The 100 Best Periods & Historicals before 1901

List creator: ziondub Created on: February 29, 2004 - 3:12 PM PST Description: The best of the best historicals that take place before the 1900s. Wishlist: Tous Les Matins du Monde and the Frisco Kid.

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	movie title	related list	average rating	MPAA rating	watch	rent	buy
	Vatel (2000)
An often overlooked film starring Depardieu and Uma Thurma in Roland Joffe's exquisite rendering of a visit from Louis XIV in late seventeenth century France. Every frame is filled with color and texture and is a pleasure to the eye.
	The Ten Commandments (Disc 1 of 2) (1956)
This is a classic starring Charleton Heston although Yul Brynner steals the show.
	Spartacus (Criterion Collection) (1960)
Kurt Douglas plays Spartacus, the rebel leader who unsuccesfuly staged a revolt in ancient Rome.
	Elizabeth (1998)
Shekar Kapur really did a marvelous job here about the period in Queen Elizabeth's reign that was before she became "wed" to England.
	Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Ever wondered what it would be like to see how a play in Shakespeare's time was put together?
	Orlando (1992)
This film is bizarre and puzzling but is nonetheless stunning in scope in its own right.
	Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)
Depardieu is excellent as the nasaly-enhanced warrior-poet.
	Jefferson in Paris (1995)
I put this in here because I like Nick Nolte and Merchant-Ivory films.
	Henry V (Criterion Collection) (1944)
Compare the sets and costumes of this to Branagh's version and you'll see they don't even compare.
	Ran (1985)
Kurosawa's epic masterpeice in color!
	Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto (Criterion Collection) (1955)			Not Rated
About the famous samurai dueler who wrote the Book of Five Rings. Mushasi is played by Mifune.
	Samurai II: Duel at Ichijoji Temple (Criterion Collection) (1955)			Not Rated
	Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island (Criterion Collection) (1956)			Not Rated
This is my favorite of the trilogy. The final showdown on the Island is not to be missed.
	Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Nice wire-work and a real story in this anceint Chinese epic starring Chow Yun Fat.
	The Madness of King George (1994)
An interesting vignette into the life of King George III, ruler of Britain during our revolution.
	Love and Death (1975)
One of Woody Allen's best films set in Russia during the Napoleonic wars.
	A Man for All Seasons (1966)
Excellent acting and dialogue into the strory of the rift that develops between Thomas Moore, author of Utopia, and his friend, Henry VIII, king of England.
	Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
One of the best and most realistic sailing warship films ever made.
	Caligula (1979)
McDowell and hedonism in ancient Rome. Some might think this is porn.
	Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
Despite Costner's mediocre acting, marvelous performance by Rickman and Morgan Freeman.
	Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
If the Disney ride with the same name has a special place in your heart, you might want to check this out for fun.
	The Count of Monte Cristo (Disc 1 of 2) (1998)			Not Rated
The classical tale about revenge starring Depardieu. Warning: as this film is made for tv, it has such elements.
	Braveheart (1995)
Mel Gibson surprised everyone with this realistic yet artistic depiction of Scotland's early struggle for independence from England.
	Rob Roy (1995)
In contrast to Braveheart Scottish-Anglo relations are explored some six hundred years later with some of the best sword-play on film.
	Legend of Suriyothai (2002)
This epic based on a real Thai legend about a Thai princess who must make many sacrifices for her country is the most expensive Thai movie to date.
	Amistad (1997)
One of Spielberg's most overlooked films about the American slave trade.
	Amadeus (1984)
Although not realistic in its portrayal of the relationship between Mozart and Salieri, its a nonethless fun romp into Mozart's world.
	Immortal Beloved (1994)
Like Amadeus, IB strays from historical truth but is a nonethless fun peek into Beethoven's life with excellent acting by Gary Oldman.
	Once Upon a Time in China and America (1997)
The sixth of the series starring Jet Li as he has crazy adventures in the Wild West of America.
	The Secret Garden (1993)
An excellent adaptation of the book about life and the possibilty for transformation.
	Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996)
An interesting, if incomplete, voyage into the Ancient India world of sexual pleasure.
	Glory (1989)
An all-star cast, excellent acting and cinematography make this one of the best Civil War movies ever made.
