Saturday, January 2, 2016

Old-Fashioned Charm's 2016 Period Drama Challenge!


It's hard to believe that it's been three years since I posted the first Period Drama Challenge in January of 2013. Now in this new year of 2016 and I want to issue another challenge to watch and review a certain number of period dramas over the next six months! 

A few years ago a period drama website I followed (which has since disappeared) hosted a Period Drama Challenge - watch a certain number of period dramas in a year and review each one. That challenge is what got me started reviewing films. Now I'd like to issue a similar challenge to all of you! 

This Period Drama Challenge is given in the hopes that it will inspire you to not only watch new and interesting period films but also share a love for these films by reviewing them! 

This challenge won't be difficult for many of my readers because you review more films than I do now! Hopefully this challenge will also help me to be more consistent about reviewing film.



To Participate: 
  • Choose a number of period films to watch (see levels below). 
  • Leave me a comment to let me know you are going to participate and post on your blog or website that you're going to join in.
  • Watch the number of films you choose between January 2nd - July 2nd, 2016.
  • When you watch a period film review it on your blog or website. 
  • When you review a film leave a comment here with the link to your review. 
  • Each month I'll be posting links to the reviews posted during that month. 
  • Each month I'm also planning to post some tag questions for participants to answer just for fun. 

How Many Period Dramas Will You Choose To Watch?
Choose a number of films from the list below. You can change the number of films you watch and review as you go along. You don't have to tell me which films you're going to watch and review - part of the fun is finding new things to watch. You can choose to re-watch a film you've seen before, but just make sure it's one you've never reviewed before. Pick however many films you think you can reasonably watch and review in six months.

Choose one of these amounts:
  • 5 Films - Period Film Admirer 
  • 8 Films - Period Film Lover 
  • 10 Films - Period Film Devotee 
  • 12 to 15 Films - Period Film Fanatic  

What Makes A Period Drama?
A television costume drama, big screen film or TV series set in a historical era. They could be adaptations of classic novels, based upon historically set books, stories of historical events or even biographical flicks. For what eras are eligible I'd say anything from Ancient times up to the 1940's (like World War II). Also eligible are films that travel back in time or start in one era and moves to another (such as Lost In Austen, From Time To Time, Somewhere In Time or The Love Letter).

Here's a list of historical eras to help you out:
  • The Ancient Era (Biblical times, 4000 B.C.-476 A.D.) 
  • The Medieval Era (476-1450) 
  • The Renaissance Era (1450-1600) & Elizabethan Era (1558-1603) 
  • The Baroque Era (1600-1750) 
  • The Georgian/Colonial Era  (1714-1811) 
  • The Regency Era (1812-1830, also known as the Jane Austen era) 
  • The Victorian Era (1837-1901) 
  • The Edwardian Era (1901-1919. and World War I)
  • The 1920's 
  • The 1930's
  • The 1940's (World War II films)

Having a hard time choosing something to watch? Check out my Period Films page and also this handy list with synopsis, trailers and links to reviews of each film.

What Should You Include In Your Reviews?
Firstly, the films you choose should preferably be family friendly, but if they do have questionable scenes please note this somewhere in your review. Other than that the style of review is up to you! Your review can be fairly short (one or two paragraphs) or ramble on at length - but, if you usually write very short reviews I encourage you to go into more detail. It's a good idea to talk about things like the music, scenery, story, actors, costumes & hairstyles. And if it's based on a book or historical era, you might mention how accurate it is to the book and time period. And don't forget to tell how much you liked or disliked it the film and whether you'd recommend it. Consider including film clips, quotes, photos or soundtrack clips in your review too. Overall, just have fun with them!


Will you help spread the news about this Period Drama Challenge? Please post on Twitter, Facebook pages, Instagram, Tumblr or on your blog! Feel free to use the image above or use one of these buttons:

Old-Fashioned Charm


Old-Fashioned Charm



Will you join in?

How many period dramas will you be watching and reviewing?




P.S. Because I will be traveling the day this is posted, I may not be able to respond to comments right away. Thanks for your patients!

91 comments:

Heidi said...

Oooooooohhh, this looks most exciting!! I'll have to see how many I can fit in, but I definitely hope to participate. :) Meanwhile, the button's going up on my sidebar.

