The Best Period Piece Dramas to Watch

Period piece drama movies are like wondrous time machines that allow us to stroll through the cobblestone streets of bygone eras, sparing us the trouble of donning cumbersome corsets or facing persecution for just existing. Armed with a humble bucket of popcorn and a cinematic reverie, we embark on a journey to an era when gentlemen gracefully tipped their hats, ladies’ women’s gowns seemed to require their own postal codes, and each gaze concealed a treasure trove of untold stories. 

The allure lies in the juxtaposition: the stringent societal norms against the wild, untamed passions. And let’s not forget the sheer craft: the attention to historical details, the sumptuous costume designs, and dialogues that sound like poetry poured into the mold of conversation. So, as we sip our modern-day lattes, here are some of the best period piece dramas out there to go down with the drink. 

Marie Antoinette (2006)

Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette isn’t your average stodgy period drama; it’s a contemporary, pastel-hued look at the reign of France’s most infamous monarch. While primarily based on Antonia Fraser’s biography, the picture is more of a sumptuous romp set to a killer soundtrack than a history lesson. Kirsten Dunst plays Marie with a delicate balance of naivety and decadence, making her both relatable and frustratingly frivolous. 

The set design? Opulent. The costumes? A dream. And let’s remember the shoes (Manolo Blahnik, anyone?) Sure, historical purists might nitpick over the accuracy of certain events or the inclusion of a post-punk soundtrack, but Coppola isn’t aiming for a documentary-style portrayal. Instead, she captures the essence of a young girl trapped in her time’s political and societal expectations, using modern cues to make it all the more relatable. 

Emma (2020)

When Jane Austen penned her “handsome, clever, and rich” heroine, she probably didn’t envision her prancing in the aesthetically vibrant world director Autumn de Wilde crafted. Emma‘s 2020 adaptation, with its candy-colored palette and exquisite Regency-era dresses, is a visual symphony for the eyes. Anya Taylor-Joy’s portrayal of Emma Woodhouse is just the right blend of wit and wilfulness; she’s the girl you’d love to spill tea with. 

Johnny Flynn’s Mr. Knightley exudes charm, and their on-screen chemistry sizzles in the most sophisticated manner. The dialogue is as razor-sharp as Emma’s sense of matchmaking, and the film doesn’t shy away from diving deeper into Austen’s subtle critiques of class and gender dynamics. 

Carol (2015)

Carol is an elegantly shot masterpiece directed by Todd Haynes that makes you want to dive into the 1950s but with a progressive lens. Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara are a pair-up as iconic as gin and tonic and just as intoxicating. Based on Patricia Highsmith’s novel The Price of Salt, the film deftly unwinds a story of forbidden love against the repressive social constraints of the time. 

With her regal air, Blanchett captures the essence of Carol—a woman trapped in a loveless marriage yet bursting with desire. Mara’s Therese, with those wide-eyed looks, exudes vulnerability with a side of youthful curiosity. Carol is an experience in understanding the universality of love and longing. In the pantheon of romance flicks, this one’s the posh aunt everyone whispers about.

Dreamgirls (2006)

Directed by Bill Condon, Dreamgirls was adapted from the Broadway musical, and boy, does it hit the high notes. The narrative waltzes through the tumultuous journey of the Dreamettes, with the ever-radiant Beyoncé leading the pack as Deena Jones. However, Jennifer Hudson’s Effie White truly steals the show. 

With pipes that could move mountains and a performance that still gives goosebumps, she belts out “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” and we believe every word. Eddie Murphy deserves a nod, shedding his comedic skin to deliver a poignant portrayal of a fading R&B star. 

The Age of Innocence (1993)

The Age of Innocence is a Scorsese film without the mob but dripping with just as much tension and corsets tighter than a mobster’s alibi. This visually stunning take on Edith Wharton’s classic novel delves into the seething love beneath the veneer of Gilded Age respectability. 

Enter Daniel Day-Lewis as Newland Archer, trapped in a societal cage, and Michelle Pfeiffer’s Countess Olenska, the woman who jingles the keys to potential escape. Winona Ryder gives an excellent performance as the ingenious and strategic May Welland. The costumes are a feast for the eyes, and if they had an Oscar for ‘Best Use of Opera Glasses,’ this film would snag it hands down.

The Favourite (2018)

The Favourite, directed by the delightfully unconventional Yorgos Lanthimos, is as much a delectable period drama as it is a shade-throwing masterclass. Set in the early 18th century, the English court has never looked so … scandalous. The triad of Emma Stone, Olivia Colman, and Rachel Weisz is more explosive than any Guy Fawkes’ plot. 

Colman’s Queen Anne, with her pet rabbits and fickle heart, exudes vulnerability and capriciousness in every scene. Weisz and Stone, as Lady Sarah and Abigail, respectively, engage in a battle of wits and cunning that would make Machiavelli blush. 

Belle (2013)

Belle, directed by Amma Asante, took the staid genre of period dramas and gave it a much-needed dash of diversity and depth. Drawing inspiration from the 1779 portrait of Dido Elizabeth Belle, it masterfully blends love, race, and social politics. 

Gugu Mbatha-Raw, with her poise and expertise, steps into the shoes of Belle, an aristocratic woman of mixed race, navigating the tricky waters of 18th-century British society. Belle’s journey from being a mere portrait adornment to an active participant in the groundbreaking Zong case shows that even in a time of rampant racial prejudice, one can push against societal confines. 

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Pride & Prejudice is the film where Mr. Darcy, played by the brooding Matthew Macfadyen, strides out of the morning mist and straight into our collective romantic fantasies. In this rendition, Joe Wright offers Jane Austen’s classic story a modern, dark update. 

It’s hard not to pine for a time of candlelit ballrooms and empire waist dresses in the misty English countryside accompanied by an intriguing piano accompaniment. Keira Knightley, as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen, exchange glances sharp enough to pierce through the thickest British fog as the film goes deeply into the seas of class, love, and cultural expectations. 

The Handmaiden (2016)

From the masterful mind of Park Chan-wook comes a tale as twisted as the winding backstreets of Japanese-occupied Korea. Adapted from Sarah Waters’ Fingersmith but with a sultry Eastern spin, The Handmaiden is a rich banquet of deception, romance, and unexpected story turns. 

Delicately layered like the intricate garments of its protagonists, it weaves a tale of a pickpocket-turned-maid and a mysterious heiress. Kim Tae-ri and Kim Min-hee create an on-screen chemistry you will always remember. 

The Color Purple (1985)

In Steven Spielberg’s rendition of The Color Purple, every scene is so impactful that you could never erase the award-winning picture from your memory. The film, adapted from Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, navigates the stormy seas of the American South, where tragedy, resiliency, and the power of sisterhood abound. 

Whoopi Goldberg’s debut as Celie is so powerful that I’d argue she didn’t just step into the part; she devoured it whole and then wore it like a badge of honor. With Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover adding layers of depth, the cast is a magnificent display of raw emotion.

(featured image: AP Photo/Fox Searchlight/David Appleby)