Victorian Thrillers

vintage68 · Oct 29, 2009

I'd like to get recommendations for modern films set in Victorian times, one of my favorite eras. I don't require high art, just great visuals and atmosphere.

Currently I own The Illusionist, From Hell with Johnny Depp, and the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

dhermann1 · Oct 29, 2009

There are 2 versions of "Gaslight", a 1940 British version, and a 1944 American one, with Charles, Boyer, Ingrid Bergman and Angela Lansbury. I've only seen the American one, but comments on IMDB make sound like the British one is even better.
"The 7 Percent Solution", from 1976, is a "non canonical" (meaning not by Arthur Conan Doyle) Holmes story, and much fun.
"Around the World in 80 Days", 1958, with David Niven and just about every other star in Hollywood at the time, is terrific.
There is a 1936 version and a very different 1968 version of "The Charge of the Light Brigade", both very worthwhile.
If you like Victorian war movies the "Zulu" is great. Very gruesome, but that's the point of it.
"The Wrong Box", 1966, is a hilarious comedy.
When you say "modern films" do you mean flicks made after say 1965? Or just modern meaning not from 100 years ago? Lots and lots of films were made about Victorian times in the 1930's and 40's.
A few more:
"The Late George Appley" 1947
"The Importance of Being Earnest", the best version of this by far is the 1952 version with Edith Evans and Michael Redgrave.
"Meet Me in St Louis", 1944, terrific musical with Judy Garland (OK, it takes place in 1904, 2 years after Victoria died).
Oh, there are many many others.

Naphtali · Oct 29, 2009

"The Lodger" (1944) Merle Oberon, Laird Cregar - is an interesting thriller of Jack the Ripper.

"The Verdict" (1946) Sidney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre - is one of Don Siegel's first directorial efforts, and a good one.

JennyLou · Oct 30, 2009

"The Spiral Staircase" from 1945 is good.

Novella · Oct 30, 2009

BBC does some great Victorian drama if you're looking for atmosphere and great visuals. The Forsyte Saga, Daniel Deronda, and The Way We Live Now are all top notch productions. For the earlier Victorian period North & South is hard to beat. Though, for something closer to the films you've listed, The Four Feathers (version with Heath Ledger) is really an unsung gem. Lots of action, scenic visuals, really an entertaining and well put together movie.

Widebrim · Oct 30, 2009

dhermann1 said:
"Meet Me in St Louis", 1944, terrific musical with Judy Garland (OK, it takes place in 1904, 2 years after Victoria died).

Well, technically, Queen Victoria died 3 years earlier...

Bugsy · Oct 30, 2009

vintage68 said:
I'd like to get recommendations for modern films set in Victorian times, one of my favorite eras. I don't require high art, just great visuals and atmosphere.

Currently I own The Illusionist, From Hell with Johnny Depp, and the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

How about "Gaslight"?

AmateisGal · Oct 30, 2009

There's a brand new movie coming out this winter called The Young Victoria. Looks spectacular.

Medvssa · Oct 30, 2009

vintage68 said:
modern films set in Victorian times

Modern? Some of these may be questionable when it comes to costume accuracy, plot etc, but they are still cool to look at

The Age of Innocence, The Portrait of a Lady, Far and Away, The Prestige, As you like it, Phantom of the Opera, Dracula (Coppola's), An ideal husband, Anna and the King, Deadwood (series), Anna Karenina, Gangs of New York, The Piano, Love in the Time of Cholera...

And... Gone with the Wind?

vintage68 · Oct 30, 2009

AmateisGal said:
There's a brand new movie coming out this winter called The Young Victoria. Looks spectacular.

You're right, that does look spectacular. I had heard about the film, but hadn't seen the preview until you provided the link. I think that one and the new Sherlock Holmes film are the ones I'm most excited about.

I'm in the mood for period pieces made in the last few years, as opposed to the films from the 1940's.

Tomorrow night (Halloween) I plan to watch From Hell with Johnny Depp *grabs popcorn*

David V · Oct 30, 2009

"The Great Train Robbery"(1979) Sean Connery, Lesley-Anne Downs and Donald Sutherland.

Bombshell Becca · Oct 30, 2009

I second The Forsyte Saga. I got the whole series from Netflix and was enthralled! It starts in the late 1800's and goes to the 1920's I think.

If you are just looking for good imagery and don't mind it a little more on the fantasy side I am surprised you didn't mention Sweeney Todd. I found it just okay, although some of the costumes are quite nice.
Or Sleepy Hollow or Interview With a Vampire have great costumes for that matter.

vintage68 · Oct 31, 2009

I hadn't heard about The Forsyth Saga, I'll check it out.

I'm not a big fan of Tim Burton, I find his work to be a little too "precious." Thanks though for the recommendations, I'll check them out for the costumes if nothing else.

Berlin · Nov 5, 2009

Bombshell Becca said:
I second The Forsyte Saga. I got the whole series from Netflix and was enthralled! It starts in the late 1800's and goes to the 1920's I think.

Ohh I loved the Forsythe Saga!
I loved the actors,clothes, storyline and entourage. Simply everything

Vintage68; Try Great Expectations (The modern one from BBC) & The way we live now

vintage68 · Nov 6, 2009

Thanks Berlin, I'll check those out as well. Love your pic!

AmateisGal · Nov 6, 2009

vintage68 said:
You're right, that does look spectacular. I had heard about the film, but hadn't seen the preview until you provided the link. I think that one and the new Sherlock Holmes film are the ones I'm most excited about.

I am really looking forward to both of these movies, as well. The Sherlock Holmes one looks fantastic!

Haversack · Nov 6, 2009

The Ealing Studio's black comedy, _Kind Hearts and Coronets_. (although it is not modern.)

Then there is _Mrs. Brown_ with Judi Dench in the title role...

Haversack.

astrang1 · Nov 7, 2009

Hello,
I would recommend 'The First Great Train Robbery' with Sean Connery and Donald Sutherland made in the mid 70s....a good romp.
You should also check out 'The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, an interesting take on the great detective.
Best Wishes,
Al

vintage68 · Nov 14, 2009

By the way, so far I've found a few I really liked/remembered:

The Illusionist

The Prestige

Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan (Found out through our family genealogy recently that I'm related to the Greystoke family which is pretty cool...)

From Hell with Johnny Depp

Mountains of the Moon: About the life of Sir Richard Burton, one of my heroes.

Keep 'em coming!

Brummagem Joe · Nov 14, 2009

Best film sources for Victorian/Edwardian dress

Not thrillers but fantastic sources. Gigi, The Doctors Dilemma and the Prince and the Showgirl all designed by Cecil Beaton I believe. Moving into Victorian thrillers you have Sherlock Holmes, you could also check out a a couple of the movies about Colonel Redl the Austrian intelligence chief who was a Russian spy. When caught he did the decent thing. I think there's a film version of John Osborne's A Patriot for me and Claus Maria Brandauer made a very good German movie on the subject whose title I can't remember. Then of course there's Kind Hearts and Coronets.....eight murders enough for you?

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