18th Century Movie Favs

There are both not enough and too many films set in the 18th century. I say "a few" because I want more and I say "too many" when I find ones I need to see. I know we all have our likes and dislikes, but here are my top three.

The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

What can I say, I'm an upstate New York girl, and both sides of my family have been there from the same time as this movie takes place and where it takes place. It still tickles me whenever they talk about desperately trying to get to Albany. The area has a rich history and it's well portrayed in this interpretation of Cooper's novel. But the big draw would probably have to be Daniel Day Lewis.

Mmmm. Not only do you need your fan handy for this multi-lingual trapper's shirtless scenes, but whose to deny he's one of the best actors. To prepare for the film, he grizzly-adamsed it in the wilderness with no contact to the modern world. To top off the great story, romantic sub plots, gorgeous scenery and cinematography, and amazing acting, the flick has one of the best soundtracks to boot. This is hands down, my favourite.


Amadeus (1984)Perhaps this was the movie that turned me onto this most awesome of centuries. This play turned movie just has all the appealing elements a movie should have: humor, drama, and some fabulous costumes. Isn't that what the 18th century is all about? Mozart was the first rock star so it is only right that there is a movie to document (even if a fictional portrayal) his life. Bonus: Mozart's works are adapted into English so for of us who are uncultured, we can now understand what they're singing. My favorite aspect of the movie would have to be Katerina What a diva. This scene captures it all.




Marie Antoinette (2006)
I know, this movie gets bashed a lot but hear me out. When it first was advertised I was deathly frightened. I never cared for Kirsten Dunst's acting, and it's still sub par in this movie. I really thought it would be a disaster. But when I sat down to watch it, I got the movie. I like Coppola's interpretation of the story and the different view she was going for. It was an aesthetic masterpiece; filmed in Versailles and the Paris Opera House, complete with stunning costumes. It focuses on Marie Antoinette's day to day lifestyle which explains her naivety and ignorance to the world around outside her palace. The soundtrack was also a risk, but it also makes sense in that in connects the 18th century with our very similar time. In fact Coppola relates our centuries together to show that they're not that different...maybe we should take heed to that warning.


So what are your top three? Or top 300? It is so difficult to choose!