If you're a fan of Steampunk , you'll know that the Victorian era is a key part of the genre. So it's no surprise that there are a huge number of movies set in this era. But which ones are the best? Check out my list to find out!
How to recognize the elements and theme of a Victorian era film?
The Architecture of the British Empire: From Palaces to the Underworld
Architecture in England is marked by a striking diversity, reflecting the cultural and social wealth that prevailed at the time. From the sumptuous palaces of London such as Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace to the slums such as Whitechapel, the buildings reflect a stark contrast between the wealthy and the destitute.
The majestic palaces, with their elegant facades and lush gardens, symbolise the power and prosperity of the nobility and the bourgeoisie. In contrast, the slums reveal modest dwellings, narrow and dark alleys, where poverty and precariousness were the daily lot of the working classes. This architectural duality highlights the social inequalities that characterised the British Empire and offers a poignant testimony to this historical period.
Period costumes
Period costumes play a vital role in the historical reconstruction and authenticity of films, plays and other artistic productions. They transport the viewer to a bygone era and faithfully represent the clothing trends, social codes and styles specific to each period.
Period costumes are often the result of careful research and design. Costume designers draw on historical documents, paintings, prints, and writings to design outfits that accurately reflect the fashions and materials used at the time. They also consider social, cultural, and geographic differences to create costumes that are appropriate for each character and their context.
Literary Adaptations: Between Love Stories, Police Plots and Fantasy
In the realm of love stories, Emily Brontë's work, Wuthering Heights, is a striking example. This novel has been adapted for the cinema several times, offering passionate and tormented love stories that touch the audience's hearts.
Detective stories are in the spotlight, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novels featuring the famous detective Sherlock Holmes have been adapted many times for film and television. These adaptations captivate the public by immersing them in the exciting investigations and ingenuity of the most famous detective in literature.
Finally, Victorian fantasy literature has a prominent place, such as:
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Jack the Ripper: London serial killer, inspiration for many works of fiction.
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Dracula: Bram Stoker's Gothic novel, dealing with themes such as immortality and fear of the unknown.
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The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: A work by Robert Louis Stevenson, exploring the duality of human nature and the struggles between good and evil.
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Frankenstein: Mary Shelley's novel about a scientist who creates a living creature from body parts.
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The Picture of Dorian Gray: Oscar Wilde's work, dealing with vanity, corruption and moral decay.
Victorian Era Films at a Glance
| Title | Director | Year | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Time of Innocence | Martin Scorsese | 1993 | Story of Newland Archer, torn between two women in New York high society. |
| Victoria, the young years of a queen | Jean-Marc Valley | 2009 | Queen Victoria's early years on the throne and her struggles to establish herself as a female monarch. |
| Pride and Prejudice | Joe Wright | 2005 | Adaptation of Jane Austen's novel about the Bennet sisters seeking husbands in Regency England. |
| Jane Eyre | Cary Fukunaga | 2011 | Story of Jane Eyre, a young orphan turned governess, and her love for Edward Rochester. |
| Shakespeare in Love | John Madden | 1998 | Romantic comedy about William Shakespeare lacking inspiration, finding love in Viola De Lesseps. |
| Sense and Sensibility | Ang Lee | 1995 | The Dashwood sisters and their experiences with love and marriage. |
| The Wuthering Heights | Andrea Arnold | 2012 | Intense and passionate relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. |
| The Lady of Windsor | John Madden | 1997 | Friendship between Queen Victoria and her Scottish servant John Brown. |
| The Remains of the Day | James Ivory | 1993 | A butler, Stevens, reevaluates his life after Miss Kenton leaves. |
| Gosford Park | Robert Altman | 2001 | A hunting weekend with aristocrats and Hollywood stars turns into a murder investigation. |
| Downton Abbey | Michael Engler | 2019 | Crawley family and their servants preparing for a royal visit, revealing buried secrets. |
| The Madness of King George | Nicholas Hytner | 1994 | True story of King George III's battle with mental illness. |
