For the Love of Period Films: a tribute to 8 brilliant period films

Setting: Edwardian London, England, 1912
Direction: George Cukor
Art Direction: Sir Cecil Beaton (Academy Award win)
Costume Design: Sir Cecil Beaton (Academy Award win)

Sir Cecil Beaton rightfully won his Oscar for his designs worn by my bb Audrey Hepburn and the cast of My Fair Lady. The entire ensemble of costumes worn by Audrey are splendid and delicious examples of 19th century haute couture. The entire film, in terms of set and costume designs, brilliantly captures the different classes in 19th Century British society. My Fair Lady may not one of my top 3 Audrey Hepburn films but I've always loved it since it was my first ever Audrey film. The film still has its influence on fashion today--- Ralph Lauren's Spring '08 collection was no doubt inspired by the film (Blake Lively's Serena Van der Woodsen wears one of the dresses from the collection in the season one finale)








SEVEN.
THE DUCHESS (2008)

Charles Grey: Is it always like this?
Bess Foster: Well, as they say, the Duke of Devonshire must be the only man in England not in love with his wife.



Setting: 18th Century England
Direction: Saul Dibb
Art Direction: Karen Wakefield, Michael Carlin (Academy Award nomination)
Costume Design: Michael O' Connor (Academy Award win)

A truly well-deserved win. It is interesting to note that Georgina, Duchess of Devonshire was friends with Marie Antoinette, who will be appearing (as portrayed by Kirsten Dunst) later in this spam and they were both Queen of Fashion back in their day. I have to admit, I personally think that the costumes in the film may trump even Marie Antoinette, and Keira Knightley works the full skirt and corset to perfection. You can't blame her for wanting to take on more period films.







SIX.
THE YOUNG VICTORIA (2009)

Queen Victoria:I'm so sorry! I thought I was going to lose you!
Prince Albert: I don't think he was a very good shot.
Queen Victoria: Why did you do it? So stupid, why did you do it?
Prince Albert: I had two very good reasons. First, I am replaceable and you are not.
Queen Victoria: You are not replaceable to me!
Prince Albert: Second, you're the only wife I've got or ever will have. You are my whole existence, and I will love you until my very last breath.


Setting: Victorian England of course!
Direction: Jean-Mark Vallee
Art Direction: Paul Inglis
Costume Design: Sandy Powell (shoo-in nomination and win hello)

Every year (or every few years) there's always that one period film that takes my breath away (not counting war films like Inglourious Basterds and Glorious 39, I'm sure Glorious 39 will be brilliant) and this year it was hands down, The Young Victoria. I'm a sucker for period films obviously and I had to see this. Also for the romance between Albert and Victoria which let me tell you, is bloody brilliant. Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend's chemistry are off the charts in this and they are so sincere and committed in their roles. Moving back to the costumes and stylization, this film hit all the right marks. The dresses in this film were obviously wonderful but sometimes I got a little distracted by the scene-stealers that were the bonnets.








FIVE.
SLEEPY HOLLOW (1999)

Katrina Van Tassel: I have shed my tears for Brom... and yet my heart is not broken. Do you think me wicked?
Ichabod Crane: No... but perhaps there is a little bit of witch in you, Katrina.
Katrina Van Tassel: Why do you say that?
Ichabod Crane: Because you have bewitched me.

(lol cheese)



Setting: Turn of the century (1799) New York City
Direction: Tim Burton
Art Direction: Rick Heinrichs, Peter Young (Academy Award win)
Costume Design: Colleen Atwood (Academy Award nomination)

Sleepy Hollow is easily one of my favorite Burton films because it's classic Burton. Watching the film is like exploring his mind. And most importantly, it's such a brilliant period horror film. If you've read up about the production of this film, the style of the film was influenced by classic horror films by Hammer Productions (The Curse of Frankenstein, Christopher Lee's Dracula). The film does a fantastic job---- or Rick Heinricks for that matter, does a brilliant job in turning a town asleep into a town asleep with nightmares. Don't even get me started about the costumes--- Collen Atwood is a genius, plain and simple. Along with Sleepy Hollow, she's also crafted the costumes in Sweeney Todd, Big Fish, A Series of Unfortunate Events and My Chemical Romance's The Black Parade costumes, so you can probably say she's a genius with Gothic style (she won the academy award for Chicago and Memoirs of a Geisha though).

Johnny's well-cut black suit, Christina's many costumes--- particularly the 2 striped dresses at the end of the film (the blue one during the chase scene and the one in which she arrives in New York in), and the amazing black and white dress which Miranda Richardson wears when she appears ~back from the dead~ in. Oh gosh. It's no wonder why this is one of my favorite films of all-time.









FOUR.
THE AGE OF INNOCENCE (1993)

Ellen Olenska: I think we should look at reality, not dreams.
Newland Archer: I just want us to be together!
Ellen Olenska: I can't be your wife, Newland! Is it your idea that I should live with you as your mistress?
Newland Archer: I want... Somehow, I want to get away with you... and... and find a world where words like that don't exist!
Ellen Olenska: Oh, my dear - where is that country? Have you ever been there?


