DVD Corner

Fackham Hall Blu-ray Review

“Fackham Hall” is a strangely dull parody film.  

Penned by Steve and Andrew Dawson, Tim Inman, and Jimmy and Patrick Carr, “Fackham Hall” is a spoof movie that primarily tackles “Downton Abbey” and the works of Agatha Christie. The 1931 set story concerns the Davenport family that own the titular manor. Having lost all of his sons to accidents, Lord Davenport (Humphey) is in need of a male heir. His daughter Poppy was set to marry Archibald, but she backs out. He and his wife Prudence hope that their other daughter Rose will decide to marry Archibald, but she has her sights set on Eric (a pickpocket/orphan). Eric was set to deliver an important letter to the Davenports, but instead takes up a job there where he falls for Rose. That letter, however, will play a key role in the story’s events (and one you can see coming a mile away). Later on in the story, a murder takes place in which Eric is wrongfully accused of the crime. Who is the real culprit and can Inspector Watt discover the truth?

Directed by Jim O’Hanlon, the R-rated “Fackham Hall” never quite finds its rhythm as a parody film. There are plenty of one-liners, plays on words, raunchy moments, and sight gags about the upstairs/downstairs dynamic, traditions, the servants, an Inspector’s mustache, a cockney musical number, and what not, but the jokes rarely land. There’s a few chuckles here and there, but nothing that would elicit hearty laughter. There’s even a couple modern references which really have no place being here. Much of the story is devoted to the rather boring romance between Eric and Rose. It really puts a damper on the whole spoof element.

Where “Fackham Hall” really shines is with the attention to detail in parodying “Downton Abbey” especially. The production design, the David Arnold and Oli Julian score, the costumes, and even some lookalike actors are spot on in spoofing the popular British show. The movie even includes a historical figure visiting Fackham Hall which is something “Downton Abbey” did (in the movies especially).

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect here is that a talented cast is largely wasted in their roles. Damian Lewis, Katherine Waterson, and Thomasin McKenzie are far too good for this movie, but perhaps they wanted to be in something less serious. Tom Felton of “Harry Potter” movie fame also shows up as Archibald.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.35:1 1080p. Grade: A-

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA: Grade: A-

Extras include 15 deleted scenes.

January 24, 2026 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Damian Lewis, Downton Abbey, Fackham Hall, Fackham Hall Blu-ray Review, Katherine Waterson, Parody, Thomasina McKenzie, Tom Felton