Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The best British period dramas, from Downton Abbey to Pride and Prejudice: Romance! Gorgeous costumes! Brooding glances! This lot has got it all and more
UK Evening Standard ^ | December 17, 2020 | Nancy Durrant, Katie Rosseinsky, and Jessie Thompson

Posted on 12/22/2020 5:14:17 AM PST by C19fan

Bonnets, big houses and brooding heroes: a good period drama is the ultimate comfort watch, a lovely balm for our “poor nerves” - as Mrs Bennet from Pride and Prejudice would probably put it - that’s particularly soothing when the world seems uncertain and strange.

From compulsive Sunday night viewing like Downton Abbey and Poldark to Oscar-baiting classics like Sense and Sensibility and A Room With A View, these are our all-time favourites...

(Excerpt) Read more at standard.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Books/Literature; History; Society; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: dramas; uk
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-106 next last
To: 21twelve

It will only get worse !

The internet is invaluable for people who like having information at their finger tips. However there is a sever price for that.


81 posted on 12/22/2020 8:55:58 AM PST by Reily
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 80 | View Replies]

To: C19fan

I remember watching the original “The Forsyte Saga” back in the late 1960’s and early 70’s and enjoyed it. I saw bits and pieces of “Upstairs, Downstairs” in the same era, but not enough to get a sense of the story line. “Downton Abbey” grew on me and I’ve enjoyed it. Currently, to include watching the ‘bingethon’ on TV right now, is the excellent “Outlander.”

I also recall enjoying “The First Churchills” of now 50 years ago and the DVD of it is on my Christmas list. Also from the long past is “The Wives of Henry the VIII,” which I ought to buy so as to watch it in color because I had a black and white TV back when it originally aired.


82 posted on 12/22/2020 9:51:29 AM PST by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sirius Lee; C19fan

“Piece of Cake” thank you for reminding me of it. An excellent novel turned into a TV series. I wish it was currently available on DVD. The only “flaw” in the movie was that they had to use Spitfire’s where as in the book the squadron flew Hurricanes. Back when it was made I think there was only one flyable Hurricane in the entire world, now there are several.


83 posted on 12/22/2020 9:58:02 AM PST by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: GreyFriar

Yes, the Hawker wasn’t sexy but it took out more Krauts than the Spit.


84 posted on 12/22/2020 10:40:24 AM PST by Sirius Lee (They intend to murder us. Prep if you want to live and live like you are prepping for eternal life)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 83 | View Replies]

To: pbear8

Saw it. Thanks


85 posted on 12/22/2020 11:15:37 AM PST by nuconvert ( Warning: Accused of being a radical militarist. Approach with caution.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 77 | View Replies]

To: C19fan

I enjoyed it until about the last 15 mins.


86 posted on 12/22/2020 11:18:39 AM PST by nuconvert ( Warning: Accused of being a radical militarist. Approach with caution.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 63 | View Replies]

To: Joe 6-pack

Do you know that a newly remade All Creatures Great & Small will begin airing in a few wks on PBS. I watched the trailer & it looks good.


87 posted on 12/22/2020 11:32:58 AM PST by nuconvert ( Warning: Accused of being a radical militarist. Approach with caution.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: C19fan

Early Poldark episodes were good, but it got lazy. Lark Rise to Candleford is quirky and cute, but again got lazy toward the end. Cranford was good to the last drop.


88 posted on 12/22/2020 11:34:48 AM PST by Excellence (Marine mom since April 11, 2014)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gay State Conservative

Have you seen Upstairs Downstairs 2010 version? It’s a continuation of the original starting 6 years after the original ended. They brought Jean Marsh back in her original role.


89 posted on 12/22/2020 11:36:26 AM PST by nuconvert ( Warning: Accused of being a radical militarist. Approach with caution.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert

I’ve heard of it.Jean Marsh was great but without Hudson and Mrs Bridges...the original ones...I’m not interested.


