Top 10 period dramas
Colin Firth,Keira Knightley,Gwyneth Paltrow,Helena bonham carter,Joseph Fiennes,Film,Glenn Close,demi moore,emma thompson,atonement,Period drama
brideshead revisited
By Anna Smith
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Rolling hills, heaving bosoms, forbidden romance, strapping young men galloping around on horses… you’ve got Now that Downton Abbey series two is over, and we\'ve got to wait for the Christmas special and the third series next year, we’ve picked out our favourite big-screen period epics to keep you going when the scandal stops. Reader, read on…
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Find out about the third series of Downton Abbey
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Our favourite Downton Abbey quotes
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Brideshead Revisited
Film,Period drama,Brideshead Revisited
brideshead revisited
Three’s a crowd in this love triangle drama based on the Evelyn Waugh novel. Matthew Goode is wide-eyed student Charles Ryder, who befriends wealthy, decadent fop Sebastian (Ben Whishaw) and his beautiful sister Julia (Hayley Atwell). Hearts break in this sumptuous, sparkling 1940s-set adaptation.
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Watch our video interview with Ben Whishaw
Elizabeth
cate Blanchett,Film,Period drama
elizabeth
Ever the chameleon, Cate Blanchett really got under the skin of Queen Liz I in this Oscar-winning epic about the early years of the troubled monarch. With drama and romance aplenty, it ticked all the boxes for a classic regal romp.
Pride and Prejudice
pride and prejudice,Colin Firth,Keira Knightley,Jane Austen,Film,Period drama
pride and prejudice
This sumptuous 2005 adaptation managed to win over die-hard Jane Austen fans, and proved Keira Knightley naysayers wrong to boot. The plummy actress brought plenty of feistiness to the table as proud heroine Lizzie Bennet, even if
Matthew Macfadyen was no Colin Firth. Special mention goes to
Donald Sutherland as the adorable, dryly comic Mr Bennet.
Atonement
Keira Knightley,James McAvoy,Film,atonement,Period drama
atonement
P&P director Joe Wright teamed up with Keira once again for this stunning tear-jerker that landed an Oscar and a ton of other awards. We start sniffing at the mere thought of the doomed romance between Cecilia and Robbie (James McAvoy), although the memory of the fabulous 1930s frocks certainly softens the blow.
Dangerous Liaisons
michelle pfeiffer,Film,Glenn Close,Period drama,Dangerous Liaisons
dangerous liaisons
Everyone wanted to be
John Malkovich after seeing this classic drama set in the aristocratic courts of 18th century France. Glenn Close is fabulously glamorous as the evil schemer who sends her cunning ex on a mission to seduce and destroy, and complications and erotic tussles abound.
Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)
Film,Period drama,Cyrano de Bergerac,Gerard Depardieu
cyrano de bergerac
Big-nosed Cyrano (
Gerard Depardieu) nurses a secret love for the beautiful Roxane, but she only has eyes for local hottie Christian, whose nose is kinda cute and small. When Cyrano starts writing Christian’s love letters for him, it all starts to kick off in this witty, graceful and utterly moving adaptation of the 17th century-set play.
Shakespeare In Love
Shakespeare In Love,Gwyneth Paltrow,Joseph Fiennes,Film,Period drama
shakespeare In love
Cross-dressing, misunderstandings, forbidden passions – this delightful comedy-drama could have been written by Shakespeare himself, and that’s all part of the joke. Joseph Fiennes is suitably dashing as the young bard inspired to write a play by gorgeous Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow), who in turn dresses as a man and auditions for a role. Great fun.
Howard\'s End (1992)
Howard\'s End,Helena bonham carter,Film,emma thompson,Period drama
howards end
One of Merchant Ivory’s finest, this features the beautifully British pairing of
Emma Thompson and Helena Bonham Carter. They’re compassionate sisters who become involved with a wealthy family who own a cottage in Howard’s End. A rich, character-driven drama that landed a very respectable three Oscars.
The English Patient (1996)
Film,Period drama,The English Patient,ralph fienne,juliette binoche,kristin scott thomas
the english patient
After sweeping the board at the Academy Awards, this WWII drama went on to become one of the best-loved tear-jerkers of all time, and quite right too. Hearts bled along with the poorly patient, and
Ralph Fiennes and
Kristin Scott Thomas carried themselves with aplomb. And to think, they nearly cast
Demi Moore…
A Room With A View (1985)
Helena bonham carter,Film,Period drama,A Room With A View
a room with a view
Innocent schoolgirl hearts fluttered when this swooning romance hit the big screen in 1985. And no wonder: it was the perfect depiction of a sheltered romantic cherishing a secret passion while trying to elude her disapproving guardian. Helena Bonham Carter shot to the top of the costume drama casting call list, and the poppy field scene remains Julian Sands’ finest moment – fact.
The Piano (1993)
Film,TV,trailers,staying in,Period drama,The Piano,Holly Hunter,Sam Neill,Harvey Keitel
the piano
More hard-hitting – literally - than your average period drama, this chilly Kiwi classic saw a mute Holly Hunter marrying an unpleasant Harvey Keitel, and seeking solace in her piano, her young daughter and the requisite forbidden romance. Exceptional performances and cinematography helped this nab three Oscars, and a place in our sentimental little hearts. Play on.
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