Historically accurate dramas

[XelaM]

The discussion about historical inaccuracies in the new drama King & Conqueror have got me thinking (and longing) for dramas that actually try to accurately depict historical events, try to stay true to costumes and customs of the time. Can anyone recommend any?

The only ones I can think of off the top of my head are "The Last Tsars", which was part drama and part documentary, but surprisingly very historically accurate about the last Russian Tsar Nikolai II.

The other one is more light hearted but very beautifully done and definitely tried to stay true to costumes and customs of the time - "Sissi" (the whole trilogy). Even the age of the actors was close to the people they portrayed whereas you usually get middle aged actors portraying 16-years-olds.

Unfortunately, more often than not, "historical" dramas are like the likes of "Reign" where the screenplay, costumes and music are as far removed from true events as to render it a complete joke (although an enjoyable guilty pleasure kind 🤣).

Can anyone recommend any good historical dramas where the creators actually cared about depicting real historical events?

Another recent (alleged) historical drama that I watched, which was a complete abomination was "Napoleon". From getting an actor who looks to be in his 50's to play young Napoleon, to making Josephine into some kind of whore that he met in a brothel... I was completely speechless 🤦‍♀️

Wolfhall

Thank you! I was meaning to watch it

It's very very good. I've watched it a few times,granted I am a self proclaimed Tudorphile!

I have no idea how accurate it is - it is based on a series of novels and the main character is entirely fictitious, but I really enjoyed The Last Kingdom. I went up to Bamburgh Castle recently and they have a small exhibition of the costumes and props atm.

Another suggestion is The Gilded Age. I think some creative liberties are taken, but overall it's a good representation of that time period.

I enjoyed the Hollow Crown (it is Shakespeare though, but very well done) and the White Queen, accuracy may be up for grabs on that one but it felt right.

When the Boat Comes In.

I actually thought of another one:

Jackie, Ethel, Joan: The Women of Camelot - a mini-series about the Kennedies. They tried to stay true to facts and with the exception of the diabolically acted Marilyn Monroe (who thankfully only appears in 2-3 scenes) all the actors were well cast. Special mention to the dashing Robert Knepper as Bobby Kennedy (completely unrecognisable from his Prison Break T-Bag role 😂)

I can't believe I forgot A Man for all Seasons

Chernobyl. There's a really good accompanying podcast that details how much work they put in to making it accurate, as well as where and why they took artistic licence.

I don't think anything Julian Fellowes does is historically accurate! People are far too nice to their servants for a start!

Second Wolf Hall

That is a very fair point 😂. Entertaining none the less x

Well - the clue’s in the name - they’re fictional creations. So it sounds like you want a documentary if you’re after 100% accuracy. But that’s not what a drama is trying to convey.

The adaptation of Persuasion starring Amanda Root was pleasingly historically accurate, I thought.

@MummytoEI was surprised when I looked it up - I thought surely those fabric patterns were not current to the era, but apparently they are largely.
OP Mr Selfridge has fabulous outfits, some if which were vintage. It’s a beautiful study of that time.

For me, the problem with anachronistic things in drama is that it takes you out of the drama if you notice them. And no documentary is 100% accurate either which is another issue.

It’s interesting how he changed the treatment of servants from Gosford Park (where they were treated pretty badly) to Downton Abbey.

Not at all. I am after historical dramas that actually try to be based on actual research of the true events involved and capture the period and characters they portray rather than making up nonsense, disregarding customs and costumes of the time and trying to sell it as "based on historical events".

I do love watching a historical drama then when it's done going on the internet and investigating what's real and what's not. Fell down many a rabbit hole!

Is MindHunter too recent? It’s set in 70s and 80s and some of the 70s interiors are fab. It’s based on things that really happened.

I watch J Draper on YouTube. She does lots of things looking at architecture / fashion / you name it.

She did a review of The Muppet Christmas Carol which, according to her is accurate on the clothing and a few other things.

If the Muppets can get it right then there is no excuse for the likes of the BBC.

Zips in costumes annoy me. I understand that they are costumes and actors probably can't spend the time being dressed as they would have been in many ages but zips are a give away and could easily be hidden.

The TV series Colditz is superb and 100% accurate as they had men who'd been there advising on set.

I Claudius is magnificent as well, and a pretty accurate depiction of life in Ancient Rome.

Gosford Park is a fabulous one.

I love the 2002 Forsyte Saga and North and South from the same era.

I suspect Gosford Park is more accurate and he had to soften things for the telly audience.