Listmania!
Best historical book adaptations & costume dramas since 1990
Pride And Prejudice : Complete BBC Series - 10th Anniversary Edition [1995]Pride And Prejudice : Complete BBC Series - 10th Anniversary Edition [1995]
Buy new: £6.98 / Used from: £6.49
The best adaptation of P&P yet: truest to the book, historically correct costumes and a yummy Mr Darcy!
Emma [1996]Emma [1996]
Buy new: £5.99 / Used from: £1.50
The best Emma to date: longer, more detailed and simply better than the Gwyneth Paltrow version. Kate Beckinsale is a convincing Emma; Mark Strong is a terrific Mr Knightley.
Sense And Sensibility (Collector's Edition) [1996]Sense And Sensibility (Collector's Edition) [1996]
Buy new: £4.97 / Used from: £9.56
Terrific acting by Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman and Kate Winslet. True to the book, with mostly correct period details.
Mansfield Park [1999] [2000]Mansfield Park [1999] [2000]
Buy new: £3.97 / Used from: £2.35
As all Mansfield Park adaptations, not without controversy. But still an interesting adaptation featuring an excellent Mary and Edmund.
Persuasion : Complete BBC Adaptation [1995]Persuasion : Complete BBC Adaptation [1995]
Buy new: £10.48 / Used from: £15.98
A very good Persuasion (some will say this version is the best), with a convincing performance by Amanda Root (Anne).
Persuasion : Complete ITV Adaptation [2007]Persuasion : Complete ITV Adaptation [2007]
Buy new: £5.07
Wow! This new adaptation of Persuasion rivals the Roots/Hinds version. Very convincing Sir Walter Elliot and Captain Wentworth, although the '95 version features a better Anne.
Northanger Abbey [2007]Northanger Abbey [2007]
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £4.98
Everyone's least favourite Austen has been turned into a sweet albeit short film with a wonderful Catherine Morland, a charming Henry Tilney and a very bad-therefore-hot Captain Tilney.
Jane Eyre (BBC) [2007] [2006]Jane Eyre (BBC) [2007] [2006]
Buy new: £23.01 / Used from: £19.85
Without doubt the best adaptation of Jane Eyre yet. Ruth Wilson is a very convincing and endearing Jane Eyre, and the length of the series allows for actual storytelling.
Jane Eyre [1996]Jane Eyre [1996]
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £19.94
The acting is terrific (great young Jane and Mr Rochester), but the story is cut short because of time restraints (this is, after all, a film, not a series). Still one of the best adaptations around.
Wuthering Heights [1992]Wuthering Heights [1992]
Buy new: £4.00 / Used from: £2.89
Definitely NOT a perfect version of the story, but Ralph Fiennes, for me, makes a convincing Heathcliff.
The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall [1996]The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall [1996]
Buy new: £6.34
Possibly my favourite Brontë-book, definitely a great adaptation. Tara Fitzgerald is really good and the setting is amazing.
La Reine Margot [1993]La Reine Margot [1993]
Buy new: £6.47 / Used from: £6.50
A fascinating rendition of the historical events surrounding the St Bartholomew's Massacre in 16th century Paris. Great atmosphere, wonderful costumes/locations.
Charles II [2003]Charles II [2003]
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £5.75
Having written a thesis about (amongst others) Charles II, I am thrilled with this series. Very good acting by Rufus Sewell (Charles II). Period details are accurate overall. Brilliant storytelling.
Girl With A Pearl Earring [2004]Girl With A Pearl Earring [2004]
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.00
Although it is very strange for a Dutch person like me to hear the actors speak English (as the story is set in Holland), the cinematography, music and historical setting of this film are fantastic.
Tous Les Matins du Monde [1991] (REGION 1) (NTSC)Tous Les Matins du Monde [1991] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Wonderful film about the fascinating composer Sieur de Ste Colombe. Features Gérard Depardieu as Marin Marais and some of the finest viola da gamba music you'll ever hear.
Aristocrats [1999] (REGION 1) (NTSC)Aristocrats [1999] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Buy used from: £25.32
A fascinating period in British history, with great acting, costumes and setting. A gem!
Joyeux NoelJoyeux Noel
Buy new: £2.97 / Used from: £3.50
Depicting the brief Christmas truce of 1914, this film captures an idyllic moment in the trenches- before the real onslaught began. Features vocals by brilliant French soprano Nathalie Dessay.
A Very Long Engagement - 2 Disc Edition [2004]A Very Long Engagement - 2 Disc Edition [2004]
Buy new: £7.48 / Used from: £4.70
A great lovestory. Amélie meets Saving Private Ryan in the muddy trenches of WWI. Nice cinematography.
Gosford Park [2002]Gosford Park [2002]
Buy new: £3.63 / Used from: £1.01
The massive cast, featuring Richard E. Grant, Helen Mirren, Emily Watson and Sir Derek Jacobi, deliver stunning performances. Costumes and locations are historically correct and just plain gorgeous.
Keep The Aspidistra Flying [1997]Keep The Aspidistra Flying [1997]
Buy new: £4.97 / Used from: £3.59
A great adaptation of George Orwell's novel. Richard E. Grant is brilliantly cynical, Helena Bonham Carter is wonderfully independent-yet-forgiving. Great costumes/setting, a must see!
The Remains Of The Day [1993]The Remains Of The Day [1993]
Buy new: £4.47 / Used from: £3.65
Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson act in a completely credible, understated yet thrilling way. The locations are fascinating, the historical backdrop interesting, but their acting is breathtaking.
Nowhere In Africa [2003]Nowhere In Africa [2003]
Buy new: £5.98 / Used from: £4.99
Impressive acting, interesting period in history, but most of all, the African backdrop is awesome.
Blackadder: Complete Collection - BBC Series 1-4 & The SpecialsBlackadder: Complete Collection - BBC Series 1-4 & The Specials
Buy new: £27.78 / Used from: £21.70
A must for anyone with an interest in history and a sense of humour.