Gosford Park

Gosford Park

“If there's one thing I don't look for in a maid it's discretion, except with my own secrets, of course.” – Constance Trentham (“Gosford Park” – 2001)

It’s murder when a group of the wealthy (and not so wealthy) gathers with their servants at an estate in the English countryside. When William McCordle (Michael Gambon) is found poisoned and stabbed, will the real culprit be caught? While you’re watching “Gosford Park” here are a few things to look for.

Which Shoulder Is It?

At the beginning when Constance Trentham (Maggie Smith) and Mary Maceachran (Kelly MacDonald) are in the car, Lady Trentham knocks on the glass partition. In the back shot of Mary, we see her turn and look at Lady Trentham over her right shoulder. But in the next front shot, Mary is looking over her left shoulder.

Watch Where You’re Putting That

Lady Trentham and Mabel Nesbitt (Claudia Blakely) are talking in one of the sitting rooms. Watch closely when Lady Trentham talks about “breaking in a new maid”. In the close-up of the two women, we see Freddie Nesbitt (James Wilby) behind Lady Trentham and he sets his cup and saucer on the stand to his right. In the following wider shot, where we see Lady Sylvia McCordle (Kristin Scott Thomas), we see Freddie setting the cup and saucer down again.

That Stain Is Never Coming Out!

Henry Denton (Ryan Phillippe) gets hot coffee spilled in his lap in the sitting room. Henry gets angry and leaves the room. Keep a close eye on Lady Trentham. In the wider shot, she’s holding the newspaper open in front of her. It cuts to a close-up of her and the newspaper is closed. We actually see her opening it.

Maybe There Was A Draft

Inspector Thompson (Stephen Fry) enters the servants’ quarters. Watch the door behind him closely. The door remains open, even when Mrs. Wilson (Helen Mirren) is talking to him. But when Mrs. Croft (Eileen Atkins) enters the room, she has to open the door first.

How Many Scarves Does She Have?

Near the end, everyone is leaving the house. Lady Trentham is in her room with Mary and Lady Sylvia. We never see her wearing a scarf. But, when she sits down at the vanity, she hands Mary a scarf. A few moments later, we see Lady Trentham take off the same scarf!

Look for this movie and more at