Setting: 1870s New York
Direction: Martin Scorsese
Art Direction: Speed Hopkins (Academy Award nomination)
Costume Design: Gabriella Pescucci (Academy Award win)

This film, set during the Gilded Age in the United States is masterfully directed by Martin Scorsese who successfully brings out the essence, style, and values of the gilded rich in early 20th century New York, where class, status and decorum were everything. The costumes worn by Michelle Pfeiffer and Winona Ryder are spectacular representations of the era, and the men’s outfits are also stunning in their revival of the grace of men’s clothing during that period. Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder, and Daniel Day-Lewis all cut striking figures in this film. This film, is perhaps, one of the most severely underrated period films--- and films of all-time. The Age of Innocence is one of my favorite novels and to see that the translation from book to film was so seamless and beautiful made me truly happy. To be honest, between The Aviator, Gangs of New York, and this, I really can't decide which is my favorite Scorsese film. (Because I know Scorsese has done some brilliant crime films, but my favorites will always be the period pieces)










THREE.
MOULIN ROUGE! (2001)


The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.



Setting: Paris, 1899
Direction: Baz Luhrmann
Art Direction: Catherine Martin and Brigitte Broch (Academy Award win)
Costume Design: Catherine Martin (Academy Award win)


Moulin Rouge taught me about showmanship in film. Because this film was a brilliant and complete visual spectacle. Everything in this film strives for perfection--- the beautiful, beautiful costumes (oh gosh that red dress!), the breathtaking direction, the overall stylization of the film. Just everything. What else can I say? I could watch this film over and over again and never get sick of it. A well-deserved win for Catherine Martin and honestly, it should have gotten the Academy Award win for Best Picture, psh.

Interesting tidbit:
Kate Winslet, Charlize Theron, Renée Zellweger, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Uma Thurman, Sharleen Spiteri, Courtney Love (yeah right) , Hilary Swank, Drew Barrymore, Julia Roberts, Winona Ryder, Patricia Arquette, Naomi Watts, Gwen Stefani, Kate Beckinsale, and Catherine Zeta-Jones were all contenders for the part of Satine; Nicole Kidman received the role.

Heath Ledger, Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sam Worthington, Christian Bale, Justin Timberlake (lol ok) , Robbie Williams, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scott Speedman, and Russell Crowe were all considered for the part of Christian; Ewan McGregor was chosen for the role.








TWO.
MARIE ANTOINETTE (2006)

Marie-Antoinette: This is ridiculous.
Comtesse de Noailles: This, Madame, is Versailles.



Setting: 18th Century Fance
Direction: Sofia Coppola
Art Direction: Pierre du Boisberranger
Costume Design: Milena Canonero (Academy Award win, DUH)

Sofia Coppola's direction breathes new life into what could have been a stuffy period piece (The Duchess and The Young Victoria very nearly veered into that direction) with this lively, vibrant take on France's most dazzling and tragic young Queen. The Academy Award win by Milena Canonero was a well deserved one, but it must be noted that Manolo Blahnik and Pompei made the shoes in the film, and Rochetti & Rochetti were in charge of the wigs--- those brilliant wigs! (Without those wigs, what would all these French nobility do?) This was a point in history where fashion had reached a point of ridiculous (but who cares). If you read up on French history--- or at least the costume bit, hairstyles were so elaborate entire scenes and landscapes were built into ladies' towering wigs (remember the ship in Kirsten's wig during her coronation/party) --- to the point where they had to stoop to enter a room (now this I would have loved to see!)









ONE.
PRIDE & PREJUDICE (2005)





Mr. Darcy: You must know... surely, you must know it was all for you. You are too generous to trifle with me. I believe you spoke with my aunt last night, and it has taught me to hope as I'd scarcely allowed myself before. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.




Setting: Late 18th Century, rural England
Direction: Joe Wright
Art Direction: Ian Bailie
Costume Design: Jacqueline Durran (Academy Award nominated)


I've watched the making of of this film like a billion times, and the Pride & Prejudice set diaries as well and this film is so very dear to me. Along with Little Women, Pride & Prejudice was one of those books about women that my mother wanted me to read as a child and Joe Wright has done so much justice to the novel, along with the rest of the cast and crew.

If you pay close attention to the film--- you'll notice a marked difference in Darcy's wardrobe especially, as the film progresses. At the start of the film he wears very buttoned up, dark colors, and as he progresses on and his character develops, his clothes become less stiff, looser and freer. This is what Jacqueline Durran wanted to do with the costumes in the film. Set the characters apart with their costumes. With Jane Bennet, she gave the lovely Rosamund Pike soft, pastel colors, and for Lizzy, the down-to-earth one, warm, earthy tones to wear.

And let's not forget some of the truly panaromic/breathtaking and downright beautiful/stunning/flawless shots by Joe Wright. Bah, everything in this film is perfect--- score, sets, cast, everything.

Rupert Friend and Keira Knightley both make 2 appearances in this list, hee!
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