Period Dramas-The Tudors 1485–1603
by eliza_gaskell | created - 11 Feb 2011 | updated - 08 Sep 2012 | PublicThis is a list of movies or/and mini series set in the 1485–1603.
The Tudor period in English history is dated between 1485 and 1603. The Tudor dysnasty began with King Henry Tudor and ended with Queen Elizabeth I. **Note: The Tudor Dynasty(1485-1603) does include the Elizabethan era, which I have incorporated into this list.
For those who are serious about Period Dramas and deem a movie/mini series worthy to be listed, add your comments.
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1. Elizabeth (1998)
R | 124 min | Biography, Drama, History
The early years of the reign of Elizabeth I of England and her difficult task of learning what is necessary to be a monarch.
Director: Shekhar Kapur | Stars: Cate Blanchett, Liz Giles, Rod Culbertson, Paul Fox
Votes: 105,149 | Gross: $30.08M
Date set: 1554-1562 (nb:1562 is the date in which Elizabeth was scarred and partially balded by smallpox; it is alleged this attributed to her over-dependence on wigs and cosmetics) Monarch reign: Queen Mary & Queen Elizabeth I Cate Blanchett was born to play this role. To witness the cautious and young Elizabeth transfor into a queen of determination, guts and strength is outstanding. This film is not be be miscontrued as historically accurate, still it done damn fine film.
2. Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)
PG-13 | 114 min | Biography, Drama, History
A mature Queen Elizabeth endures multiple crises late in her reign including court intrigues, an assassination plot, the Spanish Armada, and romantic disappointments.
Director: Shekhar Kapur | Stars: Cate Blanchett, Clive Owen, Geoffrey Rush, Jordi Mollà
Votes: 75,077 | Gross: $16.29M
Date set: 1588 (roughly) Monarch reign:Queen Elizabeth I & King Phillip II of Spain Some people loved it, some people liked it and some people hated it. I fall in the catergory of 'I liked it'. I have only 3 issued with it (1) The casting of Clive Owen, who in my opinion looked more modern then a man of that period (2) Cate Blanchet looked like a botox queen than an aging one. Sure she had the white powdered face and the bright red wig, but historically she was roughly mid fifties. (3) the first movie was a Hell of a lot better; more love,and craft, plenty of blood, sweat and tear went in that one, than the sequel, which had a larger budget
3. The Tudors (2007–2010)
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama, History, Romance
A dramatic series about the reign and marriages of King Henry VIII.
Stars: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Henry Cavill, Anthony Brophy, James Frain
Votes: 81,238
althought a TV series, still deserves to be listed. This is not historically built on fact. The fact Henry had 2 sisters and not one should be enough for anyone, not the take this series too seriously; it should be watched however for drama
4. The Virgin Queen (1955)
Approved | 92 min | Biography, Drama, History
Sir Walter Raleigh (Richard Todd) overcomes court intrigue to win favor with Queen Elizabeth I (Bette Davis) in order to get financing for a proposed voyage to the New World.
Director: Henry Koster | Stars: Bette Davis, Richard Todd, Joan Collins, Jay Robinson
Votes: 3,067
5. The Virgin Queen (2005–2006)
59 min | Biography, Drama, History
From teenage princess to accomplished queen, torn between duty and personal longing, the reign of Elizabeth I is exposed in this lavish drama filmed against a backdrop of some of Great Britain's most beautiful houses and landscapes.
Stars: Anne-Marie Duff, Sienna Guillory, Ian Hart, Tom Hardy
Votes: 3,278
also see The Virgin Queen (1955) This is an epic movie, from the beginning of Lady to princess to queen. This movies goes the many years of Elizabeth's life including into old age. And at the very last moments of the production, as they reveal the small portrait in her ring, who do you think it was? **trivia: Sienna Guillory of Resident Evil:Apocalypse stars in this mini series
6. Twelfth Night (1996)
PG | 134 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Shakespeare's comedy of gender confusion, in which a girl disguises herself as a man to be near the count she adores, only to be pursued by the woman he loves.
Director: Trevor Nunn | Stars: Helena Bonham Carter, Richard E. Grant, Imogen Stubbs, Steven Mackintosh
Votes: 6,404 | Gross: $0.59M
also see Twelfth Night (1980) Twelfth Night (1987) Twelfth Night (1988)
7. Dangerous Beauty (1998)
R | 111 min | Biography, Drama, Romance
A Venetian courtesan becomes a hero to her city, but later becomes the target of an inquisition by the Church for witchcraft.