| The Duchess | Saul Dibb | 2008 | Life of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, and its controversies. |
| The Importance of Being Consistent | Oliver Parker | 2002 | Comedy about two young men who adopt false identities to escape their social lives. |
| Howards End | James Ivory | 1992 | Story of two families from different social backgrounds brought together by marriage. |
| The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde | Rouben Mamoulian | 1931 | Fantasy drama about the duality of human nature, adapted from the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. |
| Frankenstein | James Whale | 1931 | Story of a scientist creating a living creature from pieces of corpses, based on the novel by Mary Shelley. |
| Dracula | Tod Browning | 1931 | Adaptation of Bram Stoker's gothic novel, addressing immortality and fear of the unknown. |
| Wretched | Tom Hooper | 2012 | Musical adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel, following the lives of several characters in post-revolutionary France. |
| Oliver Twist | Roman Polanski | 2005 | Adaptation of the novel by Charles Dickens, telling the story of a young orphan in Victorian London. |
| The Picture of Dorian Gray | Oliver Parker | 2009 | Adaptation of Oscar Wilde's novel, exploring vanity, corruption and moral decay through the story of Dorian Gray. |
| Sherlock Holmes | Guy Ritchie | 2009 | The adventures of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes, based on the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. |
| Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows | Guy Ritchie | 2011 | Continuation of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and his confrontation with Professor Moriarty. |
| The Prestige | Christopher Nolan | 2006 | Two rival magicians in Victorian England, exploring themes of rivalry and magic. |
| Sweeney Todd: The Evil Barber of Fleet Street | Tim Burton | 2007 | Revenge story of an unjustly imprisoned barber, based on the musical by Stephen Sondheim. |
| The Illusionist | Neil Burger | 2006 | A magician uses his talents to win the love of a woman above his social class in late 19th-century Austria. |
The time of innocence
Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film is based on the eponymous novel by Edith Wharton. The story follows Newland Archer, a young lawyer from a wealthy New York family, who finds himself increasingly entangled in the lives of two women: the beautiful, married Ellen Olenska and her cousin May Welland, whom he is to marry. As Archer's feelings for Ellen grow, he must choose between the life he knows and the one he wants.
Victoria, the young years of a queen
Directed by Jean-Marc Vallee, this film tells the story of Queen Victoria's early years on the throne. Starring Emily Blunt as the young queen, the film chronicles Victoria's struggles to find her place in a world that is not yet ready for a female monarch. With the help of her trusted advisor, Lord Melbourne, Victoria learns to navigate the politics of the court and eventually becomes one of the most powerful women in history.
Pride and Prejudice
This classic Jane Austen novel has been adapted for the big screen several times, including Joe Wright's 2005 film , but the 1995 version, directed by Simon Langton, is widely considered the best. The story follows the Bennet sisters, a family of five young women in Regency England, as they search for husbands. Elizabeth Bennet, the second-oldest sister, is determined not to marry simply for the sake of it, but her plans are upended when she meets the wealthy and arrogant Mr. Darcy.
Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre is a 2011 romantic drama film directed by Cary Fukunaga. The film is based on the famous novel by Charlotte Brontë and stars Mia Wasikowska as Jane Eyre, Michael Fassbender as Edward Rochester and Jamie Bell as St. John Rivers.
The story follows Jane Eyre, a young orphan who, after growing up in a cruel foster home, becomes a governess at the vast Thornfield Hall. There, she meets the mysterious and dark master of the house, Edward Rochester. Despite their social differences and the secrets Rochester hides, they gradually fall in love. However, their love is tested when a terrible secret is revealed, forcing Jane to make a difficult decision that will change her life forever.
Shakespeare in Love
A 1998 romantic comedy film directed by John Madden and written by Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman. The film stars Joseph Fiennes as William Shakespeare and Gwyneth Paltrow as Viola De Lesseps.
The story takes place in the late 16th century, when the young playwright William Shakespeare, suffering from a lack of inspiration, is struggling to write his new play, "Romeo and Juliet". He meets Viola De Lesseps, a young woman from the nobility, who dreams of becoming an actress, although women are forbidden on stage at that time. Viola disguises herself as a man to audition for the role of Romeo and manages to get the part, without Shakespeare knowing her true identity.
