1. The Virgin Queen (2005)
Mini-series
If you love British history, especially the lives of their monarchs, then look no further (So fans of Victoria and The Crown, pay attention!). The Virgin Queen chronicles the life of Elizabeth Tudor from her time just before inheriting the throne of England through her turbulent and prosperous reign as Queen Elizabeth I. Full of intrigue, war, heartbreak, court politics, stunning costumes, and beautiful music, The Virgin Queen shows the portrait of a royal as fiery as her famous hair. Definitely not one to miss! Oh, and did I mention that Tom Hardy (Mad Max: Fury Road) and Kevin McKidd (Grey's Anatomy) are in this?
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| imdb.com Anne-Marie Duff as Elizabeth I |
2. The Pillars of the Earth (2011)
Mini-series
Based on the bestselling novel by Ken Follett, The Pillars of the Earth is the struggle over power, pride, desire, and the English throne. Set in 12th century England primarily in the fictional town of Kingsbridge, the series opens with the death of the king's heir, throwing the country into turmoil. Following the fight for succession, while also focusing on the building of a great cathedral, royals and priors alike hunger for power. Love is thwarted, cities are ransacked, and secrets threaten to destroy it all. Taking place over several decades, this epic tale has something for everyone. If that alone is not enough, a stunning cast including Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl), Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter), Rufus Sewell (Victoria), Matthew McFadyen (Pride and Prejudice), and even Sam Clafin (Me Before You) makes this adaptation shine.
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| cbc.ca Pillars of the Earth Main Cast |
3. North & South (2004)
Mini-series
Ah, the mini-series of all mini-series. Probably my most recommended series of all time, North & South is perfect for fans of Pride and Prejudice. Based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, this masterpiece is essentially a cross between Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. When the Rev. Hale announces suddenly to his wife and daughter that they are leaving their southern parish in Helstone and moving to the northern industrial city of Milton, they assume he has had a crisis of faith. But no matter how hard they try, they can't seem to adjust to the lifestyle of a town that appears to care only for the prosperity of its cotton mills. When one such mill owner, Mr. Thornton, becomes Rev. Hale's pupil, and Rev. Hale's daughter befriends the mill workers, will those from the North and those from the South finally learn to understand each others' ways? |
| bbc.co.uk Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe |
4. Bright Star (2009)
Movie
Detailing the relationship between poet John Keats and Fanny Brawne, Bright Star gives the inspiration for some of the greatest romantic poetry of all time. As a struggling poet, John Keats has no money to his name, and little critical acclaim. Fanny Brawne, interested in fashion, books, and dress-making, could hardly be more different. Yet, the story of Keats and Brawne falling in love seems to be the natural thing of all in this lovely picture of their time together. Although simple in some ways, this movie is perfect for fans of poetry and the works of Keats, and not too poetical for those who haven't developed a taste for it yet. Bright Star will have you experiencing their love story through the trials of poor prospects, the stunning scenery, and the immortal words of John Keats.
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| rogerebert.com Abbie Cornish as Fanny Brawne |
5. The Thorn Birds (1983)
Mini-series
Ah, an oldie, but a goody. One of the first mini-series that I watched, The Thorn Birds is based on the 1977 novel by Colleen McCullough. If you love stories spanning generations on the life of a family, then this one should definitely be near the top of your list. Meggie Cleary, the forgotten only daughter of an Irish sheep farmer, has only two allies in her life - her eldest brother Frank, and exiled priest Ralph de Bricassart. As Meggie grows into a woman, her close bond with Ralph comes under suspicion, and raises the jealousy of Meggie's rich aunt Mary. But when Mary enacts her revenge upon the two, giving Ralph the chance to be all that he had aspired to, will his ambition be the thing that brings him peace, or suffering? Following predominantly the lives of Ralph, Meggie, and finally her children, this is a story of ambition, denial, torment, and most of all, a love that lasts a lifetime.
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| imdb.com Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward |
6. Lost in Austen (2008)
Mini-series
When die-hard Pride & Prejudice fan Amanda encounters Elizabeth Bennet in her bathroom, well, as you can imagine, she thinks her imagination has run wild. But when she comes back for a second time and shows Amanda that there is a door between their worlds located in her apartment...err...what? Both desiring to get away from their current lives, the girls swap places. Amanda is now transported into the world of Pride & Prejudice, and she is delightfully unprepared. From her clothes, to her manners, to her red hair, she sticks out like a sore thumb. But when the story starts to unfold quite differently than the one that Amanda has read, will her meddling get the story back on track, or move it further from the pages of her beloved novel? Humorous, sweet, and dramatic, with the wit and social commentary we know and love from Jane Austen, this endearing new take on our favourite story shouldn't be missed. This wonderful cast includes Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Alex Kingston (Doctor Who), Lindsay Duncan (Sherlock) and more.
