WAITING FOR DOWNTON

If you’re counting the days until the Downton

Abbey movie (Sept. 20), here are a few ways to quell your cravings for British period drama.

► Gosford Park (2002): Written by Downton scribe Julian Fellowes and starring Maggie Smith, this British murder-mystery movie is set at a party in 1932 in England as the upstairs diners and downstairs servants sweat over the death of one of the guests.

► Pride and Prejudice (1995): There are many adaptations of the Jane Austen novel, but no one can beat Colin Firth in this miniseries as the haughty Mr. Darcy, who meets an opinionated Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle). Soon, misconceptions and sparks start to fly.

► Sense and Sensibility (1995): Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman and Kate Winslet appear in this all-star adaptation of another Austen tale, about what happens to the wife and daughters of rich Mr. Dashwood after his death.

► The Remains of the Day (1993): Sir Anthony Hopkins was nominated for an Oscar for his role as a butler who sacrifices all (including Emma Thompson) to be of service to his employer, only realizing too late how misguided his loyalty was.

► A Room With a View (1985): Young Lucy Honeychurch (Helena

Bonham Carter) falls in love with free-spirited George (Julian Sands) in Edwardian England.

► Brideshead Revisited (1981): The TV miniseries launched the careers in America of Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews.

► Vanity Fair (2004): Orphan Becky Sharp (Reese Witherspoon) is determined to overcome her poverty-stricken background and enter the ranks of British aristocracy alongside her best friend, Amelia (Romola Garai).