Dustin Hoffman Loves 'Downton Abbey': 'It's As Good As Any Film I've Seen'

Dustin Hoffman may have put Dame Maggie Smith's acting talents to good use in his new movie, but he admits he's a recent convert to 'Downton Abbey'.

The 75-year-old makes his directorial debut with 'Quartet', which stars Smith alongside Billy Connolly, Tom Courtenay and Pauline Collins.

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But speaking at a screening of the film in Los Angeles, he admitted he's a latecomer to Downton-mania.

"I must say I saw my first episode last night," he confessed.

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"It's my wife's favourite show and for some reason I'd never seen any of it.

"But I saw the pilot, and it's extraordinary - I was pooh-poohing it and I shouldn't have, because it's really well directed, it's well shot, it's beautifully acted and it's as good as any film I've seen."

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