	Othello (1995)
A good adaptation of Shakespeare's classic with solid acting from Lawrence Fishburn and Kenneth Branagh.
	Artemisia (1997)
A short film about the tormented female artist who challenged the social conventions of her time.
	The Seventh Seal (Criterion Special Edition) (1957)
Bergman's masterpiece is set in Medieval Sweden and explores Bergman's religious ponderings as wells as man's relationship to death.
	The King and I (1956)
Excellent sets, but especially Yul Brynner's performance manifest in this classic about an English tutor who travels to Thailand to teach the King's kids.
	Angels & Insects (1995)
The insect world serves as a metaphor for human relations in this film set in 1860s England.
	Andrei Rublev (Criterion Collection) (1966)
This epic is aboout the famous Russian icon painter during the 15th century.
	Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972)			Not Rated
Klaus Kinski's superb performance in this film about a Spanish conquistador's journey into madness through greed.
	Monty Python's Life of Brian (Criterion Collection) (1979)
This is John Cleese's favorite Monty Python movie set during Jesus' time.
	Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Collector's Edition) (1974)
More laughs from Monty Python via the story of King Arthur and the Grail.
	Excalibur (1981)
One of the best King Arthur films made. This highly stylized versions has cameos from several prominent actors before they made it big.
	Lagaan (2001)			Not Rated
Can the Indians beat the British at their own game, cricket? You bet they can when taxes depend on it.
	Hero (2002)
One of the best wire-action films ever made. Directed ny Zhang Zimou and starrring Jet Li, Hero is set during the consolidation of the Qin.
	Iron Monkey (1993)
This prequel to the Once Upon a Time in China series got some help from Quentin Tarantino in the production.
	Longitude (Disc 1 of 2) (2000)
An excellent period piece about a clockmaker's quest to produce an accurate clock so sailing ships can navigate better is set in the 18th century.
	Blazing Saddles (1974)
A black Sherrif in the Wild West with a little help from Mel Brooks.
	Far and Away (1992)
Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise are Irish immigrants staking their claim in late 19th century America.
	The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1989)
A surreal and romantic romp across the globe during the "Age of Reason".
	Shanghai Knights (2003)
Owen Wilson adds comic relief and the fight sequences are some of the longest in Chan's non-Chinese films.
	Zulu (1964)			Not Rated
Michael Caine gives a solid performance here.
	Camille Claudel (1988)
A look into the tortured life of Camille Claudel and her relationship to Rodin.
	20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Disc 1 of 2) (1954)
You just have to love this one if you love the Jules Verne classic starring Kirk Douglas.
	The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
This place and period is not often filmed. Daniel Day-Lewis does a good job as usual.
	Gladiator (2000)
If you care little for historical accuracy and just want some eye-candy for a couple of hours, this film is for you.
	Dances with Wolves (1990)
One of the few Costner films worth watching about a Civil War era soldier who befriends the Sioux and becomes one of the tribe.
	Revenge (Zemsta) (2003)
How often do you get to see a period film set in 17th century Poland starring Roman Polanski?
	Elvira Madigan (1967)
An interesting look into the possibility of true love via the relationship between a tightrope walker and a deserting soldier.
	Ridicule (1996)
Excellent period set just before the French Revolution in Versailles about thre power of wit.
	Cobra Verde (1988)			Not Rated
Another Kinski/Herzog masterpiece.
	Farinelli (1994)
Not the most enlightening of scripts, it neverless entertains
	Breaker Morant (1980)
Excellent film set during the Boer Wars in South Africa which makes you question civil authority.
	The Emperor and the Assassin (1999)
Stylzed rendering of China's first emperor driven to hybris.
	Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht (1979)
Not the best or most epic of Herzog/Kinsky films, but a good watch nonetheless. Herzog shot two versions; English and a German one, this is the German version
	Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)			Not Rated
Excellent adaptation of the most famous mutiny story in history.
	Scaramouche (1952)			Not Rated
50s Hollywood at its best with some great fencing sequences and excellent sets.
	The Return of Martin Guerre (1982)
The movie that Jack Sommersby was based with Depardieu in medieval France.
