10 period dramas praised for realism and accuracy by experts

Historical accuracy in movies and television has been a source of fierce debate for decades, with some period dramas getting it surprisingly right while others avoid accuracy at the risk of criticism. In 2023, for example, Napoleon Director Ridley Scott hit back at British historian Dan Snow after the latter listed the film’s many historical inaccuracies, telling him to “Get a life“(by The shot). of course, Historical accuracy is not necessarily the factor that makes any given movie or TV show good, But it can help add an atmosphere of authenticity and realism that many audiences are looking for.

Several period dramas in both movies and television have been extremely successful in impressing audiences with their historical accuracy. Whether it’s in the way a certain historical event is portrayed, or just how the culture of the time is portrayed, these productions have been highly praised for their ability to faithfully capture the essence of their respective eras. In these dramas, the story is not just part of the backdrop, but an intrinsic part of what makes the story great.

10

Chernobyl (2019)

Based on the Chernobyl disaster

HBO is a production company famous for making some of the greatest television shows in history, including The Sopranos And Game of Thrones. However, it was in 2019 that they really hit the ball out of the park with their recounting of the events during and after the Chernobyl disaster, which saw a reactor at the titular nuclear power plant explode and radiation to leak for hundreds of miles. . Chernobyl Is centered around Valery Legasov (Jared Harris), the man brought to assist the highly expensive cleaning of the incident.

Except the praise for Chernobyls incredible storytelling and performances, the show is also masterful in its historical accuracy. According to historian Adam Higginbotham, author of Midnight in ChernobylSome of the shots from the show felt like genuine documentary footage rather than something fictional (via CBS). From the frustrating depiction of Soviet bureaucracy, misinformation, and the efforts to hide the disaster, Chernobyl Truly deserves its place As one of the most historically accurate TV shows out there.

9

Lincoln (2012)

Based on the life of Abraham Lincoln

Steven Spielberg’s historical epic, LincolnTells the story of the last months of the titular 16th President of the United States. With a standout performance from Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln, the film delves into the story of the president’s attempts to pass the 13th Amendment to ban slavery in the nation. Lincoln It excels at what it sets out to do – capturing the true essence and complexities of the man often regarded as one of the greatest American presidents ever.

Expert on the president, and a historian who consulted Lincoln‘s production, Harold Holzer, said that although there are some historical inaccuracies, overall the movie succeeds in providing an authentic experience for audiences (via Politics). The screenplay in particular was highly commended for its ability to Discuss the political quagmire of passing the 13th Amendment. Apart from this, the set design, costumes and attention to detail were also praised for their exceptional accuracy.

8

Downton Abbey (2010-2015)

Set in early 20th century England

A true cultural phenomenon of British television, Downton Abbey Gives the audience a glimpse of the life of the aristocracy in the early 20th century. Centered around the Crawley family and their servants in the titular family home, Downton Abbey is set between 1912 and 1926. Over six series, various historical events, such as the sinking of the Titanic and the Beer Hall Putsch.

From the costumes, to the set design and the relationships on display, Downton Abbey May be a work of complete fiction, but is praised by experts for its attention to historical accuracy. The show drew heavily on the expertise of historian Alastair Bruce, who, among a cameo in the show, was “brutal” in his attempts to create Downton As realistic as possible (by City and country). From the correct way to be short to how to speak to royalty, Darling was able to use his knowledge of the British aristocracy here.

7

Titanic (1997)

Based on the sinking of the Titanic

James Cameron Titanic was more than just a movie, it was a watershed moment for the genre. Tells the true story of the doomed Titanic as it left Southampton, Titanic has become one of the most commercially successful and iconic movies of all time.

of course, TitanicThe flagship romance between Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) was completely fictional, but That doesn’t stop the movie from being praised for its accuracy in other areas. The ship’s design and layout was made in close consultation with Robert Ballard, the man often credited with discovering Titanic’s shipwreck on the ocean floor.

besides that, Titanic Was also praised by Don Lynch, a member of the Titanic Historical Society for its dedication to historical accuracy in a movie so large in scale. Lynch, besides often being seen as the first historian on everything Titanic, helped to advise Cameron on how best to preserve the accuracy of the disaster (via Media Awareness Network).

6

The Queen (2006)

Based on the Queen’s response to Princess Diana’s death

The queen is a unique biographical drama that chronicles the reaction of Queen Elizabeth II (Helen Mirren) and the rest of the royal family to the death of Princess Diana in 1997. The film delves into the fraught relationship between the Queen and the British public at the time, exploring the nationwide tension following Diana’s death. It is a compelling movie that tackles the death of the princess with the utmost respect while also providing audiences with a healthy narrative.

besides that, The queen It has also been heavily praised for its historical accuracy. in particular, Mirren’s performance as the Queen, for which she won Best Actress at the Academy Awards, was very successful in capturing the monarch’s calm and gentle mannerism. labeled as “Almost too realistic“By The Guardian, The queen Expertly captures the chaotic and sad mood of the nation in 1997, especially in its depiction of Tony Blair’s (Michael Sheen) government response (via The Guardian).