Director: Marshall Herskovitz | Stars: Catherine McCormack, Rufus Sewell, Oliver Platt, Fred Ward
Votes: 19,641 | Gross: $4.53M
also know as Dangerous Beauty
8. Shakespeare in Love (1998)
R | 123 min | Comedy, Drama, History
The world's greatest ever playwright, William Shakespeare, is young, out of ideas and short of cash, but meets his ideal woman and is inspired to write one of his most famous plays.
Director: John Madden | Stars: Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Tom Wilkinson
Votes: 234,388 | Gross: $100.32M
To this day, I still cannot, understand why Gwyneth Paltrow ever one the oscar, when Cate Blanchett clearly was a better actress. I never liked this movie and only saw it once....which was enough for me. It does not belong in my Period Drama collection and I would happily let it burn, if my house was on fire. It's not a brilliant film in my opinion, but others are welcome to state otherwise. Best part of course was the less then 4 minute scene with the magnificent Judy Dench as Queen Elizabeth
9. Orlando (1992)
PG-13 | 94 min | Biography, Drama, Fantasy
After Queen Elizabeth I commands him not to grow old, a young nobleman struggles with love and his place in the world.
Director: Sally Potter | Stars: Tilda Swinton, Billy Zane, Quentin Crisp, Jimmy Somerville
Votes: 18,726 | Gross: $5.29M
10. Solomon Kane (2009)
R | 104 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
A ruthless mercenary renounces violence after learning his soul is bound for hell. When a young girl is kidnapped and her family slain by a sorcerer's murderous cult, he is forced to fight and seek his redemption slaying evil.
Director: M.J. Bassett | Stars: James Purefoy, Max von Sydow, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Pete Postlethwaite
Votes: 76,428
Date set-1600-1601 Era- Queen Elizabeth Swords, scorcery, leather, religion, capes and James Purefoy, that sums up Solomon Kane. The character Solomon Kane is created by Robert E Howard (best known for Conan The Barbarian fictional series) , who is regarded, by many, as the father of the sword and sorcery subgenre. The action sequeces are spot on, on a small budget, and really innovated and it shows through vision of the director, Michael J. Bassett. There are images that pay homage to the 1970's Comic series of Solomon Kane, which are breathtaking (note the Crucifixion scene and Solomon praying to a headless Jesus). Sure it does not have the budget of LOTR Trilogy, but I'd be watching the careers of some of the crew in particular Dan Laustsen (cinematography), Michael J Bassett (Director), Klaus Badelt (music), David Baxa (art direction), John Bloomfield (costume designer) and lastly Lee Gordon (set design). ***SPOILER*** I felt cheated with the ending because the fire demon, Kane was battling with, had a screen time of less then 5 minutes!
11. Othello (1995)
R | 123 min | Drama, Romance
The Moorish General Othello is manipulated into thinking that his new wife Desdemona has been carrying on an affair with his Lieutenant Michael Cassio, when in reality, it is all part of the scheme of a bitter Ensign named Iago.
Director: Oliver Parker | Stars: Laurence Fishburne, Kenneth Branagh, Irène Jacob, Nathaniel Parker
Votes: 10,180 | Gross: $2.11M
also see Othello (1922) Othello (1952) Othello (1965) Othello (1980)
12. Lady Jane (1986)
PG-13 | 136 min | Biography, Drama, History
The story of Lady Jane Grey, who was Queen of England for only nine days.
Director: Trevor Nunn | Stars: Helena Bonham Carter, Cary Elwes, John Wood, Michael Hordern
Votes: 7,085 | Gross: $0.28M
Date set: 1553-1554 Monarch Reigh: King Edward VI & Queen Mary An insight to the ruler of England for only 9 days. After the death of Henry VIII, King Edward is dying and unable to govern, John Dudley forces his son Guildford to wed Lady Jane, in an attempt to secure power and the throne of England. Apart from history not being quiet correct, there are good performances from a very young Helena Bonham Carter and Cary Elwes.
13. Mary, Queen of Scots (1971)
PG-13 | 128 min | Biography, Drama, History
During the sixteenth century, the Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots engages in over two decades of religious and political conflict with her cousin, the Protestant Queen Elizabeth I of England, amidst political intrigue in her native land.
Director: Charles Jarrott | Stars: Vanessa Redgrave, Glenda Jackson, Patrick McGoohan, Timothy Dalton
Votes: 4,882 | Gross: $2.33M
also see Mary of Scotland (1936) Mary, Queen of Scots (2007)
14. Gunpowder, Treason & Plot (2004 TV Movie)
TV-MA | 205 min | Drama, History
Mini series depicting the turbulent and bloody reigns of Scottish monarchs Mary, Queen of Scots and her son King James VI of Scotland who became King James I of England and foiled the Gunpowder Plot.
