If there’s an actress who has perfectly captured the spirit of Britain and its traditions, it’s Dame Maggie Smith. Her roles have represented the essence of British life, from the education system to aristocracy and the quirkiest customs. With unforgettable characters, Maggie Smith invites you to discover the many facets of life in the United Kingdom.
Here are some of her most iconic films and series to help you better understand the essence of Britain.
Downton Abbey
Watching Downton Abbey is like traveling back in time to early 20th-century England. The series tells the story of an aristocratic family and their servants. This is where Maggie Smith shines as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham. Her character is simply incredible, full of sharp, sarcastic remarks and elegance.
The series reveals both the old British traditions and the social changes that were starting to take shape at the time. It also gives you a great sense of how the class system worked in Britain.
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
In this fascinating film, Maggie Smith plays Miss Jean Brodie, an eccentric teacher at a girls' school in Edinburgh. Her character challenges traditional educational norms, as Miss Brodie not only teaches but also influences her students with ideas that were quite controversial for her time.
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie shows how the British education system was evolving and the tensions between progressive ideas and conservative values. Plus, Smith won an Oscar for this role, so you know it’s a must-watch performance!
Harry Potter series
Harry Potter is an iconic saga for many reasons. One of them is how it reflects British culture, including the boarding school system. Hogwarts is not just a school for wizards; it also gives us a glimpse of the rules and lifestyle of private schools in the United Kingdom.
Maggie Smith plays Minerva McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor House, a strict yet kind-hearted professor. Her character is a perfect window into how these schools operate: discipline, tradition, and close relationships between students and teachers.
A Room with a View
This is a classic of British cinema. Here, Maggie Smith plays Charlotte Bartlett, a chaperone who takes her role very seriously. The film is set in the Edwardian era and portrays how strict British social norms clash with the younger characters' desire for freedom and adventure.
It’s one of those stories where you can see the rigidity of British society, but also how people began to rebel against it. If you enjoy tales of repressed love and beautiful landscapes, this film is for you.
The Lady in the Van
This film is based on a true story. Maggie Smith plays Miss Shepherd, a homeless woman who lives in a van parked in a writer's driveway for 15 years.
The Lady in the Van is the perfect mix of humor and melancholy, giving you a glimpse into a side of British life we rarely see in cinema: eccentricity and life outside societal norms. Through this character, we see how British social conventions can be challenged in unexpected ways.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
In this film, a group of British retirees moves to India in search of a new life. Maggie Smith plays Muriel Donnelly, a woman who, at first, refuses to accept cultural differences but gradually opens up to new experiences.
It’s a movie about aging, adaptation, and cultural clash. It also shows how the British view their own colonial history and relationships with other countries. Full of warmth and humor, this film will make you laugh and think at the same time. The sequel is also worth watching!
Sister Act
Although this film is set in the U.S., Maggie Smith’s character, Mother Superior, will remind you of the authority figures often seen in British institutions. She plays a nun who tries to maintain discipline in her convent while everything around her spirals out of control.
It’s a super fun movie that you won’t want to miss if you enjoy lighthearted comedies!