	Ivan the Terrible I (Criterion Collection) (Disc 1 of 2) (1944)
Sergei Eisentein's masterpeice about the despotic Russian leader who changed the course of Russian history.
	Mansfield Park (1998)
A woman who struggles to overcome class in 19th century England.
	The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1975)			Not Rated
More Werner Herzog. This flic depicts a human being devoid of human contact adjusting to social life.
	The Wild Child (1970)
Like The Engima of K. Hauser, this film is about a "boy raised by wolves" struggling to adjust to human society.
	Alexander Nevsky (Criterion Collection) (1938)
Another Segei Eisentstein masterpeice about a Russian leader who changed the course of Russian history.
	Heart of Glass (1976)			Not Rated
Another Werner Herzog film about a German village which loses its signature industry in producing red glass and eventually falls into madness.
	The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
Classic from the thirties in color!
	The Lady and the Duke (2001)
Decent French period peice set during the French Revolution.
	Macbeth (1971)
Great Polanksi adpatation of the Shakepearean classic.
	Dangerous Beauty (1998)
Excellent period piece about courtesans in Rennaissance Venice.
	Queen Margot (1994)
Excellent French period about the problems created by religion or in the name of religion.
	On Guard (1997)
Good fencing period from France.
	Children of Paradise (Criterion Collection) (Disc 1 of 2) (1945)
Acclaimed as one of the best French films of all time about love in the early nineteenth century.
	The Lion in Winter (1968)
Peter O'Toole gives one of his best performances here.
	Anna and the King (1999)
Good remake of the King and I that is less offensive to Thais as it portrays the King in more realistic ie less stupid terms.
	The Last Temptation of Christ (Criterion Collection) (1988)
Controversial film about Christ's life.
	The Elephant Man (1980)
Excellent movie set in late vicorian England about a hideously deformed "freak" who wins the sympathy of a doctor (Anthony Hopkins)
	The Crimson Pirate (1952)			Not Rated
Fun pirate movie.
	The Duellists (1977)
Little known film with Harvey Keitel about the institution of duelling in 19th century Europe.
	The Bostonians (1984)
Another Merchant-Ivory film about the upper classes.
	Moll Flanders (1996)
Fun 18th century period about a woman struggling to move up in the world with a little help from Morgan Freeman.
	Romeo and Juliet (1968)
Best film adaptation of the classic tale.
	Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1973)
Son of a wealthy merchant goes bonkers and embraces Jesus to eventually go on to teach the pope a lesson on faith.
	Barry Lyndon (1975)
One of Kubrick's best and one of my favorite 18th century period peices.
	Kristin Lavransdatter (1995)
A classic of Swedish folk literature.
	McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971)
Altman's anti-western masterpeice portays life as it really is.
	Chi-hwa-seon (2002)
You think the tortured artist is unigue to wester artists? Well they have them in Korea as well.
	Black Robe (1991)
Unlike Dances with Wolves, this film doesn't romanticize native American culture and posits the impossibilty of Western missionaries preaching their gospel.
	Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984)
Come on, this is quite well done with Ian Holm and Christopher Lambert.
	Zatoichi (XXVI) (1989)			Not Rated
Excellent samurai flic about a blind wanderer who is untouchable and massacres scores of thugs in the final sequences of the film.
	The Hired Hand (1971)
One of the best westerns I've seen with innovative cinematography and like McCabe and Mrs. Miller depicts life in the way that it really is.
	The Last Valley (1971)
Michael Caine is a soldier during the Wars of Religion and finds a beautiful valley and decides to settle down for a while as the locals become restless.
	The Name of the Rose (1986)
Based on the Umberto Eco novel, Sean connery plays a monk investigating a series of bizarre murders in the middle ages.
	Restoration (1994)
Fun 17th century period pieces with an all-star cast.
	Sense and Sensibility (1995)
18th century period piece set in England about class and other impediments to lovers' getting what they want.
	The Reckoning (2004)
Troupe of actors in late 14th century England? uncover a plot to frame an innocent woman of murder.
	Gangs of New York (pt.1) (Disc 1 of 2) (2002)
I don't understand why GC viewers give this such a low rating. Solid acting, excellent costumes and set design make for an excellent period piece of a time, place and economic condition that is vastly underrepresented in American history books.
	The Last King (2004)