I love the show Victoria (itv) because of the subtle reversing of period/historical drama gender based cliches- allow me to explain
Albert: I'm not like other boys(TM), I'm sulky and broody and wear my hair in my face. I seduced my wife by playing piano while sending her shy glances across the room. I have nothing to do but prattle about the palace all day, but everyone tells me my position will be cemented when we have a son and heir. I have taken up with a cause that it is interesting enough to be relevant to a modern audience, but is still charity based and not governmental. I would desperately like us to start having babies because I want a family. I was given a servant who I am very sure is a spy and doesn't like me. (Every female cliche in a period drama)
Victoria: I angrily ride horses while debating about whether or not to propose to Albert. My best friend in the whole world is my dog. I am too busy running the country to notice how miserable my husband is, but I try my best to make him happy with pretty gifts. I abhor the thought of children, and am also terrified of the high rate of death in childbirth, but eventually I'll cave because my spouse desperately wants babies. The writers tried to give me a character, but at some point every plotline became about my spouse. I have canonically said "all babies look like frogs to me" (Every male cliche in a period drama)
72 notes
路
View notes
Soooo I know probably no one cares, but I was bored this afternoon and decided to make a list of historical period dramas following the history of the English monarchs
(Note: these are all DRAMAS. None of them are perfectly historically accurate, several of them are downright offensive. Also, several British monarchs are multiple depictions and some had none. I did my best, but this is by no means an exhaustive list. Do your own research on each of the films for any triggers or content warnings.)
William the Conqueror- The Early Life of William the Conqueror, up to the Battle of Hasting and the Invasion of 1066
1066- William the Conqueror, the invasion of England and the Battle of Hastings
[William II does not have any film dedicated to his life or his reign (that was usable, anyway]
[Henry I does not have any film dedicated to his life or his reign]
Pillars of Earth- This series does not focus on it, but it is set to the backdrop of the Anarchy, which is absolutely fascinating, and it is a crime we do not have any good films about Empress Matilda
The Lion in Winter- Henry II and Elanor of Aquitaine (another woman who needs her own miniseries)
Richard the Lionheart (2021)- Richard I
King John (1899!)- John I [ALL of the other movies with these two were fucking Robin Hood movies]
[Henry III has never been depicted in film]
Outlaw King- Edward I
Edward II- Edward II (this is Piers Gaveston erasure that I could only find this one film)
The Dark Avenger- Edward III (and Edward the Black Prince as a bonus!)
Richard II- Richard II (any adaptation works, there are multiple)
The Hollow Crown- Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V
The King- Henry IV and Henry V
[Henry VI has no film depictions of his life or reign. WHICH IS A CRIME GIVE ME MARGARET OF ANJOU YOU FUCKING COWARDS!)]
The White Queen- Edward IV, Edward V, Richard III, and Henry VII (plus a fuckton of other historical figures)
Richard III: The Princes in the Tower- Richard III, Edward V
Richard III- Richard III (any adaptation will work, there are multiple. Be forewarned that although modern portrayals tend to be sympathetic, Shakespeare thought he was dick and it shows.)
The White Princess- Henry VII (plus his family)
The Spanish Princess- The last years of Henry VII's reign, the beginning of Catherine of Aragon and Henry VIII's marriage, and Prince Arthur! (Still salty we haven't had a KING Arthur yet)
The Tudors- Henry VII (+plus his six wives and Mary I) (Henry VII has an absolute fuckton of movies about each of his wives, I recommend picking a few more from the list) (also, be warned that this show is as historically inaccurate as shit, but good for drama)
The Prince & The Pauper- Edward VI (I don't think this one is very historically accurate either, but the most interesting thing about this Edward was his birth and death sooooo)
Lady Jane- Jane Grey
[Mary I has no film depictions of her life or reign (GIVE US A MOVIE YOU COWARDS!) (She does appear in the Tudor's and in some of Elizabeth I's shows though)]
Becoming Elizabeth- Elizabeth I (plus her siblings, I think)
Reign- Mary, Queen of Scots (VERY historically inaccurate, but one of my favorite period dramas. Mary's story is also very important to Elizabeth I and James I's)
Mary, Queen of Scots- Mary, Queen of Scots & Elizabeth I (2018) (this show covers the time in between Mary arriving in England and being executed)
Elizabeth: The Golden Age- Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I- Elizabeth I (2005)
Mary & George- James I & VI (This one isn't out yet, but none of James' other movies are that great- like AT ALL, and this one looks like its shaping up to be interesting)
[Charles I has no film depictions of his life or reign (which is very disappointing- this guy was so awful he got his head cut off and caused a civil war! Where's the vilification?)]
To Kill a King- Oliver Cromwell (+ a little Charles I)
Cromwell- Oliver Cromwell
Charles II: The Power and the Passion- Charles II
[James II has no film dedicated to his life or reign (another one that's a shame, this guy was so unpopular he was ALSO chased off the throne. Down with the Tudors, I want to see some Stuart movies)]
[William III and Mary II have no film dedicated to their joint reign.]
The Favourite- Anne I
[George I has no film dedicated to his life or reign]
[George II has no film dedicated to his life or reign]
Queen Charlotte- George III (and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz)(this one also isn't out yet, but it will be in 2023)
The Madness of King George- George III (and George IV)
A Royal Scandal- George IV
[William IV has no film dedicated to his life or reign]
The Young Victoria- Victoria I
Mrs. Brown- Victoria I
Victoria & Abdul- Victoria I
Edward the Seventh- Edward VII
[George V has no film dedicated to his life or reign]
The Woman He Loved- Edward VIII (and Wallis Nazi Simpson)
Bertie and Elizabeth- George VI (and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon)
The King's Speech- George VI (and Elizabeth Bowes Lyon
The Crown- Queen Elizabeth II
Spencer- Charles III (and Princess Diana)
93 notes
路
View notes