Not many genres attract audiences to the Cinema like the Regency Era. Since the 1990’s, stories of Regency England have made for engaging movies. Whether it’s mischievous matchmakers, lovers or orphaned authors, 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 favourite films about the Regency era that deserve to be celebrated.
1. Pride & Prejudice
Jane Austen is a legendary author that always earned my mother’s appreciation. I remember bonding with a mother that was once a huge fan of the bold author in English literature. A big fan of Jane Austen, she loved to discuss a legendary author earning her appreciation. She was always drawn towards sense and sensibility of an author that affected her identity. A common characteristic of Jane Austen’s stories is that they are often set during the iconic Regency era. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured an iconic era in which women were often treated with prejudice as powerfully as “Pride & Prejudice”. Ever since its release in 2005, Joe Wright’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about the Regency era. With the greatest film of his career, Wright did an extraordinary job of adapting Jane Austen’s most beloved literary classic about the lives of sisters in Victorian England. Wright has often had an aptitude for adapting legendary literature on the big-screen, 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 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 film about the Regency era 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 groundbreaking message about social class which would resonate with everyone. Centuries after the publication of a classic book about prejudiced women developing romantic bonds facing destruction, it’s a captivating reminder of a bold genre making great movies about an iconic era in British history that definitely deserve immense appreciation.
2. The Personal History of David Copperfield
Charles Dickens is a legendary author whose literature impressed my grandfather. I remember a grandfather that adored the author’s literature. He always had great expectations from an author he grew up to appreciate. The Regency era has always played a crucial role serving as the backdrop for Dickens’ timeless stories. In 2019, Armando Iannucci honoured the author whose stories have appealed in his movie “The Personal History of David Copperfield”. Iannucci used captivating montages capturing hardships that an orphan in Victorian England is facing. For instance, the scene in which David Copperfield has a tense argument with Uriah causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Dev Patel, who portrayed an orphan that’s successful. Ultimately, what makes “The Personal History of David Copperfield” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Charles Dickens adaptations, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Charles Dickens’ literature to appreciate it. As strong as David Copperfield’s desire to become an author, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made movies audiences commonly treasure.
3. Little Women
Writing is a passion that I’ve always enjoyed pursuing. As far as I can remember, I have always wanted to become a famous writer. At an early age, I developed a lifelong passion for writing words on the page. As someone that has always had a lifelong writing passion, I adored “Little Women”. Released in 2019, Greta Gerwig’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about Regency era women. Gerwig effectively used emotional monologues to capture a female writer impacted by rejection causing depression. For instance, the scene in which Jo has a nervous breakdown after her book is burned by Amy destroying her writing causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Saoirse Ronan, who embodies a female writer facing rejection. Ultimately, what makes “Little Women” a classic is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the legendary book to appreciate it. The film delivers a meaningful message about identity which would resonate with everyone. As precious as stories Jo March seeks to publish, it’s a captivating reminder about a genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about the Victorian era time period in Britain which audiences cherish.
4. Emma
Matchmaking is an activity that my friend always found entertaining. At an early age, I fell in love with a clever girl that would love to make matches for marriage. A girl with enduring appeal, she would often feel strongly about matchmaking which she considered a lucrative business deal. As someone treasuring memories of a matchmaker with charisma, I adored “Emma”. Released in 2020, Autumn de Wilde’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved book about matchmakers. Wilde used captivating montages capturing the hardships that a woman making matches during the Regency era is experiencing. For instance, the scene in which Emma makes a match for Harriet causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Anya Taylor-Joy, who embodies a commemorated matchmaker seeking success in the Regency era. Ultimately, what makes “Emma” a timeless classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about marriage which would resonate with everyone. As precious as marriages arranged by Emma, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured great movies about the Regency era that attract audiences towards Cinema.
5. Bright Star
Poetry is an art form that my grandfather always loved dearly. I remember my grandfather that sought to become a famous Pakistani author. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that had a talent for writing words on the page. He would always love to publish timeless stories that Pakistani audiences would cherish. As someone treasuring fond memories of a grandfather that sought to become a bright writing star, I adored “Bright Star”. Released in 2009, Jane Campion’s movie captured the life of a legendary poet in Regency England. 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 an incredible performance by Ben Whishaw, who portrayed a poet inspiring awe. Ultimately, what makes “Bright Star” a timeless classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about poets, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about the writing process which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of a poet that readers celebrate, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has made unforgettable movies about Regency audiences appreciate.
6. Becoming Jane
Jane Austen is a legendary author with charisma that wrote stories during the Regency era. An awe-inspiring author, Austen became a legendary figure in English literature. In 2007, Julian Jarrold honoured the legendary author whose stories entertain in his movie “Becoming Jane”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Becoming Jane” stand out is its depiction of Jane Austen’s life. Jarrold uses captivating voice-over narration capturing the life of an author in the Regency era that achieved immense recognition. Assisted by Anne Hathaway who is exceptional in the lead role, Jarrold honoured an author that is beloved today. A beautiful biopic about an author that’s iconic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about Victorian England which have captivated public.
7. The Favourite
Lesbian love stories are rarely depicted in movies. Hollywood has long held a tradition of ignoring stories about queer women. A provocative subject matter, lesbian love stories rarely attract audiences to the theatre. In an industry ignoring stories of lesbian women, it’s worth praising “The Favourite”. Released in 2018, Yorgos Lanthimos’ movie depicted lesbian romance. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Favourite” stand out is depiction of lesbians. Lanthimos uses captivating voice-over narration capturing struggles that lesbians during the Regency era are facing. Assisted by Olivia Colman who is amazing in the lead role, Lanthimos created a compelling Regency drama. A fantastic portrait of lesbian love affairs endured by a queen, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making great movies which demand to be seen.
8. Les Miserables
It isn’t easy to adapt a beloved Broadway musical on the big-screen today. What works in stage musicals doesn’t always work in films. In order to make an adaptation, filmmakers must pay attention to the storytelling, music and characters of the show. However, in 2012 Tom Hooper pulled it off successfully in his movie “Les Miserables”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Les Miserables” stand out is its live-singing. Hooper uses captivating live-singing to capture tensions that soldiers during the Regency era are facing. Assisted by Hugh Jackman who is extraordinary in the lead role, Hooper honoured a legendary Broadway musical. A breathtaking adaptation of a beloved Broadway play, it’s a brilliant reminder about a commemorated genre that has manufactured memorable movies about an era which are worth celebrating today.
9. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Naval captains that faced a dilemma on seas were common in the Regency era. The era was a time period when naval commanders often faced tension embarking on a dangerous mission. The struggles faced by naval commanders in the far side of the world are beautifully depicted in the movie “Master and Commander: the Far Side of the World”. Released in 2003, Peter Weir’s movie offered a powerful portrait of naval warfare. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Master and Commander” stand out is its depiction of naval captains. Weir uses captivating montages capturing hardships that naval commanders are facing. Assisted by Russell Crowe who is amazing in the lead role, Weir created a compelling naval adventure. As strong as Jack Aubrey’s desire to be a naval commander, it’s a strong reminder of a genre audiences treasure.
10. Poor Things
Few movies have contributed towards greater understandings of the Regency era like “Poor Things”. Released in 2023, Yorgos Lanthimos’ movie captured women in Regency era England seeking sexual identity. Lanthimos used montages capturing hardships a woman treated poorly in society in facing. Assisted by Emma Stone who is excellent in the lead role, Lanthimos created a captivating literature adaptation. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of women living in Regency England has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As precious as dresses worn by Bella, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has made unforgettable movies about the Regency era which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of modern Cinema.
The Film Buff 