'Superb' film with 'the best cast ever assembled' is streaming free on BBC iPlayer

A five-star period film with one of the best casts of British icons ever assembled will stream for free on BBC iPlayer this weekend.

The channel’s free streaming service has acquired the iconic drama from 2001 for five months, so cinephiles have plenty of time to watch.

A logline for the cult classic reads: “Period piece set in the early 1930s with an all-star cast.

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“A weekend shooting party at a country mansion turns into a murder mystery when the host is found dead.

“It seems that everyone has a motive, from the guests upstairs to the staff downstairs. Among the gathering are cash-strapped relatives of the victim, a Hollywood movie mogul and songwriter Ivor Novello.”

Featuring a long list of acting greats, the film boasts Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren, Richard E Grant, Charles Dance and Kelly Macdonald in the cast, just to name a few.

From acclaimed director Robert Altman, the film in question is Gosford Park, a favourite amongst film fanatics and absolutely deserving of your attention soon.

One rave review on Google reads: “Easy 5 stars. Superb period piece black comedy/whodunit set in an opulent English country estate in 1932.

“The best ensemble cast ever assembled in a film, and directed by Robert Altman, it features a dazzling array of upstairs/downstairs characters split between the servants and the guests.”

Including an intriguing piece of trivia, they went on: “The brilliant cast was mic'd up for the group scenes so that, even when not the focus of attention, ad-libs could be used in the edit.

“Top shelf production value across the board, this is a ripping yarn told with tremendous style and relish. Enjoy!”

Someone else gushed: “Like many of [Altman’s] films, it's a masterpiece.

“I can't think of any other film centered on this period / themes whose characters are rendered with this kind of sensitivity and nuance. There is so much emotion in their faces.”

And a final fan added: “A brilliant movie, with brilliant acting and, of course, brilliant direction.”

Some reviewers have warned this is not your typical murder mystery, but still expect top-notch acting and a gripping narrative if you decide to add Gosford Park to your watchlist.

Gosford Park is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.