Rose said...

That sounds like a wonderful project.
You can count me in:)
I'm gonna try to watch 10 films - should be possible.

Heidi said...

I'm back again! With your wonderfully open film range, when it comes to watching I'm most definitely a Period Drama Fanatic (i.e. I know I'll probably easily be watching 12-15 between now and July ;D). Buuuuut, I'm also trying to keep my schedule open and I'm not sure how many I can actually review... so I think I'll sign up for doing 5 at the moment. Does that sound good?

Thanks so much for hosting!!! I'm planning to post about it after my Cinderella party next week. :)

Hamlette (Rachel) said...

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thankyouthankyouthankyou. I am so excited about this! I have been hoping you'd do this again, and I'm absolutely in! I am going to aim for Fanatic, as in 12 to 15 films :-) We'll see if I make it this time!

Tom said...

Oh this sounds like fun! I'm up for the challenge, and will go for 8 films as a "period film lover" and hope to have at least two by the end of the month. Cheers! - Tom

Birdie said...

Lovely, lovely! I want to join and I'm going to aim for 8 reviews. Will you be doing monthly recaps like you did last time? I really enjoyed browsing through those and reading other peoples reviews and have discovered many lovely blogs that way!

Lois Tinúviel said...

8 Films! Thanks for doing this! :)

Éowyn said...


What a delightful idea! I love the generous spread you gave for period films; this should be both educational and enjoyable. I'm going to join in as a Period Drama admirer.

And I just put up my first review! - http://ofhorseselvesandmen.blogspot.com/2016/01/movie-spotlight-first-love-1939.html

Faith said...

Aww I love this idea! So cool! I definitely want to join in.

I'm going to go for a Period Film Admirer and do 5 films. Hopefully, I'll be able to pull this off. ;)

Heidi said...

Here's my link-up/PDC announcement post:

http://ladyofanorien.blogspot.com/2016/01/period-drama-challengefilm-list.html

And question -- (I can't make up my mind on this :)), but does the 2015 Cinderella count?

Abby said...

What a lovely blog you have! This would be great for me to do, as I'm still pretty new to blogging. I'd love to join as a Period Drama Admirer. Do seasons of a period drama series count?
-Abby
http://violetcottage.blogspot.com/

Catherine said...

This sounds fun - but no 50's or 60's? And do mini-series count?

m a r y l i z said...

What a lovely idea! I'm fairly busy right now so I shall sign up for the Period Drama Admirer. If I have more time, I will probably do the Period Drama Lover. Thanks so much for hosting this!

Faith said...

This looks like a lovely idea! I'll sign up for Period Film Admirer - Five films!

Carissa (Regency Woman) said...

Hi! My name is Carissa and my blog is Musings of an Introvert. I found you because of Heidi and this period drama challenge sounds like so very much fun! I'll also be following your blog since your interests sound like they're right up my alley. :)

I will confess to being a Period Drama Lover and will agree to 8 films right now, although that might change. I'm almost finished watching the remake of Jamaica Inn so that will likely be my first review! :)

Jenelle Schmidt said...

This looks like so much fun! I love period films.

Carissa (Regency Woman) said...

Okay, so I'm changing it up a little! I've gone up to Devotee because I couldn't imagine what I would cut from my list! Here's my first announcement post for your challenge. ❤

http://cabdriversandcoffeepots.blogspot.com/2016/01/period-drama-challenge-film-choices.html

Tiny Toadstool Cottage said...

I would love to join in! This is the first time I have seen this challenge, but I'm up for 12-15 as that is what I would watch anyway! Last week I did a review of The Age of Adaline - would that count? It was a lovely movie.
Jayne @ http://tinytoadstoolcottage.blogspot.com.au/

Tiny Toadstool Cottage said...

I have just posted my movie and TV series choices on my blog and will post my first review on Saturday.

http://tinytoadstoolcottage.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/period-drama-challenge.html

Hamlette (Rachel) said...

Miss Laurie, I have two reviews done so far :-) My review of the 1914 silent version of Cinderella is here, and my review of the 1955 version of We're No Angels is here.

Carissa (Regency Woman) said...

