Top 10 Period Dramas

12th June 2014

The Invisible Woman (2013)

Ralph Fiennes directs and stars in this engrossing period drama focusing on the illicit relationship between Charles Dickens (a charismatic performance from Fiennes himself) and his mistress, Nelly Ternan (Felicity Jones). Fiennes shows a deft directorial touch for dealing with the sensitive subject matter, and Jones gives a standout performance as the fragile, emotionally repressed Nelly, who was almost written from history.

The Age of Innocence (1993)

Martin Scorsese directed this tale of 19th century New York high society in which a young lawyer, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, falls in love with his fiancé’s cousin, the Countess Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer) and in the process exposes the hypocrisy of the establishment. Based on the novel by Edith Wharton of the same name, Scorsese said it was his ‘most violent’ film to date, referring to the emotional turmoil suffered by the principal characters.

Sense & Sensibility (1995)

Ang Lee directed this adaptation of the Jane Austen classic, and Emma Thompson won a thoroughly deserved Oscar for her adapted screenplay. She also turns in a pitch-perfect performance as the put-upon Elinor Dashwood, ably supported by Kate Winslet as flighty younger sister Marianne, while Hugh Grant, Greg Wise and Alan Rickman play the various suitors which the Dashwood sisters must navigate.

An Ideal Husband (1999)

Based on the Oscar Wilde play, this romantic comedy stars Jeremy Northam, Rupert Everett, Julianne Moore, Cate Blanchett and Minnie Driver in this tale of government minister Sir Robert Chiltern (Northam) who finds himself in hot water after an old acquaintance (Moore) threatens to uncover past misdeeds, throwing his perfect marriage into jeopardy. He enlists the help of old friend, philanderer Lord Goring (Everett) and the resulting social satire is arguably Wilde’s funniest play.

Gosford Park (2001)

Julian Fellowes cut his teeth on this Oscar-winning screenplay long before Downton Abbey, but the similarities are evident in this exquisite 1930’s murder mystery. Director Robert Altman uses the premise of a weekend away in the country to pick apart the hypocrisy and eccentricities of the British class system, and the whip-smart script is perfectly brought to life by a startling cast, headed up by Dames Maggie Smith and Helen Mirren, Michael Gambon, Clive Owen, Kristin Scott Thomas and Stephen Fry.

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Joe Wright’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s most famous work earned him a BAFTA for most promising newcomer and follows the trials and tribulations of the five Bennett sisters after two eligible bachelors move into town- Mr Darcy (Matthew MacFayden) and Mr Bingley (Simon Woods). Wright was famously reluctant to cast Keira Knightley in the lead role of Elizabeth Bennett, deeming her ‘too attractive’… until he met her, and realised her tomboyish attitude was ideal for the role.

Atonement (2007)

Arguably Joe Wright’s greatest film to date, this heartbreaking wartime drama based on Ian McEwan’s bestselling novel boasts a stellar cast, including James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Saiorse Ronan, Benedict Cumberbatch and Vanessa Redgrave. When the budding romance between Cecilia Tallis (Knightley) and Robbie Turner (McAvoy) is cut brutally short following a lie told by Bryony Tallis (Ronan), the repercussions span several decades. Wright’s tackling of the novel’s twist ending is a particular masterstroke.

The Duchess (2008)

This biographical drama chronicles the life of 18th century aristocrat Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, played by Keira Knightley. A celebrity of the time, Georgiana’s charm, activism and fashion bring her adoration everywhere she goes. But the stifling restraints of her controlling husband (Ralph Fiennes) lead her into a passionate affair with the younger Charles Grey (Dominic Cooper) highlighting the stark, appalling differences in treatment between men and women in the aristocracy of the 18^th century.

The Young Victoria (2009)

Emily Blunt shines in this brilliantly crafted account of Queen Victoria’s early years on the throne, directed by Jean-Marc Vallée. Tackling the tempestuous relationship with her mother and the constitutional crises she faced as a young monarch, Blunt is ably supported by Rupert Friend as Prince Albert, the suitor who eventually won her heart.

Jane Eyre (2011)

Mia Wasikowska takes the lead in Cory Fukunaga’s beautifully crafted, minimal adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s classic. When the modest Jane Eyre (Wasikowska) arrives at Thornfield to take the position of governess, her relationship with her employer Mr Rochester (a hugely underrated performance by Michael Fassbender) rapidly crosses the professional boundary- until she discovers he’s harbouring a devastating secret.

The Invisible Woman is available on Blu-ray and DVD from 16th June 2014, courtesy of Lionsgate Home Entertainment.

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