5

12 Years a Slave (2013)

Based on the kidnapping and enslavement of Solomon Northup

Steve McQueen 12 years a slave Tells the harrowing true story of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), an African American man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery for 12 years. It is based on Northup’s 1853 memoir of the same name, and is widely regarded as one of the most powerful portrayals of slavery in the US. 12 years a slave is unflinching in its depiction of slavery, and does not shy away from the horrors faced by slaves during this shameful part of history.

The primary historical consultant for 12 years a slave was Professor Henry Louis Gates, an academic with a history of working on movies about slavery, such as Spielberg’s Amistad. Gates praised McQueen’s direction for being a “Refreshingly honest portrayal of slavery“, featuring multiple aspects of the movie, from the characters’ dialect to the depiction of plantation life (via The Guardian). 12 years a slaveIts commitment to historical accuracy is brutally honest, and its refusal to downplay the horrors of slavery makes it a landmark piece of period drama moviemaking.

4

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Based on the crimes of Jordan Belfort

Martin Sources The Wolf of Wall Street is based on the titular memoir of Jordan Belfort, a financial criminal who defrauded Americans during his time as founder of a brokerage house, Stratton Oakmont. Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, Used the fraudulent money to live a life of extravagant parties, drugs, and excess. The Wolf of Wall Street Serves as a cautionary tale about moral decay and corruption, and while it certainly exaggerates some aspects of Belfort’s life for comedic or dramatic effect, is praised for its authenticity.

Belfort himself served as an advisor on the film, and has argued ever since Wolf of Wall Street Accurately reflects the true story of what really happened during his time on Wall Street. From the depiction of Matthew McConaughey’s character, Mark Hanna, to Belfort’s sinking of a yacht owned by Coco ChanelIt’s hard to believe that the on-screen debauchery actually happened. Of course, Belfort’s word can be taken with a pinch of salt, but it must also be said that the accuracy of the chaotic, irregular atmosphere on Wall Street was also praised by the experts for its realism at the time (by. The Independent).

3

Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Adapted from Jane Austen’s novel

It would be impossible to write a list about the historical accuracy of period dramas and not mention this one who is often regarded as the gold standard for such a feat. The BBC miniseries adaptation of Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice is a heartfelt portrayal of the fictional love story between Elizabeth Bennett (Jennifer Ehle) and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy (Colin Firth).

While the Pride and Prejudice miniseries was perhaps not as commercially popular as the 2005 adaptation, an online poll showed that an overwhelming majority of audiences found the 1995 adaptation to be more historically accurate (via Regency rider). Almost every detail of the 1995 Pride and Prejudice Miniseries is meticulously crafted to reflect the culture and romance of early 19th century England.

Costume designer Dinah Collin’s attention to detail on the costumes, which accurately reflected the social status of each character, is nothing short of incredible. Austen expert, Janet Todd, has also praised the series for not romanticizing the era in which Pride and Prejudice is set, instead remaining true to the nuances of marriage as a social contract and class distinctions present in the story (via Cambridge University Press).

2

The Big Short (2015)

Based on the subprime mortgage crisis

Based on Michael Lewis’ book of the same name, Adam McKay’s The big short is a shocking, shocking and sometimes hilarious account of the 2008 financial crisis. It follows the story of various groups of financial experts in the months leading up to the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the subprime mortgage crisis, as each of them began to realize that they could make millions by “shorting” various mortgage-backed securities. . With a star-studded cast, meta fourth-wall breaking, and a tone that’s conversational rather than condescending, The big short has become a landmark in period drama production.

Besides telling a true story, The big short Also maintains a strong semblance of historical accuracy. While some characters have their names changed from their real-life counterparts, The movie remains an authentic depiction of the peopleWith Michael Burry claiming that Christian Bale did a fantastic job in capturing his socially awkward demeanor (via Vulture). Michael Lewis himself also commended The big short for being a faithful adaptation of the chaos of the financial world at the time, and the Guardian’s review praised the film for being self-aware, in some respects, that some parts of the story were fictionalized for dramatic effect (via The Guardian).

1

Boyhood (2014)

An age classic

Richard Linklater Boy is a movie that breaks away from traditional expectations of period dramas, redefining the genre for a new generation. It tells the fictional story of Mason Evans Jr. (Ellar Coltrane) as he grows up from the age of six to eighteen. However, what sets this movie apart from other coming-of-age dramas is that Linklater retained the same cast of characters for 12 years of filming and production. Boy is an extraordinary piece of filmmaking.

Apart from its unique premise, Boy has also been praised for its sheer authenticity of growing up in the 2000s. It has been praised to no end for its dedication to trying to be as relatable as possible to as wide a possible audience, with its radical production methods really helping the movie here. The character of Mason in particular is praised for “doing what little boys do”, before eventually growing up before the eyes of the viewers, not through special effects or makeup, but “through time itself” (by. Southern spaces). The realism of this period drama is unmatched as it shows the audience the true meaning of coming-of-age, with an authentic coming-of-age story told in real time.

Sources: The shot, CBS, Politics, City and country, Media Awareness Network, The Guardian, The Guardian, The Independent, Regency rider, Cambridge University Press, The Guardian, Southern spaces.