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12 Period Films to Watch
Clothing and historical costumes represent an important part of our history that has evolved era after era. Nothing like TV series and period films gives us a visual representation of the changes in fashion over the centuries, also through the perspective and knowledge of the time in which they were filmed.
At the most unexpected moments of my day, TV series and films have always kept me company and made me dream. That’s why, in the Secret Times newsletter, I created this column where, once a month, I talk about one of my favorite period films. For those who weren’t yet subscribed to the newsletter, or for those who missed some, here is a collection of the first 12 period films and TV series.
Belle
Inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle. The film is about a little black girl, the daughter of an African slave girl and a British naval officer. The child is raised by a wealthy great-uncle and his wife, and although racism prevents Belle from enjoying the full benefits of this environment, her love for an idealistic young man causes a change that could affect future generations.
Historical Period: 1700s
Costumes: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ☆
Little Women (1994)
The movie is about a writer and her sisters raised by a resolute mother during the American Civil War.
The little women of the March household, Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy, share the challenges of growing up, family tragedies, and aspirations in 18th-century America as they eagerly await the return of their father who left for war.
Historical Period: 1860
Costumes: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ☆ ☆
Downton Abbey
The whole of Downton Abbey is in turmoil over the imminent visit by the British Royal Family. The Crawley family makes preparations but some ill-feelings arise amongst the servants.
The costumes take us back to the Roaring Twenties thanks to their accuracy. A real must for fans of costumes in films. Catch up with the TV series first if you haven’t seen it.
Historical Period: 1927
Costumes: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Mistress of her fate
Set in Venice, it tells the story of Veronica Franco, a real-life poet and courtesan.
The story is about a poor girl who takes the only possible route to marry her beloved nobleman and becomes one of the most influential figures in the society of the time. The incredible costumes by Oscar winner Gabriela Pescucci, with their brocades, pearls and velvets catapult us back to Renaissance Italy.
Historical Period: 1583
Costumes: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ☆
W.E. Edward and Wallis
Manhattan, year 1998. Manhattan, the year 1998. Young Wally Winthrop, trapped in a publicly enviable but privately humiliating marriage, frequents the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s memorabilia display at Sotheby’s on a daily basis and becomes obsessed with the story of King Edward, who, in the 1930s, while the leader of the British Empire, abdicated for the love of Wallis Simpson. A journey to discover two distant but close women, accompanied by the fantastic costumes of the 1940s and 1950s.
Historical Period: 1998
Costumes: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
A plunge into the colorful outfits of the 1960s with Renée Zellweger in “Down with Love”.
It’s 1962 in New York City. Writer Barbara Novak tops the charts with her bestseller Down With Love, in which she calls on women to prioritize their careers at the expense of love. Heartthrob journalist Catcher Block, assigned to interview her, decides to change her mind by any means necessary.
Historical Period: 1962
Costumes: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ☆
The Crown
This is a historical drama television series that follows the reign of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. It begins with the marriage of the Queen and Prince Philip in 1947, tracing the highlights of her reign until the wedding of Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles.
The series has received positive reviews for its high quality production, the
performances of the main actors, and most of all the incredibly accurate and faithful costumes.
Historical Period: 1950 – 1995
Costumes: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The Duchess
This film is based on the story of the Duchess of Devonshire.
The film was nominated at the Oscars for best costume and best film set design and then went on to win the first category award.
The film is about Georgiana Cavendish who marries the powerful and older Duke of Devonshire. The Duchess soon realizes that her relationship with her husband is doomed.
Feeling rejected and despised by the Duke of Devonshire, she turns her attention to other interests. Fashion and politics eventually become her main pursuits. The Duchess of Devonshire later goes on to become an icon in her era.
Historical Period: 1774
Costumes: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Sense and Sensibility
Based on the novel by Jane Austen, the movie is set in late 18th-century England and depicts the downfall of a widow and her three daughters, Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret, after the division of their inheritance. The son, from another relationship, inherits everything and does not keep his promise to his father to help them.
The film won the 1996 Academy Award for best non-original Screenplay.
Historical Period: 1792 – 1797
Costumes: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ☆
The Notebook
In this sunny, hot month, I couldn’t resist watching one of the movies that reminds me of summer: The Notebook.
Allie has Alzheimer’s and lives in a nursing home. Every day, Duke, an elderly man, reads the same book to her. It is a diary of a love story set in South Carolina in the 1940s.
Historical Period: 1940
Costumes: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ☆
Miss Potter
Beatrix is a young English maiden belonging to a good family, who would like to see her married. For this reason, her mother tries to introduce her to every young man from a good family, but which she rejects. Beatrix is instead focused on suc what she wishes to become: a children’s book writer. Her first work will be an incredible success, but perhaps the credit is not exclusively due to the young woman, but also to those who decided to work with her.
Historical Period: 1900
Costumes: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ☆
Costume films #12
Jane Eyre
A film with a distinctly autumnal atmosphere set around 1840. The young orphan Jane Eyre, just out of Lowood School, finds work as a governess at the estate of the brooding Rochester, whom she falls in love with. Based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë, it is without a doubt one of my favorite books.
Historical Period: 1840
Costumes: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
These are the first twelve period films we talked about. If you don’t want to miss the next ones, subscribe to the newsletter.
Do you have a favorite period film? I’d be very happy if you’d like to share it with me. Just leave a comment on this article.
