It’s Thursday and I’m back with a new Thursday Movie Picks feature post. This series is hosted by Wandering through the Shelves and offers you a weekly prompt to post some movie recommendations/talking points according to the theme. Usually, you are supposed to post about 3-5 examples, which I find a very manageable amount.
This week is about period dramas! According to online definitions, a period drama is any television or film production set during a particular historic period that is characterized by clearly recognizable costumes, set design and props. What you consider to be a specific historic period, is up for interpretation though, but I think I’d say a minimum of about 100 years? But that’s just my thoughts! Let’s dive into my examples!
Testament of Youth
Testament of Youth is a film based on the memoirs and diaries of Vera Brittain, a nurse, writer, feminist and pacifist, who made it her mission to fight for the lives lost during World War I and for them to not be forgotten. The movie was absolutely heartbreaking to watch and while I could not get through her entire memoir, I understand why it was chosen to be adapted.
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
The 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice was my first introduction to Jane Austen and I have loved watching and reading her material ever since. I think I’ve seen almost all the different adaptations of her work, except for the latest version of Emma, which I still plan to watch as soon as possible. Still, P&P has a special place in my heart.
The King
I know that The King is a Netflix movie, but I’m glad I got to see it in a theater. The visuals are really quite stunning, even if I did not love all aspects of the story and the characters. It will also forever be hilarious how Robert Pattinson butchered the French accent.
Summer in February
Summer in February is based on a real artist community from the UK. I honestly don’t know if I remember the movie or the book on this one, because I definitely read it first. It’s not the best movie out there, but I loved the cast and the deep dive into artists minds. That’s just something I always enjoy quite a lot.
Life and Other Disasters 
Pride and Prejudice (2005) is my most watched movie. I just adore it!
I’ll have to give Summer in February a try. I really like Dan Stevens!
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100% on Pride and Prejudice. I adored that movie so much. And honestly the only thing I’ve heard about The King was Pattinson’s french accent!! It may be worth watching just for that.
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Ahahaha everyone dissed Pattinson so hard for that one. It wasn’t a great choice.
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I love love love Pride and Prejudice, but not the Knightly version. The 1995 version is the best! And very close to the novel.
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Well, I’m afraid we’re going to have to agree to disagree on that matter haha
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Agreed. 😉
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Of these my favorite by far is Pride & Prejudice. Keira and Matthew Macfayden have such a great chemistry and with no offense to Colin Firth meant I think Macfayden is the best Darcy out there.
I liked Summer in February but found Testament of Youth a slog to wade through. I haven’t seen The King.
I went with a theme within the theme using the Revolutionary War as the backdrop for each film.
Drums Along the Mohawk (1939)- Attempting to forge a life and livelihood out of the central New York wilderness as the nation is born Lana and Gil Martin (Claudette Colbert & Henry Fonda) are besieged by Tory, Indian and British forces but they persevere. A depiction of the dangerous rigors faced by settlers on the frontier during the Revolutionary War.
The Scarlet Coat (1955)-Benedict Arnold (Robert Douglas), Commander of the Continental Army at West Point conspires with Redcoat Major John Andre (Michael Wilding) to surrender defense of the fort to the British for a large sum of cash as the Revolutionary War rages. Sensing trouble American Major John Boulton (Cornel Wilde) undertakes a counter-intelligence operation to stop the deal from going through.
1776 (1972)-The events and personages involved in the lead up to and signing of The Declaration of Independence all set to music. Though there is some artistic license taken this adaptation of the Broadway hit, which is scheduled for a revival later this year, captures the essence of the story.
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You always mention such interesting films and I’ve yet to come across one I’ve actually watched. I think if it’s anything released before the 80s, I highly doubt I’ve seen it (not counting the occasional exception and movies from my own country)
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Thanks for the compliment. I like to try and find more obscure films to suggest, I’ve seen so many and it’s a way to use some of my familiarity and perhaps shine some light on them. I think it shows how many good films (and plenty of not so good ones too) are out there to explore!
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Ah I love period dramas and I’ve been meaning to watch the king for ages (since you recommended it the first time!)
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I hope you’ll enjoy it! My memory is a bit fuzzy to be honest.
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I’ve seen all except the first movie.
I like both Pride and Prejudice and The King. I think the The King probably gets overlooked a lot but I like it. But I didn’t like Pattinson in it at all…he was just so odd and especially with that accent.
I found Summer in February boring.
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I just finished reading P&P and I’m so curious to finally check out the movie for the first time 😀
Also, The King was really cool, even though I still don’t know what the heck that accent was supposed to be. 😅
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Oooh, I hope it will live up to the hype!!
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