There weren't as many of these films that were recognized as last time but some of the point of this game is to showcase some period films that don't get enough attention.
Like last time I'm including some of my thoughts about each film and hope they are helpful to you. If you have any particular questions about any of these films just leave them in the comments or send me an e-mail. :)
Period Drama Screencaps:
Screencap #1
From: Northanger Abbey (1987)
Stars: Peter Firth, Katharine Schlesinger, Robert Hardy, Googie Withers, Jonathan Coy
While this older version of my favorite Jane Austen novel can be quite melodramatic and a bit fantastical but the costumes are good, it stays fairly close to the original story and most of the scenes were actually shot in the real places in Bath. If you've never read the book I recommend that you stay away from this adaptation, Northanger Abbey really doesn't have a film version that completely satisfies this fan.
Watch Clip | View on YouTube here.
Screencap #2
Stars: Derek Jacobi, Toby Jones, Sophie Vavassuer, Gina McKee, Adam Godley, Zoë Wanamaker and Martin Freeman
I'm still not sure how close this adaptation comes to the original Charles Dickens novel but I do know that I like it in spite of it being such a sad story. Mr. Quilp's attentions to Nell make me shudder and her grandfather's gambling habit brings disappointment but there's still something so interesting in Little Nell that keeps me coming back to watch this film from time to time. Recommended by keep a box of Kleenex handy!
Read my full review. | View on YouTube here.
Screencap #3
From: Lantern Hill (1989)
Stars: Sam Waterson, Sarah Polley, Marion Bennett, Colleen Dewhurst, Vivian Reis, Zacharay Bennett
This film by Sullivan Entertainments (Anne of Green Gables, Road to Avonlea) is loosely based on Lucy Maud Montgomery's Jane of Lantern Hill but I've read that it differs quite a bit. It tells the story of Jane Stuart who is sent to visit her estranged father on Prince Edward Island when her mother grows ill. At his house on Lantern Hill Jane discovers mysterious secrets surrounding the death of her father's childhood sweetheart Evelyn Morrow and the real reasons her parents split up. Aided by quirky orphan Jody Turner and wise old Hepzibah, Jane must find the truth to put the ghosts of her parents past to rest.
This is a great family film and one of my dad's favorite that my family has enjoyed for years. It's neat to see Colleen Dewhurst, Sarah Polley and Zachary Bennett in other roles outside of Anne of Green Gables and Road to Avonlea. Sarah Polley's character, Jody, is so full of life, fun and mischief! Highly recommended!
"I'll leave the dog." - "Miss Nosey Parker, parking her nose all over everybody else's business!"
Screencap #4
From: Martin Chuzzlewit (1994)
Stars: Julia Sawalha, Tom Wilkinson, Emma Chambers, Keith Allen, Philip Franks, Elizabeth Spriggs, Paul Scofield
This clever Charles Dickens miniseries is often much neglected (even more than Our Mutual Friend!) and it is a bit older but no less brilliant than any other Dickens tale. If you've seen and loved Little Dorrit and Bleak House then this is a must see too! "The Chuzzlewits and their various branches are a large proud family. At it's head is Old Martin Chuzzlewit, a seemingly miserly rich old man who has disinherited his own grandson. Young Martin has displeased his grandfather by declaring his love for a poor young woman, a kind of secretary/companion who Old Mr. Chuzzlewit adopted as an orphaned girl. The plot is often moved ahead by the character of Mr. Chuzzlewit's cousin Mr. Pecksniff and his two daughters shrewd Charity "Cherry" and nonsensical Mercy "Merry" (simply delightful names!). Mr. Pecksniff is called a "hypocrite" by several characters is the story yet he seems a loving father and is trusted by his faithful apprentice Mr. Pinch. The plot thickens when silly Mercy marries the questionable character Jonas Chuzzlewit who has dark secrets to hide."
Read my full review. | View on YouTube here.
Screencap #5
Stars: Lesley Ann Warren, Ginger Rogers, Walter Pigeon, Stuart Damon, Jo Van Fleet, Celeste Holm
This version of the classic musical is one of my mom's all-time favorites as she has fond memories of watching it on TV at least once a year growing up. For her she sort of looked like Lesley Ann Warren (Cinderella) and when my daddy came along he looked a lot like the Prince! These songs are branded on my own mind and I own a DVD copy that I enjoy watching with my mom from time to time. I highly recommend this musical for everyone as it's just good clean fun! "She creaks madam."
Screencap #6
Stars: Louise Claire Clark, Liz Burch, Jay Kerr, Rod Mullinar, Michael Caton, Priscilla Weems
My siblings and I watched this Disney produced TV series growing up, borrowing the VHS tapes of all three seasons from a local video rental store (those were so popular in the 90's!). The series is set in the Australian Outback and tells the story of American spitfire Maggie Scott who travels with her daughter Hannah to meet her husband at the Five Mile Creek coach rest station. Maggie's husband doesn't come right away so she joins forces with rest station owner Kate who has been left by her brother to run things alone. Add in handsome American cowboy Con Madigan and schemer Jack Taylor who drive the stage / coach; Ben and Paddy - two interesting characters who serve as stage hands, an orphan named Sam and a whole lot of bad guys and you have the makings of a very interesting family show! Unfortunately only Season One was released on DVD here in the USA, but it is well worth borrowing VHS copies or watching on YouTube! And the theme song is so catching!
Watch Opening Theme Song | Watch first four episodes on YouTube here.
