Not many genres attract audiences to the Cinema like the period drama. Since the 1970’s, the period genre has produced unforgettable movies. Whether it’s prejudiced lovers, ships facing disasters or Holocaust survivors, the genre has created several characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best period pieces that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Pride & Prejudice
Jane Austen is a legendary author that earned my mother’s appreciation. I remember bonding with a mother that appreciated the iconic author in English literature. She was always drawn towards the sense and sensibility of an iconic author influencing her identity. My mother grew up to value books written from a feminist point-of-view. Through her lifelong love for Jane Austen, my mother inspired me to make film criticism dreams come true. As someone treasuring fond memories of a mother that took pride in a great author without prejudice, I adored “Pride and Prejudice”. Following its release in 2005, Joe Wright’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest period drama ever made. With the greatest film of his career, Wright did an extraordinary job of adapting Jane Austen’s most beloved literary classic about which readers care. Wright has always had an aptitude for making great period dramas adapting beloved literature, and “Pride & Prejudice” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Wright effectively used montages capturing the lives of women with pride in romantic relationships causing prejudice. For instance, the scene in which Elizabeth angrily confronts Mr. Darcy in the rain about ruining her sister’s chances of marriage causing a dilemma is one of the greatest moments of the period drama genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Keira Knightley, who embodied the most iconic heroine in Jane Austen’s literature effectively. Ultimately, what makes “Pride & Prejudice” my favourite period piece of all-time is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Jane Austen’s literature to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about social class which would resonate with everyone. Centuries following the publication of a book about prejudiced women developing romance facing destruction, it’s a captivating reminder of a great genre that has made bold movies which deserve appreciation.
2. Titanic
The Titanic is a tragic event in history that shaped my brother’s identity. At an early age, I bonded with a brother that had immense knowledge about a shipwreck causing damage. He was interested in becoming educated about a disaster he appreciated. In 1997, James Cameron honoured the tragic shipwreck in his iconic film “Titanic”. With the greatest film of his career, Cameron used innovative cinematic techniques to capture a shipwreck disaster that caused despair. Cameron used stunning production-design to recreate the tragic shipwreck in history. For instance, the scene in which Jack and Rose face tension being torn apart from each other as the ship begins sinking is one of the greatest moments of the period genre. At the centre of it all are a pair of phenomenal performances by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, who embodied star-crossed lovers facing despair. Ultimately, what makes “Titanic” a classic period piece is its universal appeal. The film delivers a universal message about disasters which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years following the tragic sinking of the Titanic that caused consequences which were catastrophic, its a fantastic reminder of a genre making great movies which have created a legacy that’s iconic.
3. The Pianist
Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my family faced bombings in Saudi Arabia causing damage. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. I felt grateful that my family survived the worst disaster in the world imaginable. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured individuals with strong drive to survive disasters that are missed as powerfully as “The Pianist”. Released in 2002, Roman Polanski’s movie captured hardships that a Jewish pianist in WWII went through. Drawing from his personal experiences as a Jew that survived the Holocaust, Polanski created a powerful historical drama about the genocide. Polanski has always excelled at using point-of-view shots in his movies, and his strengths are evident in “The Pianist”. For instance, the scene in which Szpilman breaks down in tears after he is separated from his parents is one of the the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is Adrien Brody, who embodies a pianist that survived catastrophe. Ultimately, what makes “The Pianist” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about survival which resonates with everyone. 90 years after Wladyslaw Szpilman survived ghettos in WWII, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that has made timeless films which audiences value.
4. Little Women
Writing is a passion that I’ve always enjoyed pursuing. As far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to become a famous writer. At an early age, I developed lifelong hobbies for writing words on a page. During childhood, I developed lifelong passions for writing about filmmaking. As someone with a lifelong passion for writing, I adored “Little Women”. Ever since its release in 2019, Greta Gerwig’s movie has stood the test of time as one of the finest period pieces ever made. Gerwig has always had an aptitude for recreating forgotten eras in history using stunning production, and “Little Women” showcased her strengths as a director. For instance, the scene in which Jo March breaks down crying after her sister Amy burns her book destroying her dreams of writing is one of the greatest moments of the genre. It’s anchored by an amazing performance by Saoirse Ronan, who created a compelling heroine. Ultimately, what makes “Little Women” a powerful period piece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about siblings which would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about women that love to write, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made great movies which deserve the spotlight.
