Period Drama

Little Women (2019) by Greta Gerwig

The beloved novel by Louisa May Alcott has been adapted several times for cinema and TV, but never like this. Screenwriter and director Greta Gerwig brings a modern feel to this story. Her characters are all relatable in a way that has not been achieved is previous adaptations, especially the character of Amy has been improved while still remaining true to the original. The non-linear storytelling adds new connections between beloved moments, and keeps the audience engaged. The visuals are stunning, and brought out the characters really well.

Oscar winner for Costume Design, nominations in other categories.

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, James Norton, Bob Odenkirk, Gary Cooper, Louis Garrel and Meryl Streep

Anna Karenina (2012) by Joe Wright

One of the most beautiful period dramas, based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy. Director Joe Wright is a master of this genre, and the cast and crew in this are perfect. The film tells the well-known story of an unhappily married aristocrat in St. Petersburg, who starts an affairs and gets into a difficult situation. Beautiful and wonderfully executed.

Oscar winner for Costume Design, nomination for Production Design and other categories.

Starring: Keira Knightley, Jude Law, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Matthew Macfadyen, Kelly Macdonald, Alicia Vikander, Dohmnall Gleeson

North and South (2004) by Brian Percival

 The Victorian novel by Elizabeth Gaskell has long been a favorite of mine, not only because of the wonderful contrasting descriptions of the North and South of England. To some extent, it is a novel (and therefore mini-series) about prejudice and unfair comparisons, and therefore a universal topic. It is the story of Margaret Hale, who is forced to move up north to Manchester from an idyllic Southern village. As this is the time of the industrial revolution, the North seems very dirty and loud to her, and the people harsh and unkind. This contrast is wonderfully shown in the production design and costumes, and contributes to the magic of this BBC mini-series.

Starring: Daniela Denby-Ashe, Richard Armitage, Brendan Coyle, Leslie Manville, Sinead Cusack 

A Royal Affair (2012) by Nikolaj Arcel

This is a Danish production, starring a Swedish-Danish cast. Set in 1767 at the Danish court, this costume film depicts the life of the young queen Caroline. As the king suffers from mental illness, her life at court is very difficult, and so she turns elsewhere for joy - especially a German doctor catches her attention. This film is loosely based on history and several books about King Christian VII of Denmark, and shows life at the Danish court in an opulent way.

Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

Starring: Alicia Vikander, Mads Mikkelsen, Mikkel Boe Folsgaard, Trine Dyrholm

Tess of the D‘Urbervilles (2008) by David Blair

A mini-series based on one of Thomas Hardy's best-known novels. Tess is a young woman from a poor background, but might have a claim related to a wealthy part of the family. She need to set priorities between money and moral standards, which becomes more difficult when she falls in love. A wonderful setting in magical light, showing the contrasts of wealth in wonderful costumes. 

Starring: Gemma Arterton, Eddie Redmayne, Hans Matheson, Donald Sumpter

Downtown Abbey (2019) by Michael Engler

Fans of the TV series Downton Abbey of course know the beautiful setting and costumes of this world, and the film which followed after the end of the series did not disappoint. The aristocratic Crawley family gets ready for a royal visit to their Abbey, and the servants have plenty of work. As always, the connections and contrasts of the upstairs/downstairs chemistry is the heart of Downton Abbey, and the wonderful costumes and dialogues add their charm.

Starring: Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Allen Leech, Jim Carter, Maggie Smith, Matthew Goode and many more 

Bright Star (2009) by Jane Campion

A little-known tale about the life of Romantic poet John Keats and his lover Fanny Brawne. Too poor to marry, Keats was dependent on others and could not follow his heart. But he was able to draw inspiration from his love, as many poems and letter from this time show. Jane Campion creates a visual and poetic masterpiece, in which not only the costumes, but also elements of nature such as butterflies and flowers play an important visual role. 

Starring: Abbie Cornish, Ben Wishaw, Paul Schneider, Thomas Sangster-Brodie 

A Room with a View (1985) by James Ivory

Based on the novel by E.M. Forster, this tale is about a young woman named Lucy Honeychurch, who is finding herself in Edwardian England. Torn between the strict rules of society and her own will, she is strongly influenced by some of the people she meets, especially when she travels to Italy. The production designs and the costumes mirror those contrasts wonderfully.

Oscar Winner of Best Art Direction-Set Direction and Best Costume Design (as well as Best Screenplay)

Starring: Helena Bonham Carter, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Daniel Day-Lewis

Sense and Sensibility (1995) by And Lee

A classic based on Austen's beloved novel, this is one of the best period drama productions with a masterful direction and an Oscar-winning script. It tells the story of the Dashwood sisters, who are impoverished and therefore struggle to make ends meet. Having very different tempers, the sisters find their own way of coping with the situation and the opportunities brought to them. Wonderful performances and a lovely setting. 

Oscar Nomination for Costume Design and several others; plus a win for Best Adapted Screenplay (by Emma Thompson)

Starring: Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, Harriet Walter, Imelda Staunton, Hugh Laurie

Belle (2013) by Amma Asante

Based on a real event in 18th century England, this film depicts the life of a mixed-race girl who grows up in an aristocratic setting. A famous painting of the girl with her cousin made this story known, and it is presented in a fictionalised way in this film. The unusual situation at the time led to many strange consequences for the girl named Belle, and confronted the manners and prejudice of high society. The film is beautifully made and shows the opulent lifestyle of the aristocracy.

Starring:  Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Matthew Goode, Emily Watson, Miranda Richardson, Penelope Wilton, Tom Wilkinson, James Norton