Screencap #7
From: The Lost Prince (2003)
Stars: Michael Gambon, Gina McKee, Tom Hollander, Miranda Richardson, Bill Nighy,
Have you seen The King's Speech? Well this film tells the story of the younger brother of George VI (Colin Firth's character in the film), Prince John "Johnny" – youngest child of Britain's King George V and Queen Mary – who died at the age of 13 in 1919.
Because of he suffered from epileptic seizures and some autism-like disorder Prince Johnny is kept away from the public and the rest of the family and lives a quiet life in the country with his nurse Lalla who's love and encouragement and faith in him help him to achieve over great odds. While his royal family are preoccupied with the fall of the House of Romanov in 1917 and WWI, the film often shows the world through Johnny's eyes in his honest and loving way. A beautiful film but very sad at times, I definitely cried!
View on YouTube here.
Screencap #8
From: Hello Dolly! (1969)
Stars: Walter Matthau, Barbra Streisand, Tommy Tune, Michael Crawford, Marianne McAndrew, Louis Armstrong,
Hello Dolly! tells the story of Dolly Levi, a professional matchmaker who helps three young couples through the stormy waters of courtship but her greatest victory will be the match she makes for herself.
Full of gorgeous costumes, catchy tunes, and amazing dance numbers, this film version is a lot of fun. My favorite song is 'Put On Your Sunday Clothes' (unfortunately couldn't find a good video clip) because it always puts a smile on my face. While this isn't my favorite musical it is such a classic and nice to watch every once in a while.
Screencap #9
From: Mansfield Park (1983)
Stars: Nicholas Farrell, Sylvestra Le Touzel, Anna Massey, Bernard Hepton, Angela Pleasence, Samantha Bond, Liz Crowther, Angela Pleasence and a very young Jonny Lee Miller
This older BBC adaptation of Mansfield Park is only one of the three now available that comes close to Jane Austen's original story and especially to presenting the character of Fanny Price accurately. But those aren't the only reasons I love this miniseries - it also has lovely costumes, pretty music, excellent actors, and more well filmed indoor and outdoor scenes than most BBC Jane Austen adaptations of its time. I still wish there would be a new close-to-the-book miniseries made but this film will always be a favorite.
View on YouTube here.
Screencap #10
From: A Little Princess (1986)
Stars: Amelia Shankley, Nigel Havers, Miriam Margolyes, Maureen Lipman, David Yelland, Patsy Rowlands
Growing up this BBC adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic was a family favorite that we watched a few times each year. Although this Sara Crewe is a bit older than in the book it does stick close to the original plot unlike the Shirley Temple version and doesn't add wild fantasies like the 1995 film. The costumes are lovely, the acting is very good and the settings are nice enough. If you find it on DVD or VHS snatch it up as it's a wonderful family film and a classic to be enjoyed again and again!
Watch the English or German version on YouTube here.
Screencap #11
From: Daniel Deronda (2002)
Bonus Answer: Actresses are Kate Maberly & Jodhi May
Other Stars: Hugh Dancy, Hugh Bonneville, Romola Garai, Edward Fox, Amanda Root, Celia Imrie, Jamie Bamber, Greta Scacchi, David Bamber, Anna Popplewell, Daniel Evans
When Gwendolen Harleth's family fall on hard times she has two choices: become a governess or marry ruthless but rich Mr. Grandcourt with the dark secrets in his past. She makes her choice and then she meets Daniel Deronda, the adopted son of a wealthy aristocrat, who goes on a journey to discover his mysterious origins.
For me the attraction to this film has never really been the story but rather the amazing actors, costumes, scenery and music. There are a few scenes and subject matters (such as illegitimate children) that are questionable but fairly easy to fast forward through. The story isn't a very happy one but the gentlemanly character of Daniel Deronda is so easy to admire and like.
Watch Trailer | View on YouTube here.
Players Scores:
Melody - 85 points
Emma Jane - 80 points
Rhoswen Faerie Wrose - 70 points
Kiri Liz - 55 points
birdienl - 55 points
Jessica - 40 points
Hayden - 40 points
Mary Beth - 30 points
Hamlette - 20 points
Elisabeth Grace Foley - 10 points
Which is your favorite?
Which of these films do you most want to see?
My goodness! Many of these movie's I've never even so much as heard of! (Although my sister and I were pretty sure that was Gina McKee in screencap #7!) We are currently watching Martin Chuzzlewit, and it is indeed brilliant. Thank you for bringing to light these so often-overlooked movies!
ReplyDeleteI didn't get Lantern Hill, and, yet, I own it....but I haven't watched it in ages, so that would be.why I didn't get it. And I once started watching DD, but Grandcourt creeped me out, so I stopped watching. But I'll try again....eventually.
ReplyDeleteYou know what's funny? When I guessed wrong on the Old Curiousity Shop, I was actually thinking of the right movie, just remembered the wrong name. ha It was too sad.
ReplyDeleteThank you a million times over for including Five Mile Creek; it is one of my all-time favourite shows, and I was beginning to think I was the only person in the world who knew about it :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, is the blond-haired actress in the Martin Chuzzlewit picture on the right the same one who plays Alice in The Vicar of Dibley?
God Bless
Eleanor Rose
I love Five Mile Creek so much! My family used to rent a tape (2 episodes) every week in the late '80s and early '90s. These characters are like my imaginary family.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's been years since I watched Hello, Dolly! -- I might need to rectify that! I do listen to the soundtrack fairly often, though.
Ah! I almost guessed Hello, Dolly! on #8, but hesitated over it and didn't. And I think I actually saw that version of A Little Princess many years ago, but didn't remember the faces of the actors well enough to recognize it.
ReplyDelete