Gosford Park was lauded by critics (Image: Publicity Picture)

A period drama praised as a ‘masterclass’ and penned by the creative genius behind Downton Abbey is now available to watch for free on BBC iPlayer.

The 2001 satirical black comedy Gosford Park, helmed by Robert Altman and written by Julian Fellowes, is a murder mystery inspired by Jean Renoir’s French masterpiece The Rules of the Game.

Made on a budget of less than $20million, the film became a worldwide box office triumph, earning more than $87million globally.

It secured seven Academy Award nominations, including best picture and best director, with Fellowes claiming the Oscar for best original screenplay.

The film features a stellar ensemble cast brimming with acting legends, including Helen Mirren, Stephen Fry, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Alan Bates, Richard E Grant, and Clive Owen, alongside Kelly Macdonald, Kristin Scott Thomas and Emily Watson, amongst others.

The film was nominated for seven Oscars and bagged one for Best Original Screenplay (Image: Getty Images)

Set during the 1930s, the narrative follows a collection of affluent, distinguished and self-regarding guests alongside their household servants gathered beneath one roof for a dramatic weekend at an English country estate and hunting lodge – Gosford Park.

When a murder takes place during a dinner party, the film explores the intricate network of characters and their differing perspectives as suspicion shifts between each of them.

Julian Fellowes’s enormously popular television series Downton Abbey originated as a possible spin-off from Gosford Park, though it eventually evolved into an independent production while maintaining substantial influence from Altman’s film.

Boasting an impressive 87 per cent critical approval on Rotten Tomatoes, the BAFTA-winning work has received widespread acclaim.

Stephen Fry and Kristin Scott Thomas in Gosford Park (Image: Getty Images)

One critic said: “A beautifully acted, intricately made, and delightfully critical picture that nonetheless locates moments of humanity in a debased class system.”

Another reviewer added: “The beauty of Robert Altman’s Gosford Park is how it delicately balances the numerous storylines to create a wonderful mosaic of characters.”

A third critic hailed it as “a masterclass in narrative plate-spinning from Robert Altman and his feast of a cast.”

An additional reviewer said: “Taking advantage of a splendid cast, a sharply focused script and the fresh English setting, “Gosford Park” emerges as one of the most satisfying of Robert Altman’s numerous ensemble pictures.”

Audiences were equally enthralled, with one saying: “Just excellent, very funny, excellent actors, brilliant writing and of course one of the best directors ever. Just maybe the best ever… and can be re-watched numerous times just for pure pleasure.”

A further viewer said: “What makes this movie work so well for me is how the characters have their own personality. Their actions ring true to their motives and the drama is entirely human even with the various contrivances. The actions felt appropriate for the period and I believed this to be a story that could actually have happened. It is sincere and bittersweet.”

Gosford Park is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.