Period dramas

[Dicky76]

Many years ago me and the missus went to watch The Age of Innocence (before you all laugh she watched loads of "my films" so I agreed to go with her!) I can't really comment on the film as I missed most of it............fell asleep for about an hour! Period dramas suck.

[Jonesy]

No they don't. You just have to be selective. Condemning every period drama ever made because you don't like one is narrow minded. Young Victoria, for instance, as one of the most recently released, is a superb film. Bettany and Blunt's performances alone are worth the price of a ticket.

[MrSilly]

The only problem I have with Period Dramas are that they are pretty much nailed on for Best Costume Design awards. When The Young Victoria was released, without missing a beat I proclaimed as the winner of the next Oscar for BCD. I was right.

Like hell did The Duchess have better costume design that The Dark Knight or Hellboy 2, the only parts of those films I thought were truly stellar. I'm just tired of seeing the same thing, year in, year out. It's getting to the point where I'm certain they're recycling costumes from film to film.

[jaykays hat]

Originally Posted by MrSilly

The only problem I have with Period Dramas are that they are pretty much nailed on for Best Costume Design awards. When The Young Victoria was released, without missing a beat I proclaimed as the winner of the next Oscar for BCD. I was right.

Like hell did The Duchess have better costume design that The Dark Knight or Hellboy 2, the only parts of those films I thought were truly stellar. I'm just tired of seeing the same thing, year in, year out. It's getting to the point where I'm certain they're recycling costumes from film to film.

You've just offended loads of gay men that tirelessly sit there for hours on end sewing sequins and pleats into these wonderful victorian dresses while throwing *****y looks at each other

[Jonesy]

The costume element aside (because that ultimately has nothing to do with liking or disliking period dramas), Age of Innocence is actually a very good film. Let's be honest, Scorsese (unless we're talking about the appalling Gangs of New York) doesn't make bad films, and period drama or not, his films are always worth watching. To dismiss all period dramas with an immature 'Period dramas suck' completely ignores all the many excellent period dramas out there - Gone with the Wind being one of the very best.

[Dicky76]

Originally Posted by Jonesy

No they don't. You just have to be selective. Condemning every period drama ever made because you don't like one is narrow minded. Young Victoria, for instance, as one of the most recently released, is a superb film. Bettany and Blunt's performances alone are worth the price of a ticket.

You may be right Jonesy, but I have struggled to find one I really like. Does Dangerous Liasons count as I thought that was ace?

[Jonesy]

It does, and it is. Great film.

[Kiba.]

Some of the best period dramas are foreign. One of the most powerful imo, is La Reine Margot (Queen Margot) which boasts a powerhouse ensemble cast and as it is about the Massacre of St. Bartholomew has plenty of action, fighting, bloodshed and some sex and plotting mixed in. It really captures the feel of the times. As a bonus, it's probably Isabelle Adjani's sexiest role. I recommend it, one of my favourite films.



I understand period dramas seem a tame choice in this superhero drenched climate, but they're not all wet vehicles for Keira Knightley to look pretty (sorry Welchy).

[morris]

Originally Posted by Dicky76

Period dramas suck.

It depends what you term a period drama. Arguably films like Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven are period dramas, and while neither is my favourite film of all time, they're both good films shot by a director with a sense of style, drama and vision. Nothing wrong with them.

Sweeping generalisation is sweeping and not to be taken seriously. Dismissing an entire genre of film just because you dozed off in one is dumb but you are only making yourself miss out, in the end.

[jaykays hat]

Originally Posted by morris

It depends what you term a period drama. Arguably films like Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven are period dramas, and while neither is my favourite film of all time, they're both good films shot by a director with a sense of style, drama and vision. Nothing wrong with them.

I love Gladiator, its one of my favourite films. I also like Kingdom of Heaven but thought they should have had a stronger lead than Orlando pretty boy Bloom.

I also really enjoyed Elizabeth 1 & 2. One of my clients is a costumer for the film and TV industry and I have seen some of the outfits for these period dramas and they are stunning, you can tell that so much work goes into them.