Just wrote my review for the 1997 version of Oliver Twist. Not a bad start, I think. Thanks for hosting this. I know I've just found your blog, but I'm finding it very enjoyable. ❤

http://cabdriversandcoffeepots.blogspot.com/2016/01/period-drama-challenge-oliver-twist-1997.html

Catherine said...

I'm going to do 5 for the moment - here's my intro post :)

http://whenitdoes.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/period-drama-challenge-2016.html

Catherine said...

Hi, first review is 'Call the Midwife' :) http://basedonthebook.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/call-midwife.html

Hamlette (Rachel) said...

One more for January! (Next month, I'll try to leave you one comment with all my links instead of bombarding you over and over.) My review of The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) is here :-)

Heidi said...

Here's the review I did for the 2015 Cinderella earlier this month: http://ladyofanorien.blogspot.com/2016/01/movie-review-cinderella-2015-with-lily.html

(Again, I'm not positive it fits ;), but I did talk about the dresses/highlighted periods a little so feel free to decide if it works, etc!)

Éowyn said...

Here's my review for The Inheritance:

http://ofhorseselvesandmen.blogspot.com/2016/01/movie-spotlight-inheritance-1997.html

Carissa (Regency Woman) said...

Miss Laurie, I finished another review, this time for Beyond the Mask, a most delightful and family friendly period film.

http://cabdriversandcoffeepots.blogspot.com/2016/01/period-film-challenge-beyond-mask-2015.html

Miss Laurie of Old-Fashioned Charm said...

Hi everyone! Thanks for joining and I'm really enjoying all your lovely reviews!

Films like Cinderella (2015) are perfectly fine for reviewing, films rather old-fashioned in clothing style but with a bit of fantasy or magic in them is perfectly fine. Also it's fine to review one season of a period TV show at a time or even one episode at a time.

I will be doing a recap post with tag questions for each month. The January Recap & Tag Questions post is on the blog now: http://old-fashionedcharm.blogspot.com/2016/02/january-2016-period-drama-challenge.html

My first film review is Master and Commander: The Far Side Of The World: http://old-fashionedcharm.blogspot.com/2016/01/master-and-commander-far-side-of-world.html

Keep the wonderful reviews going! Feel free to join any time if you haven't already joined!

m a r y l i z said...

Here's the link to my first review! I unfortunately only reviewed one film last month, but I hope to do more in February. From the looks of things, I will probably be able to review more than 5 films overall :)

http://sunshineandscribblings.blogspot.com/2016/01/period-drama-challenge-singin-in-rain.html

McKenna said...

Oh Yes! I can easily do 12-15 (maybe more LOL) I have a Doris Day film sitting by the dvd player right now and I can't wait! (It's a 1950s film set in the 1910s) Count me in!!!

missmckennaray.wordpress.com

The Gibson Girl said...

I am hoping to start a blog of my own soon...and this is perfect motivation! I would like to aim for five films. =)

Carissa (Regency Woman) said...

I finished my 3rd review, this one for Ladyhawke from 1985, set in the 11th century. :)

http://cabdriversandcoffeepots.blogspot.com/2016/02/period-drama-challenge-ladyhawke-1985.html

m a r y l i z said...

My next review is up! You can check out my review for At World's End right here.

http://sunshineandscribblings.blogspot.com/2016/02/period-drama-challenge-pirates-of.html

Faith said...

Here's a link to my first review for the period drama challenge!

Hail, Caesar! Review

Lois Tinúviel said...

Here's my first review (finally!). Far From the Madding Crowd 2015. http://youmeandacupofteablog.blogspot.com/2016/02/movie-review-far-from-madding-crowd-2015.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FWoZzi+%28You%2C+Me%2C+and+a+Cup+of+Tea%29

Catherine said...

Don't know if this counts as it's mainly costumes, but here's my latest period drama post on 'War and Peace': http://basedonthebook.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/costume-stuff-8-war-and-peace-2016.html

:)

Rose said...

I reviewed Jane Eyre, hre's the link:
http://best-of-classics.blogspot.com/2016/02/jane-eyre-2011.html

Catherine said...

Here's my review of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies for the challenge :)

http://whenitdoes.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/what-im-watching-pride-and-prejudice.html

Heidi said...

