward VII), throughout the series Louisa looks back on her relationship with him very fondly.The real love of Lousia's life is the handsome and outgoing aristocrat Charlie Tyrrell(Christopher Cazenove). Their relationship is complicated, they become the best of friends and later briefly become lovers.They both want their relationship to become something more but they never seem to find the right moment to change the nature of the relationship. They have a daughter called Lottie(Lalla Ward)who is raised by tenants of Charlie's on his country estate. Charlie helps Louisa run the Bentinck and keeps a suite there. Later the First World War comes and Charlie leaves to fight.Louisa's loyal staff at the hotel include doorman Starr(John Cater),a former soldier who speaks his mind and who's best friend is his dog Fred. Merriman(John Welsh)the elderly head waiter who wouldn't thank you for suggesting he retire. Bubbly Welsh maid Mary(Victoria Plunckett). The cook Mrs. Cochrane (Mary Healey)and former soldier turned gambler Major Smith-Barton(Richard Vernon). Louisa and her staff become like family and they share the good and bad times together.Besides the relationship between Charlie and Louisa, my favourite relationship is the one between Louisa and the Major. He becomes a father figure to her and a friend.The entire cast are superb but it's Gemma Jones's performance that sticks in the memory the most.Gemma makes Louisa strong and fearless, funny and very admirable. Louisa never forgets where she came from and doesn't become haughty once she becomes a success. I also love she portrays Louisa's unwillingness to show any sort of vulnerability, even when she's alone with Charlie she very seldom lets her guard down, she always has to appear strong and tough possibly because she is afraid that to appear vulnerable would make her appear weak. One of Gemma Jone's best performances.Guest stars include Robert Hardy, Martin Shaw(as Louisa's brother, a real bad lad),Liz Smith, Anthony Andrews, Michael Culver,Joanna David(as Charlie's fragile wife) and Freddie Jones.Moving, funny and endlessly entertaining, this series is one you'll enjoy if you like Upstairs,Downstairs and The House of Eliott. What are you waiting for? Come and check into the Bentinck Hotel.

Darnshank I fell in love with Lord Hazelton. I loved the series, especially those special moments with Charlie and Louisa. I only wished that there had been more interaction between Louisa and Charlie. I just rented the whole series from the library and I think it has to be as good now as it was when it was first shown. Without hitting you over the head with the results of war, the series reminded us of how almost a whole generation was lost to England. Each story also had some of the changes that were caused by the war, especially the changes of those individuals in service. The reason the stories were so good, the plot would change from humor to sadness and keep you the viewer slightly of balance I loved Delightful Mary,and the blustery old Major they were my favorites next to Charlie. I liked it as well as Upstairs, Downstairs. I cared more for these characters. Thank you Masterpiece theater for this wonderful production.I wish we had more of this genre in the future.

jojems Gemma Jones is simply brilliant and unforgettable in this series. It's wonderful to stay with these characters through so many episodes, and the quality never flags. If you haven't seen it, you're in for a treat. In anyone else's hand these stories might seem like melodrama- Gemma et al make every scene utterly convincing. Just a delightful run from start to finish. In the future, fluff like "Bridget Jones" will seem hopelessly dated (Renee What? Hugh Who?) and will be almost entirely forgotten-except by fans who will rent it just to see another great role from Gemma. But "The Duchess of Duke Street" is going to live forever, and will be treasured for many generations to come.Hurrah for The Duchess! Perhaps you Brits will get around to giving the real Ms. Jones her due someday- but in any case she will always be one hell of a Dame to those of us who know and love her work.And yes, since you mention it, this series *is* better than Upstairs, Downstairs. Got it beat by a mile. :)

valsocool This show was one of the best British series ever imported to the States. I watched every episode and was the most entertained by the story, the relationships, the detail to clothing, the acting, and especially as I was a working chef at the time, the food. Seeing Gemma Jones make her character so real from her very humble beginnings at the bottom of the kitchen staff to become a renowned chef and hotel owner was probably a fantasy of mine in the 20th century. I absolutely loved this show and wish I could get it on DVD. I wish we had more good TV like this today. To me even Upstairs Downstairs which I also loved was not as good because the story was more long winded and drawn out. Would someone please bring back good drama to TV.