5. Bright Star
Poetry is an art that my grandfather always loved dearly. At an early age, I bonded with a grandfather that loved writing stories on the page. I remember my grandfather was a poet that loved writing literature that people in Pakistan would treasure. A renowned Pakistani author, he gave me a lifelong love for literature. As someone treasuring bright memories of a grandfather that became a poetic star, I appreciated “Bright Star”. Released in 2009, Jane Campion’s movie captured the life of a legendary poet in English history. Campion successfully used montages capturing the struggles of a legendary poet with a lifelong love for writing. For instance, the scene in which John Keats first meets Fanny beginning their lifelong romantic affair in a bygone era is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a great role by Ben Whishaw, who portrayed a poet inspiring awe. Ultimately, what makes “Bright Star” a classic is its appeal. Unlike most movies about poets, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about illness which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of a poet that readers celebrate, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made great movies which audiences appreciate.
6. The Remains of the Day
When it comes to the greatest period books ever written that are beloved today, it’s worth discussing The Remains of the Day. Since its publication in 1989, Kazuo Ishiguro’s book has become a literary classic. In 1993, James Ivory honoured the books about butlers cherishing every day in his film “The Remains of the Day”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Remains of the Day” stand out is its depiction of social class. Ivory uses captivating montages capturing hardships that an English butler with social inequality is facing. Assisted by Anthony Hopkins who is extraordinary in the lead role, Ivory honoured a beloved book about social class. A brilliant adaptation of a book about butlers recalling the remains of the day, it’s a bold reminder of a commemorated genre making great movies that deserve to be celebrated today.
7. The Personal History of David Copperfield
Few authors in English literature that wrote poetry are as beloved as Charles Dickens. During the 1800’s, Dickens was a legendary poet that penned timeless stories. In 2019, Armando Iannucci honoured the legendary poet in his movie “The Personal History of David Copperfield”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Personal History of David Copperfield” stand out is its satire. Iannucci effectively uses satire to honour a legendary poet that created stories readers admire. Assisted by Dev Patel who is phenomenal in the lead role, Iannucci honoured Charles Dickens’ legendary legacy. A spectacular tribute towards a legendary English author that penned timeless literature, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about inspiring poets that audiences treasure.
8. Phantom Thread
Paul Thomas Anderson is a great filmmaker that has made strong period pieces earning appreciation. With their captivating acting, engaging storytelling and strong themes, Anderson’s movies have earned a huge following. In 2017, Anderson showcased his talents to thread a period piece in his movie “Phantom Thread”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Phantom Thread” stand out is its depiction of fashion-designers. Anderson uses captivating costumes capturing the obstacles that a fashion-designer manufacturing clothes is experiencing. Accompanied by Daniel-Day Lewis who is amazing in the lead role, Anderson created a commemorated fashion drama. As precious as clothes Reynolds seeks to design, it’s a dazzling reminder of a commemorated genre producing divine movies that have never lost abilities to shine.
9. Darkest Hour
Winston Churchill is a commemorated prime minister that guided Britain. During WWII, Churchill became a prime minister that citizens of Britain would value. In 2017, Joe Wright honoured the iconic political leader facing his darkest hour in his movie “Darkest Hour”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Darkest Hour” stand out is its makeup. Wright uses captivating makeup to recreate a president that guided his country in ways that are inspiring. Assisted by Gary Oldman who is extraordinary in the lead role, Wright honoured Winston Churchill’s legacy. Nearly 90 years after Winston Churchill became a prime minister changing history forever, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable films about the lives of larger-than-life historical figures which audiences treasure.
10. The Dig
The Sutton Hoo is a legendary artifact in archaeological history that has built a lasting legacy. Founded in 1939 England, the Sutton Hoo has become one of the world’s greatest treasures. In 2021, Simon Stone honoured the artifact that teams sought to dig in his film “The Dig”. Stone used captivating production-design to capture archaeologists digging up a precious artifact that’s divine. Assisted by Carey Mulligan who is extraordinary in the lead role, Stone honoured the Sutton Hoo’s legacy. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. Historical inaccuracy has tarnished the film’s legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As precious as the treasure of Sutton Hoo, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made iconic movies which I will forever value for inspiring me to make my film criticism dreams come true.
The Film Buff 