Here's my Magic of Ordinary Days review. :)

http://ladyofanorien.blogspot.com/2016/02/movie-review-magic-of-ordinary-days.html

And it ended up being so long I did a Part II focusing on the dress/costumes. Here's the link for that if you'd like it:

http://ladyofanorien.blogspot.com/2016/02/part-ii-magic-of-ordinary-days-dress.html

Carissa (Regency Woman) said...

My review for Risen.

http://cabdriversandcoffeepots.blogspot.com/2016/02/period-drama-challenge-risen-2016.html

Catherine said...

My review of 'How Green was my Valley' for St. David's day :)

http://basedonthebook.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/how-green-was-my-valley.html

Faith said...

Here's my second review for the drama challenge!!

Rurouni Kenshin Film Review

Lois Tinúviel said...

My review of the 1998 version of Vanity Fair.
http://youmeandacupofteablog.blogspot.com/2016/02/movie-review-vanity-fair-1998.html

Heidi said...

My February tag answers!

http://ladyofanorien.blogspot.com/2016/03/period-drama-challenge-tag-answers.html

Catherine said...

My review of 'Arabian Nights' (2000) :)
http://whenitdoes.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/what-im-watching-arabian-nights.html

Becky said...

I'm joining in late, but, I had watched some qualifying movies/shows earlier. I'll go back and write mini-reviews for what I've seen in January and February. I'll write individual reviews for what I watch in the future--probably more detailed than what my mini-reviews will be!!! I'm so excited about the challenge.

Becky said...

I've written mini-reviews for what I watched in January and February. I also answered the tag questions for both months.

Becky said...

And here's my review of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, season 1

Carissa (Regency Woman) said...

First March review, for When Calls the Heart. ❤

http://cabdriversandcoffeepots.blogspot.com/2016/03/purity-at-heart-of-things-when-calls.html

Catherine said...

My review of 'Bill': http://whenitdoes.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/what-im-watching-bill.html :)

Abby said...

Here's my review of Mercy Street:
http://violetcottage.blogspot.com/2016/03/mercy-street-2016-review.html
Abby

Becky said...

I'm sharing my thoughts on Lark Rise to Candleford, season 1.

Becky said...

Not a review, but perhaps some fun: I've written a top ten "my one weakness" post inspired by Lark Rise to Candleford. I'd love to see other people share their one weakness :)

Birdie said...

Finally reviewed my first period drama for the challenge, phew...

http://lady-ofthe-manor.blogspot.nl/2016/03/television-review-poldark-series-1.html

Becky said...

My review of Miss Potter

Carissa (Regency Woman) said...

A post for The Imitation Game.

http://cabdriversandcoffeepots.blogspot.com/2016/03/how-do-we-treat-people-lessons-learned.html

Catherine said...

My review of 'Tess of the D'Urbevilles' 2008 (this challenge is much too addictive...)

http://basedonthebook.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/tess-of-durbevilles-2008.html

Lois Tinúviel said...

My review of Lark Rise to Candleford. :)
http://youmeandacupofteablog.blogspot.com/2016/03/tv-series-review-lark-rise-to-candleford.html

Birdie said...

My review of Populaire (2012)

http://lady-ofthe-manor.blogspot.nl/2016/03/movie-review-populaire-2012.html#more

Becky said...

I have mini-reviews for Scarlet pimpernel and Persuasion. And a review of Doctor Zhivago.

Becky said...

My answers for March's questions.

Mikaela said...

Too bad, I watched North & South last month, and I've already watched a few episodes of The Paradise (thanks to Netflix), and I haven't signed up! I'm still going to sign up, of course!

Becky said...

I've Lark Rise to Candleford, season 3 and, of course, season two too.

Becky said...

My review of Ever After.

Birdie said...

I posted a review of Galavant season 2 here: http://lady-ofthe-manor.blogspot.nl/2016/04/television-review-galavant-season-2.html

Catherine said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mikaela said...

Here's my review for The Princess Bride (I hope it counts!)

http://imdreamingelsewhere.blogspot.ca/2016/04/my-thoughts-on-princess-bride.html

Mikaela said...

Here's my review of Belle. :)

http://imdreamingelsewhere.blogspot.ca/2016/04/my-thoughts-on-belle.html

Becky said...