Director: Gillies MacKinnon | Stars: Vulpe Adrian, Carmen Ungureanu, Clémence Poésy, Tadeusz Pasternak
Votes: 1,925
1st DVD-Queen Mary I
Date set: 1561-1568
Monarch Reign: Queen Elizabeth I
2nd DVD- King James I of England (aka King James VI of Scotland)
Date set: 1589-1605
Monarch Reign: Queen Elizabeth I & King James I
When you see this DVD, the first part is about Mary Queen of Scots and the next episode is about her son King James I of England. It's a pity Mary Queen of Scots is the weaker of the series. The much stronger one is the reign of James VI (James I of Scotland), during which Guy Fawkes and his band of merry men, attempted to blow up parliment; hence the name Gunpower, Treason and Plot.
***TRIVIA*** "Remember, remember the 5th of November, the Gunpowder, treason and plot. I know of no reason why the gunpowder teason should ever be forgot." quote from "V for Vendetta". Ever wandered about it? watch this and it will explain the madness of Guy Fawkes (Michael Fassbender) and his fellow men, reason to blow up the English Parliment. Sure it's not historically accurate, but the story does give the background. It's up to you to persue it further.
15. The Fighting Prince of Donegal (1966)
Not Rated | 110 min | Adventure, Biography, Family
After inheriting his father's title, the young noble, Hugh O'Connell, is taken hostage by the English viceroy but escapes to lead an uprising.
Director: Michael O'Herlihy | Stars: Peter McEnery, Susan Hampshire, Tom Adams, Gordon Jackson
Votes: 429
16. Sword of Hearts (2005 Video)
93 min | Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
Swashbuckling Adventure of Geoffrey Pierce, a young soldier returning home from foreign wars. Coming back with plans to make amends to Lady Grace, a woman he once wronged, Geoffrey finds ... See full summary »
Director: David Schmidt | Stars: Jen Albert, Dawn Alden, Enzo Amitrano, Libby Beyreis
Votes: 36
17. Will Shakespeare (1978)
60 min | Biography, Drama
Biography of William Shakespeare.
Stars: Tim Curry, Paul Freeman, John Normington, Ron Cook
Votes: 123
18. The Taming of The Shrew (1967)
Approved | 122 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Brutish, fortune-hunting scoundrel Petruchio tames his wealthy, shrewish wife, Katharina.
Director: Franco Zeffirelli | Stars: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Cyril Cusack, Michael Hordern
Votes: 8,686 | Gross: $8.00M
also see The Taming of the Shrew (1929) The costume is lavish and so are the sets, this can be distracting the colours are vividly bright and loud. I found Elizabeth Taylor's portrayal of Katharina a bit too hard to feel any concern with her at all. Still is does stay faith to Shakespeare's witty play.
19. Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
PG-13 | 111 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Young lovers, and soon to wed, Hero and Claudio conspire to get verbal sparring partners and confirmed singles, Benedick and Beatrice, to wed as well.
Director: Kenneth Branagh | Stars: Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Keanu Reeves, Kate Beckinsale
Votes: 52,017 | Gross: $22.55M
I have only one inkling with this film and it's with the casting of Keanu Reeves as the villan Don John. Personally he looked most modern and out of place in this film
20. Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)
PG-13 | 121 min | Drama, Romance
The Brothers Grimm arrive at the home of a wealthy Grande Dame who speaks of the many legends surrounding the fable of the cinder girl before telling the "true" story of her ancestor.
Director: Andy Tennant | Stars: Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, Dougray Scott, Patrick Godfrey
Votes: 81,754 | Gross: $65.71M
21. Christopher Columbus: The Discovery (1992)
PG-13 | 120 min | Adventure, Biography, Drama
Genoese navigator overcomes intrigue in the court of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain and gains financing for his expedition to the East Indies.
Director: John Glen | Stars: Marlon Brando, Tom Selleck, Georges Corraface, Rachel Ward
Votes: 3,225 | Gross: $8.25M
also see Christopher Columbus (1949) Christopher Columbus (1985)
22. Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972)
Not Rated | 95 min | Action, Adventure, Biography
In the 16th century, the ruthless and insane Don Lope de Aguirre leads a Spanish expedition in search of El Dorado.
Director: Werner Herzog | Stars: Klaus Kinski, Ruy Guerra, Helena Rojo, Del Negro
Votes: 62,316
23. Ivan the Terrible, Part I (1944)
Not Rated | 95 min | Biography, Drama, History
During the early part of his reign, Ivan the Terrible faces betrayal from the aristocracy and even his closest friends as he seeks to unite the Russian people.
Director: Sergei Eisenstein | Stars: Nikolay Cherkasov, Lyudmila Tselikovskaya, Serafima Birman, Mikhail Nazvanov
Votes: 10,868
24. Ivan the Terrible, Part II: The Boyars' Plot (1958)
Not Rated | 88 min | Biography, Drama, History
As Ivan the Terrible attempts to consolidate his power by establishing a personal army, his political rivals, the Russian boyars, plot to assassinate their Tsar.
Director: Sergei Eisenstein | Stars: Nikolay Cherkasov, Serafima Birman, Pavel Kadochnikov, Mikhail Zharov
Votes: 8,056
25. The Return of Martin Guerre (1982)
Not Rated | 112 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
In medieval France, some villagers challenge a man's claim of identity when he (as he says) returns home from some time in the army.
Director: Daniel Vigne | Stars: Gérard Depardieu, Nathalie Baye, Maurice Barrier, Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu
Votes: 4,826 | Gross: $0.02M
26. Queen Margot (1994)
R | 161 min | Biography, Drama, History
Young Queen Margot finds herself trapped in an arranged marriage amidst a religious war between Catholics and Protestants. She hopes to escape with a new lover, but finds herself imprisoned by her powerful and ruthless family.
Director: Patrice Chéreau | Stars: Isabelle Adjani, Daniel Auteuil, Jean-Hugues Anglade, Vincent Perez
Votes: 18,999 | Gross: $2.02M
27. Michael the Brave (1971)
203 min | Action, Biography, Drama
At the end of the 16th century Wallachian ruler Prince Michael the Brave overcame the adversity of the Ottoman and Austrian Empires to unite Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania into one country.
Director: Sergiu Nicolaescu | Stars: Amza Pellea, Ion Besoiu, Olga Tudorache, Irina Gardescu
Votes: 6,566
28. Young Bess (1953)
Approved | 112 min | Biography, Drama, Romance
The early life of Elizabeth I, from her childhood until her accession to the throne of England in 1558.
Director: George Sidney | Stars: Jean Simmons, Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr, Charles Laughton
Votes: 1,818
I really enjoyed this movie.***spoiler***near the end when King Henry dies, he points to his children and Edward is this sheep, Mary is this sheep and when Jean Simmons comes forth from the background he ask her what type of sheep is she. She answers back "The black sheep".
29. Elizabeth I (2005)
TV-MA | 112 min | Biography, Drama, History
Mini-series about the the public and private lives of the later years of Queen Elizabeth I.
Stars: Helen Mirren, Toby Jones, Hugh Dancy, Patrick Malahide
Votes: 7,033
30. The Twisted Tale of Bloody Mary (2008)
104 min | Drama, History
She was loved, she was a princess, heir to the throne - but the childhood fairytale turned to lifelong nightmare for Mary Tudor, Henry VIII's first child. When Henry divorced her mother and... See full summary »
Director: Chris Barnard | Stars: Miranda French, Simon Kirk, Jorge Balça, Jason Sharp
Votes: 58
31. Fire Over England (1937)
92 min | Adventure, History, Romance
During the reign of Elizabeth I, a young man's fervent devotion to the crown and to his sweetheart, a lady-in-waiting, lead him to battle for England's victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588.
Director: William K. Howard | Stars: Laurence Olivier, Flora Robson, Vivien Leigh, Raymond Massey
Votes: 1,980
32. Gloriana (2000 TV Movie)
138 min | Drama, History, Music
Director: Phyllida Lloyd | Stars: Josephine Barstow, Tom Randle, David Ellis, Susannah Glanville
Votes: 45
also see Gloriana (1984)
33. The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
PG-13 | 115 min | Biography, Drama, History
Two sisters contend for the affection of King Henry VIII.
Director: Justin Chadwick | Stars: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana, Jim Sturgess
Votes: 119,991 | Gross: $26.81M
also see The Other Boleyn Girl (2003) I have read the book, which tells the story of Anne Boleyn and her family rise to power and their downfall through the eyes of Mary Boleyn. This production is sleek and it looks it. I would not state it is wonderful. Many facets could of been explored but were not. Such as the bond of sisters, the rivellery and the ambitions of family. It really is a pity The Duke of Norfolk was not given more screen time. In the book he is total hardcore; ambitious, driven, hard and stern. Natalie Portman was a surprise as Anne Boleyn, but I do wish the wardrobe in costumes for her were a bit varied. Scarlett Johansson certainly did not fit the part of Mary Boleyn as did the casting of Eric Bana as Henry. Don't waste time here contemplating history, still an above average movie.
34. Anne of the Thousand Days (1969)
PG | 145 min | Biography, Drama, History
King Henry VIII of England discards one wife, Catharine of Aragon, who has failed to produce a male heir, in favor of the young and beautiful Anne Boleyn.
Director: Charles Jarrott | Stars: Richard Burton, Geneviève Bujold, Irene Papas, Anthony Quayle
Votes: 8,121 | Gross: $2.07M
Geneviève Bujold performance as Anne Boleyn is faultless. She portrays her with a person with many layers. She's funny, witty, vulnerable, strong, courageous, speaks her mind, ethical and maternal. ***SPOILER*** my favourite scene is when she is locked in the tower counting the number of days. Henry walks in and demands she confess. She never backs down, then laughs in his face when she does and accuses him of dishonestly. When stands proud and tall stating Elizabeth will be the greatest ruler in all of England.
35. Mary Stuart (1982 TV Movie)
135 min | Drama, Music
Director: Peter Butler | Stars: Janet Baker, Angela Bostock, Bill Bowen-Cooper, Leigh Maurice
Votes: 10
36. The Heart of a Queen (1940)
103 min | Biography, Drama
While awaiting her unjust execution at the hands of the treacherous Queen Elizabeth I, the tragic Mary Stuart reflects at the series of cruel political machinations that set up her path to the scaffold.
Director: Carl Froelich | Stars: Zarah Leander, Willy Birgel, Maria Koppenhöfer, Lotte Koch
Votes: 105
37. A Man for All Seasons (1966)
G | 120 min | Biography, Drama, History
The story of Sir Thomas More, who stood up to King Henry VIII when the King rejected the Roman Catholic Church to obtain a divorce and remarry.
Director: Fred Zinnemann | Stars: Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Robert Shaw, Leo McKern
Votes: 37,170 | Gross: $28.35M
also see A Man for All Seasons (1988) A Man for All Seasons (1957) A Man for All Seasons (1964)
38. The Conclave (2006)
100 min | Biography, Drama, History
In 1458, five years after the fall of Constantinople to the Turk, eighteen cardinals met in Rome to elect a new pope. A 27-year-old Spanish cardinal, Rodrigo Borgia, learns to play a very dangerous game; how to survive his first conclave.
Director: Christoph Schrewe | Stars: Manu Fullola, Brian Blessed, James Faulkner, Rolf Kanies
Votes: 617
39. Henry VIII (2003 TV Movie)
TV-14 | 193 min | Biography, Drama, History
Two part mini-series documenting the stormy thirty-eight-year reign of King Henry VIII.
Director: Pete Travis | Stars: Ray Winstone, Joss Ackland, Sid Mitchell, Charles Dance
Votes: 2,489
see also Henry VIII (1991) Henry VIII (1911) Henry VIII (1997
40. Luther (2003)
PG-13 | 123 min | Biography, Drama, History
During the early sixteenth century, idealistic German monk Martin Luther, disgusted by the materialism in the Catholic Church, begins the dialogue that will lead to the Protestant Reformation.
Director: Eric Till | Stars: Joseph Fiennes, Bruno Ganz, Peter Ustinov, Alfred Molina
Votes: 16,005 | Gross: $5.79M
41. The Borgia (2006)
120 min | Biography, History
A portrait of the bloody dynasty that spawned a pope, Alexander VI, as well as the role model for Machiavelli's "The Prince," his son Cesare Borgia, and a legend of femme duplicity, daughter Lucrezia Borgia.
Director: Antonio Hernández | Stars: Lluís Homar, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, María Valverde, Sergio Múñiz
Votes: 1,659
42. The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965)
Approved | 138 min | Biography, Drama, History
The biographical story of Michelangelo's troubles while painting the Sistine Chapel at the urging of Pope Julius II.
Director: Carol Reed | Stars: Charlton Heston, Rex Harrison, Diane Cilento, Harry Andrews
Votes: 8,056
43. The Shadow of the Tower (1972)
Biography, Drama, History
A series recording the key events in the reign of Henry Tudor and his founding of the Tudor Dynasty
Stars: James Maxwell, Bruce Hodgkins, Norma West, Hugh Sullivan
Votes: 229
44. The Prince and the Pauper (2000 TV Movie)
PG | 90 min | Adventure, Family