Reason and feelings
Another Jane Austen classic, Sense and Sensibility was adapted for the screen by Ang Lee in 1995. The film follows the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, as they navigate the ups and downs of love and marriage. Elinor is level-headed and practical, while Marianne is impulsive and passionate. As they each experience heartbreak, the two sisters learn that sometimes the head and the heart must work together to find happiness.
The Wuthering Heights
One of the most iconic love stories in Victorian literature , Wuthering Heights has been adapted for film several times. The most recent version, released in 2012 and directed by Andrea Arnold, is a faithful adaptation of Emily Bronte's novel. The story centers on the intense and passionate relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, two people from very different backgrounds who are united by their love for each other. Although their love is forbidden and brings them nothing but pain, they cannot help but be drawn to each other.
The Lady of Windsor
This 1997 film, directed by John Madden, tells the true story of the unlikely friendship between Queen Victoria and her Scottish servant John Brown. Brown was hired to be the Queen's personal assistant, but their relationship quickly became much more than that. As the two grew closer, they came to rely on each other for companionship and support. Their friendship scandalized Victorian society, but it was also the only thing that helped Queen Victoria emerge from her deep mourning after the death of her beloved Prince Albert.
The remains of the day
Based on the novel of the same name by Kazuo Ishiguro, this 1993 film stars Anthony Hopkins as Stevens, a butler who is dedicated to his job. Stevens spends his days serving the Lord of Darlington Hall, and his evenings alone in his room, reading or writing letters to Miss Kenton, the head housekeeper for whom he has had feelings. When Miss Kenton suddenly resigns and goes to work for another family, Stevens finally begins to reevaluate his life and what he really wants from it.
Gosford Park
This 2001 film, directed by Robert Altman, is set in 1932 England and revolves around a hunting weekend at Gosford Park, a wealthy estate. The guests are a mix of aristocrats and Hollywood stars, and the staff are servants who are all too aware of the differences between their social classes. As the weekend progresses, tensions begin to rise and several murders are committed. It becomes clear that no one is safe at Gosford Park, and that everyone has something to hide.
Downton Abbey
Based on the television series, this 2019 film follows the Crawley family and their servants at their Victorian estate as they prepare for a royal visit from King George V and Queen Mary. As they make all the necessary arrangements, long-buried secrets begin to come to light, threatening to tear the family and the estate apart. Ultimately, it's up to Lady Mary Crawley to save Downton Abbey from ruin.
The Madness of King George
This 1994 film, directed by Nicholas Hytner, is based on the true story of King George III's battle with mental illness. George III was one of the most powerful monarchs in British history, but his reign was marked by bouts of madness that caused him to lose touch with reality. As his condition worsened, his family and closest advisors were left to pick up the pieces and keep the country running. The Madness of King George (as it was originally titled) is a fascinating look at one of the most turbulent periods in British history.
The Duchess
This 2008 film, based on the life of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, tells the story of one of the most controversial women of the time. Georgiana was a passionate philanthropist and social reformer, but she was also renowned for her beauty and scandalous love life. The Duchess chronicles Georgiana's rise to power and eventual fall from grace, as well as her complex relationship with her husband, the Duke of Devonshire. Keira Knightley delivers a stellar performance as Georgiana, and the film is a fascinating look into the life of one of the most intriguing women alive.
The importance of being consistent
One of the most popular comedies of the Victorian era, The Importance of Being Earnest was originally written as a play by Oscar Wilde in 1895. The plot revolves around two young men, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who adopt false identities in order to escape their social lives. However, their deception quickly spirals out of control and they find themselves in a series of increasingly comical situations. The Importance of Being Earnest is a witty and fast-paced comedy that will have you laughing from start to finish.
Howards End
This 1992 film, based on the novel by EM Forster, tells the story of two families from different social backgrounds who are brought together by marriage. The wealthy Wilcoxes are a traditional English family, while the Schlegels are a family of German intellectuals. As the two families grow closer, they begin to question each other's beliefs and values, eventually leading to a culture clash. Howards End is a thought-provoking film that explores the tensions between tradition and progress in early 20th-century England.
These are just a few of the many great films set in England during this time. If you're looking for a taste of luxury, romance and drama, any of these films will satisfy you. So sit back with a cup of tea and enjoy the delightful atmosphere that the cinema can provide.