My review of Young Victoria.

Abby said...

I've just posted my review of Amazing Grace:
http://violetcottage.blogspot.com/2016/04/amazing-grace-2006-review.html
Abby

Catherine said...

My review of Anastasia (1956): http://whenitdoes.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/anastasia-is-remake-1956-vs-1997.html
:)

Lois Tinúviel said...

Two reviews.
Brooklyn- http://youmeandacupofteablog.blogspot.com/2016/05/movie-review-brooklyn.html
Chocolat- http://youmeandacupofteablog.blogspot.com/2016/05/movie-review-chocolat.html

Becky said...

I've got a handful of reviews to share. In one post, I reviewed Nicholas Nickleby and Bleak House. In another, I reviewed the final season of Lark Rise to Candleford. And earlier in the month I did a many mini-reviews post covering Much Ado About Nothing, Amazing Grace, Lawrence of Arabia, Schindler's List, Victoria and Albert.

Catherine said...

Review of Love & Friendship (aka Lady Susan) :)
http://basedonthebook.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/love-friendship-or-lady-susan-book-vs.html?view=flipcard

Rose said...

I reviewed these two in May
http://best-of-classics.blogspot.com/2016/05/master-and-commander-far-side-of-world.html

and
http://best-of-classics.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-scarlet-pimpernel-1982.html

Mikaela said...

Here's my review for "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe": http://imdreamingelsewhere.blogspot.ca/2016/06/my-thoughts-on-lion-witch-and-wardrobe.html

I hope it suits this challenge :3

Becky said...

I've reviewed The Gathering Storm and Into the Storm two movies about Winston Churchill.

Becky said...

My review of And then There Were None.

Becky said...

Here's my review of Testament of Youth

Lois Tinúviel said...

My review for Love and Friendship.
http://youmeandacupofteablog.blogspot.com/2016/06/movie-review-love-and-friendship.html

Faith said...

Here's my review for Victor Frankenstein:

http://justwaytooboss.blogspot.com/2016/06/victor-frankenstein-review.html

Becky said...

I've got reviews of two musicals from the 1930s. Swing Time with Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire...and Show Boat.

Becky said...

I've reviewed three musicals--two of which should definitely count. 1776, Yankee Doodle Dandy, and West Point Story.

Mikaela said...

Here's my review for Sherlock Holmes :3 http://imdreamingelsewhere.blogspot.ca/2016/06/my-thoughts-on-sherlock-holmes.html

Faith said...

My fourth review for "The Three Musketeers" K-drama series:

http://justwaytooboss.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-three-musketeers-k-drama-review.html

Heidi said...

Here's my review for The Music Man '03! It's a musical, but VERY period-drama-ish. ;D

http://ladyofanorien.blogspot.com/2016/06/movie-review-music-man-2003-with.html

Becky said...

I've got a post of many mini-reviews. The Madness of King George, The Von Trapp Family: A Life of Music, Jane Eyre, The Seventh Cross, Nicholas Nickleby, and She Stoops To Conquer

Heidi said...

Here's my review for Love Comes Softly:

http://ladyofanorien.blogspot.com/2016/07/movie-review-love-comes-softly-with.html

4 out of 5 done. One more to go to make the challenge -- so we shall see! ;)

Heidi said...

I finished!!! Here's my fifth and final review. :D

The Black Shield of Falworth (1954) with Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh:

http://ladyofanorien.blogspot.com/2016/07/movie-review-black-shield-of-falworth.html

Rose said...

Here's the review I did in June

Seven Brides For Seven Brothers:
http://best-of-classics.blogspot.com/2016/06/seven-brides-for-seven-brothers.html

Without A Clue:
http://best-of-classics.blogspot.com/2016/06/without-clue.html

Doctor Thorne:
http://best-of-classics.blogspot.com/2016/07/doctor-thorne-2016.html

Amaris said...

Oh my goodness, I just discovered your blog, so I am so sad that I couldn't be involved in this! I sure hope I can do it with everyone in the future! This looks super fun, after all. It's been awhile since I've watched (or even READ) a good Period Drama type of story. This kind of challenge could be just what I need.
I certainly hope you will do this again soon!
Have a good day. :)
-Amaris

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