Shubhabrata Dutta
Humanity without its history is incomplete. Just like that, films are incomplete without the historical/period genre. Across the decades since films came into being, we have all been subjected to historical/period dramas that take us on an extraordinary journey to a different time, showing how the ways of life were back then. From the macrocosm of huge monuments to the microcosm of human emotions, we understand how we came into being and what we carry within us. On that note, here is the list of period movies available on Peacock.
10. Ephraim’s Rescue (2013)
Directed by T. C. Christensen, this film follows the true stories of the lives of Mormon pioneers Ephraim Hanks and Thomas Dobson, who lived in the 19th century. While Hank started as a soldier, he went on to convert and join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Meanwhile, born and baptized, Thomas Dobson leaves with his family for Utah as a part of the handcart brigade composed of almost 3000 Mormon pioneers from England, Wales, Scandinavia, and Scotland. When the brigade faced trouble, Hanks set off to help them. The film’s cast includes Richard Benedict as old Ephraim Hanks and James Gaisford as Thomas Dobson. You can watch ‘Ephraim’s Rescue’ here.
9. Furious (2017)
Directed by Dzhanik Fayziev, ‘3 Furious’ is based on the Russian legend of Ryazan bogatyr (the Russian equivalent of knight-errant) Evpaty Kolovrat as borrowed from 16th-century literary work “Tale of the Destruction of Ryazan.” The events depicted belong to the 13th century and show how Kolovrat fought with his group of men against the Mongol forces led by Batu Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan. A story of bravery and sacrifice, ‘Furious’ stars Ilya Malakov as Evpaty Kolovrat, along with Polina Chernyshova, Aleksandr Tsoy, Yuliya Khlynina and Aleksandr Ilyin. You can stream the film here.
8. The Swordsman (2021)
This Korean action thriller is set in Korea during the reign of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1897). It revolves around Tae Yool (Jang Hyuk), a highly skilled swordsman past his prime, who picks up his sword one last time after his daughter Tae Ok (Kim Hyun-Soo) is kidnapped by Gurutai (Joe Taslim), a relative of the Qing emperor who has already launched his attack on Joseon. In the middle of a large conflict, Tae Yool has to find his daughter, fight those who stand in his way, and bring her back safely. The catch? He is going blind. A crisp and gripping drama directed by Choi Jaehoon, ‘The Swordsman’ is a satisfying watch that offers an effective rendition of the Joseon era. You can stream it here.
7. The Scarlet and the Black (1983)
A historical war drama directed by Jerry London, this film stars Gregory Peck as real-life Irish Catholic priest Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty of the Vatican in an Allies-occupied Rome during World War II. O’Flaherty was responsible for establishing an underground organization within the church to take care of escaped Allied prisoners of war, Jews, and Roman refugees, and ended up saving an estimated 6,500 souls. How he pulled off this huge feat while facing the danger of death if found out is what we see in the classic. Along with Peck, the cast includes Christopher Plummer, John Gielgud, Raf Vallone, Barbara Bouchet, and Olga Karlatos. The film is based on J. P. Gallagher’s book “The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican” (1067). You can watch ‘The Scarlet and the Black’ here.
6. The Delivered (2019)
Also known as ‘Fanny Lye Deliver’d,’ this Thomas Clay directorial takes place in one location over a handful of days. It is set in Shropshire County, England, in the 2nd half of the 17th century (post the English Civil War) and follows Puritan restraint Fanny Lye (Maxine Peake) and her much-older overly controlling soldier husband John (Charles Dance) and their son Arthur. While Fanny struggles to keep up with her Puritan way of life and an abusive husband, their lives turn upside down when a mysterious young couple, Thomas (Freddie Fox) and Rebecca (Tanya Reynolds), arrives at their doorstep, followed by the Sheriff (Peter McDonald) who is looking for a couple as well. To find out what the secret of the couple is, you can watch ‘The Delivered’ here.
5. War of the Arrows (2011)
Directed by Kim Han-min, ‘War of the Arrows’ is an epic period action drama set during and after the Second Manchu invasion of Korea (Qing invasion of Joseon) in 1636. It follows Nam-yi (Park Hae-il), a highly-skilled archer, as he tries to rescue his sister Ja-in (Moon Chae-won), who is kidnapped by the forces of Qing-Prince Dorgon. Well-regarded for its use of authentic archery techniques of the time and the Manchu language, the film is a visual treat for action lovers, offering effective action sequences underscored by a heart-wrenching story and powerful performances. It was the highest-grossing Korean film of 2011. You can watch it here.
4. The Eight Hundred (2020)
This film depicts the defense of Sihang Warehouse (The Battle of Sihang Warehouse) in Shanghai from October 26 to November 1, 1937, by around 450 Chinese National Revolutionary Army soldiers against the hordes of the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA). The battle was a part of the Battle of Shanghai, which itself was a part of the Second Sino-Japanese War of World War II, fought between China and Japan. A chef’s kiss for any war movie enthusiast, ‘The Eight Hundred’ stars Zheng Kai, Zhang Youhao, Huang Xiaoming, Ethan Juan, Augusta Xu-Holland, and Tang Yixin. You can watch the film here.
3. Downfall (2004)
Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, this movie centers on the downfall of Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich. Hitler’s (Bruno Ganz) descent into paranoia as the truth of a lost war dawns on him, along with how his generals reacted to the whole situation and their Fuhrer’s unhinged nature, have been depicted brilliantly in the film set against the backdrop of the Battle of Berlin in World War II. Alongside Ganz, the cast includes Ulrich Matthes, Thomas Kretschmann, Christian Berkel, and Stefan Mehren. You can watch the film here.
2. Song for a Raggy Boy (2003)
Based on Patrick Galvin’s 1990 prose memoir of the same name, which incorporates his own experiences, ‘Song for a Raggy Boy’ takes place in Ireland in 1939 and is set inside the premises of the St. Judes Reformatory school for boys. The school is run under the leadership of the sadistic Brother John (Iain Glen), who believes in punishment rather than rehabilitation. There is also Brother Mac (Marc Warren), who is a pedophile and takes pleasure in raping the boys. In such a toxic and abusive environment arrives William Franklin (Aidan Quinn), who sees the torture and takes a stand against the brothers, defending and helping the boys come out of their torture-hardened shells. A heartbreaking and powerful period drama, ‘Song for a Raggy Boy’ is directed by Aisling Walsh and is a must-watch. You can do so right here.
1. The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974)
Based on the 1971 novel of the same name by Ernest J. Gaines, ‘The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman’ showcases the struggle of the black community and encompasses the Civil War as well as the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. This is done via an interview wherein we see journalist Quentin Lerner (Michael Murphy) speaking to a black elderly woman named Jane (Cicely Tyson) who has just celebrated her 110th birthday. Jane is a former slave and tells Lerner about the major events of her life, some of which would be forever etched in the pages of American history. Winner of multiple Emmy awards as well as the Directors Guild of America Award, ‘The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman’ is a historically significant film that needs to be watched by everyone. You can watch it here.
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