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| hughbonneville.uk Jemima Rooper and Cast |
7. War & Peace (2016)
Mini-series
Let me start this off by saying that I have not read the source material, Tolstoy's novel of the same name, so my opinions are entirely based on its own merit, and not as a comparison. Taking place in Russia during the Napoleonic wars, War & Peace centers predominantly around the lives of the Bezukhov, Bolkonsky, and Rostov families. Illegitimate son of a count, Pierre Bezukhov inherits his father's money and estate, making him instantly an eligible bachelor. Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, Pierre's best friend, is unhappy in his marriage and goes to war leaving his pregnant wife at home. Natasha Rostova (the lovely Lily James of Downton Abbey and Cinderella), a friend to Pierre as well, lives in a close-knit family, and is spirited, happy, and full of life. But war brings changes, desperation, and love in the most unexpected of places. This beautifully moving rendition will make the epic novel a lot more enticing.
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| bbc.co.uk Pierre (Paul Dano), Natasha (Lily James), and Prince Andrei (James Norton) |
8. Tess of the D'Urbervilles (2008)
Mini-series
This mini-series is adapted from the masterpiece of the same name by Thomas Hardy, and is one of my favourite (although most depressing) books. Teresa (Tess) Durbeyfield is a simple village girl born to good for nothing parents. After the parson remarks to her father that they are related to the ancient family of Sir Pagan D'Urberville, Mr. Durbeyfield and his wife become obsessed with rubbing elbows with their mansion-living relatives. Although Tess refuses to go and meet her rich relations, when an accident occurs and the family is without a source of income, she is left with little choice. Innocent Tess, not schooled in the ways of the world, soon learns the harsh ways of others, and is forever changed. But trying to pick her life back up is harder than she might think. Met with hardship after hardship, Tess's strength is one to be admired - even as your heart breaks for her. Starring Gemma Arterton (Lost in Austen), Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl, Pillars of the Earth), and Hans Matheson (The Tudors, The Virgin Queen), this story about a woman wronged will make you smile, cry, and reassess your moral compass.
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| bbc.co.uk Gemma Arterton as Tess Durbeyfield |
9. Jamaica Inn (2014)
Mini-Series
After Mary Yellan is left orphaned, she makes the trip to Cornwall to seek shelter with an aunt she has met only once. Arriving at their home Jamaica Inn, Mary is suspicious of why the inn has no customers renting rooms, and the bar is only filled at night. As she slowly unravels the unsavory dealings of her uncle, and how tightly her aunt is wrapped around his thumb, Mary must keep her wits about her at all times. But who can she trust, when everywhere Mary turns seems to be corrupted, and many are aware of the trade of Jamaica Inn? Will any of her innocence remain if she is able to break free? Perfect for fans of gothic literature, especially such as Wuthering Heights, this is a rather short mini-series in length, but is full of intrigue and darkness. Although there is a cast of recognizable faces such as Jessica Brown-Findlay (Downton Abbey), Matthew McNulty (Lark Rise to Candleford), and Joanne Whalley (Wolf Hall), you won't see any of their past characters in this - there is no room for it in the darkness of Jamaica Inn. This mini-series is a bit rough around the edges (occasional mumbling, a few continuity errors), but if you can get past those things, it really is a great one.
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| bbc.co.uk Matthew McNulty and Jessica Brown-Findlay |
10. Klondike (2014)
Mini-Series
Taking place during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush, best friends Bill Haskell and Byron Epstein decide to make the trek to the Yukon to seek their fortunes. When they make it to Dawson City, they are met by much more than just the prosperity they expected. Instead, it's full of territorial men, desperate to strike it rich and willing to do whatever it takes to make a dollar, bedazzled women looking for the richest customers, and business men and women who resort to the dirtiest of tricks to own the city's wallets. Featuring Richard Madden (Game of Thrones) and Abbie Cornish (Bright Star), this mini-series delves deep into the greed and desires of those who dared the harrowing hunt for Klondike gold.
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| discovery.com Richard Madden as Bill Haskell |
I loved Bright Star and I think I'm going to have to try out Klondike! :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Klondike much more than I expected I would. Have you seen Jamaica Inn before? It's based on the book by Daphne Du Maurier, so as a fan of Rebecca, you might enjoy it as well.
ReplyDelete