90 posted on 12/22/2020 11:41:06 AM PST by Gay State Conservative (STOLEN ELECTION 2020)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 89 | View Replies]

To: C19fan

They forgot that fabulous documentary, Blackadder Goes Forth...


91 posted on 12/22/2020 1:35:39 PM PST by Kommodor (Make America Detroit Again - Vote Democrat! :P)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GreyFriar

I remember “Piece of Cake.” That was good.

And “Reilly, Ace of Spies,” with gorgeous, young Sam Neill.


92 posted on 12/22/2020 2:08:50 PM PST by Tax-chick (I've got your worldwide wave of madness right here. Cthulhu Fhtagn!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 83 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick

Yes, “Reilly, Ace of Spies,” was well written and acted. As a young historian, I found it quite interesting. And I’ve realized there are other early Masterpiece theater British serials that I’ve long forgotten but were enjoyable. And the also mentioned “Foyle’s War” with Honeysuckle Weeks.


93 posted on 12/22/2020 2:33:45 PM PST by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 92 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Sivana

Gillian Anderson Bleak House I have NO IDEA how Gillian Anderson gets herself cast in all these things...I have not seen her in Bleak House, but I doubt that her portrayal of Lady Dedlock approaches that of Diana Rigg in an older BBC version.


I started to watch the Diana Rigg version, but didn’t finish. I’ve watched the Gillian Anderson version several times. There are so many characters that are memorable in it. I recommend it


94 posted on 12/22/2020 2:43:56 PM PST by hanamizu
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert

Loved the first season of “Victoria”, even knowing that history was being rewritten with her infatuation with Lord Melbourne, portrayed by the gorgeous Rufus Sewell.


95 posted on 12/22/2020 2:52:43 PM PST by Inspectorette
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: GreyFriar

I read a biography of Reilly. Fascinating.


96 posted on 12/22/2020 2:52:49 PM PST by Tax-chick (I've got your worldwide wave of madness right here. Cthulhu Fhtagn!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 93 | View Replies]

To: hanamizu
There are so many characters that are memorable in it. I recommend it

The book is excellent as well! Even a long mini-series cannot cover all the sub-plots and side-stories. In the Diana Rigg version, they dropped Mrs. Jellyby altogether. But yes, the characters are great. Haven't we all known a Skimpole somewhere along the way?
97 posted on 12/22/2020 3:15:41 PM PST by Dr. Sivana (There is no salvation in politics)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 94 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Sivana

Haven’t we all known a Skimpole somewhere along the way?


I really enjoyed Mr Smallweed. “Shake me up, Judy! Oh my bones!” Smallweed is played by Phil Davis who played the villain Sherlock’s ‘Study in Pink’ and the long-suffering Judy is played by Louise Brealey who also made it into the Sherlock series as Molly. In fact you’ll see a lot of familiar faces.

As for Skimpole he makes it almost to the last frame, the look on Esther Summerson’s (Anna Martin) face is great. And yes, I’ve encountered a Skimpole along the way.


98 posted on 12/22/2020 3:38:25 PM PST by hanamizu
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 97 | View Replies]

To: 21twelve

Love occupied.

Don’t miss Nobel.

Just finished home for Christmas 2 seasons.


99 posted on 12/22/2020 3:42:10 PM PST by Chickensoup (Voter ID for 2020!! Leftists totalitarian fascists appear to be planning to eradicate conservatives)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: C19fan

Sense and Sensibility, Ang Lee version with Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Alan Rickman. It is visually GORGEOUS and the romantic, dramatic musical score is perfection. This S&S version is my number one favorite of all time.

Persuasion, BBC version with Sally Hawkins and Rupert-Penry Jones. Ms. Hawkins’ hair was just AWFUL, but she’s a wonderful actress and this was a very romantic story.

I actually like S&S and Persuasion much better than Pride and Prejudice.


100 posted on 12/22/2020 3:44:54 PM PST by RooRoobird20
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-106 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson