Shubhabrata Dutta
Historical period dramas are monuments of cinematic journey. They weave intricate narratives that are set against the backdrop of eras gone by. From the majestic courts of ancient empires to the tumultuous upheavals of modern revolutions, these films beckon viewers repeatedly. Keeping that in mind, we bring you the list of period movies available on Hulu.
15. Edge of the World (2021)
Directed by Michael Haussman, this biographical drama is based on the life of British soldier James Brooke (1803–1868), who would become the first White Rajah of Sarawak, Malaysia. After getting wounded during his service in the Bengal Army (under the British Raj), he bought a ship and sailed to Borneo in 1838. At the time, it was under the rule of the Bruneian Sultanate. After helping the Sultan crush a revolution, Brooke was offered the governorship of Sarawak in 1841, which he accepted. He received full sovereignty over Sarawak in 1842. Brooke’s experiences, from the point he reached Borneo with his cousin Arthur Crookshank to his coronation, are what we see in this drama. It stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Dominic Monaghan, Samo Rafael, Bront Palarae, Atiqah Hasiholan, and Hannah New. You can watch ‘Edge of the World’ here.
14. Free State of Jones (2016)
‘Free State of Jones’ stars Matthew McConaughey as Newton Knight, a former Confederate who led a Southern Unionist militia against the Confederates in Jones County, Mississippi, during the American Civil War. He recruited his troops from among slaves and deserters in the county and rebelled in response to the Confederate army’s ill-treatment of the townsfolk. Directed by Gary Ross, ‘Free State of Jones’ co-stars Mahershala Ali, who plays Moses Washington, a runaway slave who fought alongside Jones. We also have Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Keri Russell in significant roles. You can watch the film here.
13. Medieval (2022)
This Czech historical drama takes us back to the 14th century and tells us the story of Czech General Jan Žižka, who lost not a single battle across his three crusades. He led the Hussite forces under Czech theologian/ philosopher Jan Hus, aka John Hus, aka John Huss. Directed by Petr Jákl, the film shows the politics and war Žižka faced from Henry III of Rosenberg and Sigismund of Luxembourg while trying to fulfill his objective that would lead to Wenceslas IV becoming the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. The cast includes Ben Foster (as Jan Žižka), Til Schweiger, Matthew Goode, Sophie Lowe, Roland Møller, and Michael Caine. You can watch ‘Medieval’ here.
12. Ferrari (2023)
Directed by Michael Mann, ‘Ferrari’ is a biographical drama adapted from the 1991 biography ‘Enzo Ferrari: The Man, the Cars, the Races, the Machine’ by acclaimed motorsport journalist Brock Yates. The film sheds light on the period in the life of Enzo Ferrari, the Italian founder of the sports car manufacturing company Ferrari, while his racing division prepares to participate in the 1957 Mille Miglia in Italy. This primary plot is underscored by his other crises, including his strained relationship with his wife, his illicit affair, and his imminent bankruptcy. Adam Driver stars as Enzo Ferrari, while Penélope Cruz plays Enzo’s wife, Laura Ferrari. The rest of the cast includes Shailene Woodley, Sarah Gadon, Patrick Dempsey, and Gabriel Leone. You can watch ‘Ferrari’ here.
11. Corsage (2022)
Set in the 19th century, this Marie Kreutzer directorial gives a fictionalized account of half of Empress Elisabeth of Austria’s (Vicky Krieps) life. The film begins with the celebration of her 40th birthday, an age that, as per her, is when a person begins to fade. She has already been restricted to an image of royalty (the film title being a metaphor for the constrictions that a corsage/corset brings). Still, her rightful vanity gets the better of her as she escapes to find her better self, one that isn’t bound, and tries to flirt with men and even goes back to her native place, among other stuff. Whether she can find peace is something you can find out by watching the film here.
10. Spencer (2021)
Based on one of the most popular personalities in world history, Princess Diana, who also ended up being one of the most controversial figures ever, ‘Spencer’ explores the mental state of Diana as she tries to wrap her head around her husband, King Charles III’s affair with Queen Camilla while coping with the two lives that she has to live, the real one and the one that the people with the cameras want to see. She tries to get closer to her kids, Prince William and Prince Harry, but it seems insufficient to bring her out of the darkness she feels pulled deeper and deeper into. Starring Kristen Stewart as Diana and Jack Farthing as Charles, ‘Spencer’ is a must-watch. You can do so right here.
9. Benedetta (2021)
‘Benedetta’ is set in 17th-century Italy. Based on the 1985 non-fiction book ‘Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy’ by Judith C. Brown, the film follows Benedetta, who is a nun, and showcases her forbidden steamy romance with Bartolomea, a female peasant. What keeps the convent from taking any action against Benedetta’s sin is her visions of Jesus Christ and the subsequent support she receives from the people of the town due to these visions. At a time when using “sex” and “faith” in the same sentence was considered sinful, Benedetta delved deep into both. Her experiences, as shown in the film and how they address faith and its strained relationship with lovemaking, make ‘Benedetta’ a compelling watch. The cast includes Virginie Efira, Daphne Patakia, Charlotte Rampling, Lambert Wilson, and Olivier Rabourdin. You can watch the film here.
8. Boston Strangler (2023)
Directed by Matt Ruskin, this film explores the case of the Boston Strangler, a phrase used to address the murderer or murderers of 13 women between 1962 and 1964 in Greater Boston. The truth behind the series of murders is looked into via the eyes of Boston Record American reporter Loretta McLaughlin, who was the first journalist to point a finger at the case and force the Boston police to investigate the deaths. Keira Knightley plays the role of Loretta McLaughlin. The rest of the cast includes Carrie Coon, David Dastmalchian, Morgan Spector and Alessandro Nivola. You can watch it here.
7. Ford v Ferrari (2019)
One of the best films ever made about cars, ‘Ford v Ferrari,’ is a biographical drama that focuses on the camaraderie and relationship between legendary automotive designer Carroll Shelby (designer of the Mustang for Ford) and British mechanic/race car driver Ken Miles. We see how the two work together to build a car (the Ford GT40) that can remove the Scuderia Ferrari team from the top spot by defeating it at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France. Directed by James Mangold, the film stars Matt Damon as Carroll Shelby, Christian Bale as Ken Miles, and Remo Girone as Enzo Ferrari, Ferrari’s founder. ‘Ford v Ferrari’ has two Academy Awards, one BAFTA, one Golden Reel, and three Hollywood Film Awards, along with many more accolades to its name. You can watch it here.
6. 13 Assassins (2011)
A modern remake of Eiichi Kudo’s 1963 eponymous classic, ‘13 Assassins’ is a samurai drama set in 13th-century feudal Japan (end of the Edo Period). It follows a group of 13 assassins (11 samurai, one ronin, and one hunter), led by Shimada Shinzaemon, who set off on a potential suicide mission to assassinate brutish and ruthless warlord Matsudaira Naritsugu before he wins a position in the Shogunate Council. Packed with action from start to finish, underscored by brilliant storytelling, ‘13 Assassins’ is directed by Takashi Miike. The film stars Koji Yakusho (‘Shall We Dance?’ (1996)) as Shimada Shinzaemon and Gorō Inagaki as Lord Matsudaira Naritsugu, along with Mikijirō Hira, Hiroki Matsukata, Tsuyoshi Ihara, and Yusuke Iseya. The film won four awards at the Japan Academy Prize and the Asian Film Award for Best Production Design, among other accolades. You can watch it here.
5. Red Cliff (2008)
Directed by the legendary John Woo, who is known for his action films, this Chinese war epic showcases the Battle of Red Cliffs (208–209 AD), a naval battle between the allied forces of Sun Quan and Liu Bei (both were southern warlords), and warlord Cao Cao, the last head of the Han dynasty. In fact, this war, which Cao Cao lost, was the first nail in the coffin of his dynasty that ultimately met its demise in 220 AD, after which began the Three Kingdoms period in China. The film’s cast includes Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhang Fengyi, Chang Chen, and Vicki Zhao. You can watch ‘Red Cliff’ here.
4. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Set in 18th century France, ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’ explores the affair between two women, the gentry Héloïse (Adèle Haenel), who is about to be married off, and painter Marianne (Noémie Merlant), who has to make Héloïse’s portrait that will then be sent to her suitor who, if he likes her portrait, shall marry her. Since Héloïse doesn’t want to get married, she is not interested in getting a portrait made. So, it is up to Marianne to spend time with her as her companion so that she can paint her in secret. All the time the two women spend together leads to their affair, which is beautiful and rare, just like the painting. But how does it end? To find out more about this, you can watch this Céline Sciamma directorial here.
3. The Promised Land (2023)
This Danish-German-Swedish co-production is based on the 2020 book ‘The Captain and Ann Barbara’ by Ida Jessen. Set in 18th-century Denmark, the film deals with a conflict of parcel, i.e., a plot of land, the very fabric of civilization as we know it. On the one hand, we have the hateful and merciless magistrate Frederik De Schinkel (Simon Bennebjerg), who wants to monetize the moorland and doesn’t intend to share it with anyone, much less sell it. On the other hand, we have retired German Army officer Ludvig Kahlen (Mads Mikkelsen), who wants to tame the moorland and establish a colony that will gain him a noble title. This difference results in multiple confrontations between the two men, and it is only a matter of time before one of them falls. Can Kahlen take a stand against the powerful Schinkel?
‘The Promised Land’ received high praise from both audiences and critics after its release. It went on to win numerous awards at the European Film Awards and Bodil Film Awards. It also competed for the Golden Lion at the 2023 Venice International Film Festival and was the Danish entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 2024 Academy Awards. You can watch it here.
2. Little Women (2019)
Directed by Greta Gerwig (‘Barbie’ (2023)), his coming-of-age period drama is based on Louisa May Alcott’s immortal 1868 eponymous novel. Set in 19th-century Massachusetts after the Civil War, the film follows the lives and lifestyle of the March sisters, namely Meg (Emma Watson), Jo (Saoirse Ronan), Beth (Eliza Scanlen), and Amy (Florence Pugh). How the ladies navigate their personal lives on their own terms is depicted brilliantly, underscored by issues that the women of the time faced in society. ‘Little Women’ is a true-to-form commentary on the treatment of women by society (basically men) and the unspoken rules imposed on them that were deemed normal or fate. The film was nominated for six Oscars and five BAFTAs and won one in each of the ceremonies. You can watch the film here.
1. Mr. Turner (2014)
This film is based on the life (last 25 years, to be specific) of Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851), aka William Turner, one of the greatest British painters of all time. Played to the T by our beloved Timothy Spall, whom many of us know as Wormtail aka Peter Pettigrew (‘Harry Potter’ films), J. M. W. Turner was a very interesting personality whose traits are depicted brilliantly in the film, including his tastes (especially that of sex), his behavior, his relationships, and his eye for art. The film co-stars Dorothy Atkinson, who plays Turner’s housekeeper, Hannah Danby. We also have Marion Bailey, Paul Jesson, Lesley Manville, and Ruth Sheen. Directed by Mike Leigh, the film received multiple nominations at the Oscars and BAFTA in 2015. It also competed for the Palme d’Or at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.
Some of Tuner’s most famous paintings include ‘The Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805’ (1822), ‘Rain, Steam And Speed’ (1844), ‘Snowstorm, Steamboat Off A Harbour’s Mouth’ (1842), ‘Calais Pier’ (1803) and ‘Helvoetsluys, The City Of Utrecht, 64, Going To Sea’ (1832) that we also see in the film (not the original). You can watch ‘Mr. Turner’ here.
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