SOME OF THE BEST PERIOD DRAMA TITLES ON AMAZON PRIME: JULY 2022

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If you’re like me and love a good drama set in eras past, then you also love finding them available on the streaming services you already pay for. Typically an annual tradition that doesn’t extend beyond a second posting, we’re looking at period drama on Amazon Prime. This may be breaking some unwritten rule, but sometimes one just has to do this.

LIST | A SHORT & FUN SUMMER MOVIES LIST YOU MAY WANT TO SEE

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Taking a deeper dive into the titles on Prime (or with Freevee, which is Prime’s free add supported streamer) can be rather a challenge. This because while I do like to include tittles that I haven’t see or didn’t love as much (because variety), there’s also some I have ZERO interest in covering so I consistently skip them. For example, some of these would include foreign language period drama which I know has really gathered steam for many. Much as I’d likely enjoy the story line of many of them, I just cannot manage to enjoy it when I also must “hear” what the conversation is by reading the text. It just doesn’t work. However, there is plenty of that to find if you’re interested. If you like English language productions, we’re going to take a look and see what we can discover.

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PERIOD DRAMA ON AMAZON PRIME

check before watching if these are still on Amazon Prime; some may be, and some won’t. we also have an updated list of Period Dramas on Amazon Prime September 2024

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THE AERONAUTS

An Amazon original this one features Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne in a sort of biographical story of a balloonist. The film isn’t really a romance and is heavy on the adventure aspects so if that’s your cup of tea, you may find this an enjoyable film.

PG-13 is the rating, mainly for tense situations

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (1975)

I only watch the adaptation of this Dumas novel from the 2000s. But this version, featuring Richard Chamberlain, may be to the liking of some viewers more. The plot follows a man falsely imprisoned by his best friend and the years it takes him to break free, reinvent himself and take revenge on those who wrong him.

The rating on this is PG-13; content unknown

DOCTOR THORNE

This one I featured on another Prime list, but I had to again. It’s Julian Fellowes first post Downton Abbey adaptation, and honestly, it’s quite adorable. Not the same kind of interest as his well-known work perhaps, but it’s more of a return to the charming and sweet period drama which I adore.

The rating on this is PG-13, but I’d say it’s closer to PG with little content to note.

DR. QUINN MEDICINE WOMAN

If you watched this growing up or enjoy more western set dramas, you may enjoy knowing Dr. Quinn is on Prime. I think I’ve seen SOME Of the episodes, but never the full series. Jane Seymour stars in the titular role about a woman travestying the perils of the prairie life.

The rating is TV-PG; content unknown.

THE FORSYTE SAGA, SEASON ONE

Note: this is only with Prime until July 31!

Watched three episodes of this, after YEARS of never seeing it, and it’s… fine. Nothing really special but also interesting enough I may go in and finish. The camera work is odd, but the idea of following a family through generations is interesting. Episode one introduces us to two men. Jolyn who is married with a daughter and Soames, working with his father at their firm who is, contrary to family urging, unmarried. When Jo leaves his wife and child to live with his governess, the family disowns him, all while years later, Soames meets the woman he believes he’s meant to be with, much to the disappointment of the lady.

The rating is TV-PG; but I’d say it’s very adult. There’s multiple scenes across the full eight episodes of couples in bed (some more suggestive than others), a man takes advantage in a violent way of his wife; there’s a death that’s possible troubling (someone is trampled).

THE FOUR FEATHERS (2002)

Saw this one YEARS (and years) ago and really loved it. Heath Ledger stars as a man given a feather when he expresses an inability to lead his regiment in battle. This comes not just from friends, but also the love of his life which sends him on a quest.

The rating is PG-13 for tense scenes of action adventure, and war violence. There may also be some standard profanity.

A GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST (1990)

Annette O’Toole features in this drama set in 1908 about a girl hoping to attend high school only for her mother to crush her dreams and require her to work their family farm.

This film is rated PG-13

MERCY STREET, SERIES ONE

This PBS drama is set during the 1800s as the Civil War rages. It’s actually a pretty good drama that I think the network and creators hoped could step in the place of the void left by Downton Abbey. Unfair since this is nothing like the 1900s period drama, but still, we get some solid romantic moments.

This is TV-14; there’s aftermath war violence with various injuries, some minor sexual content as well

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MISS POTTER

Extremely bittersweet, this is a biographical story about Beatrix Potter featuring Renee Zellweger. Not for everyone since it’s not a happy sort of title, but if you like bio films or just stories about people from the world of literature, you may find Miss Potter good. period drama on amazon prime

The film is PG, mostly it’s an adult film because of the adult content.

NICHOLAS NICKLEBY

Another one that’s been years since I’ve see it. Anne Hathaway is a minor role in this feature film, sort of in the stylings of Miramax’s Emma (and from that same studio), based on the Charles Dickens novel.

The film is PG, mainly for its dark themes, ill treatment of children and the themes of death.

PEARL HARBOR

I haven’t seen this, but it features an impressive list of period drama vets including Kate Beckinsale. The film follows a group of characters during WWII and the many tragedies they encounter while trying to survive in the aftermath of America’s entrance into the war.

The film is PG-13; content unknown.

THE PRISONER IN ZENDA

No idea is this is good or not. It has barely any reviews, and is from the 80s. BBC produced it, but honestly with exception to perhaps Jane Eyre, I’m not a fan of this era of period drama. Let me know if you’ve seen this and if it’s worth the watch. This follows an English man posing as a monarch.

The film is PG-13; content unknown

REDEEMING LOVE

This film caused quite a ruckus in the world of Christian readers and bookstagram. Honestly, I wasn’t impressed that some said the author, of the novel this film is based on, isn’t a Christian simply because she wrote this. I think this novel, which she wrote after becoming a Christian, was probably a very helpful thing for her, and many reviewers find the book impacting too. The story follows a man who ends up marrying a prostitute and from this a kind of redemption story results.

The film is PG-13; content unknown but given the plot, I’d image there is some abuse, and sexual content.

SAVANNAH

This one I saw years ago and honestly, do not remember it much at all. It’s set in the South post the Civil War and I think has very strong Southern themes and manners as a result. It also has a pretty well known cast in Jim Caviezel, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Jaimie Alexander. period drama on amazon prime

The film is PG-13

WAR AND PEACE (2016)

Saw this one back when it made it’s premiere on Lifetime and surprisingly, I did really like the miniseries. It’s an adult story and often dark, but it has this unique ability to use both light (early on) and shadows (latter half) so to be balanced. The film also features quite the cast with James Norton, Lily James and many others.

The series is TV-14 or TV-MA; there’s sexual content including one pretty descriptive sex scene, barely avoided nudity, themes and implications of incest.

WOMAN IN GOLD

A WWII period film (at least in part) with Ryan Reynolds and Helen Mirren, this is one I saw years ago. It’s based on an inspirational true story of a woman who tries to regain the family possessions the Nazi’s stole.

The film is PG-13.

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STILL ON PRIME

Some of these are titles I included on prior lists from 2020, 21 or 22, but they are still thriving on Prime! Below we’ve tried to gather titles from our former lists, and update whether they’re still on Prime. You can click any (affiliate links) to find their watch page on Prime or Freevee.

The ABC Murders

Beauty and the Beast (2014)

Beyond the Mask

The Courier

Downton Abbey, Series One – Six

The Durrells (PBS / Masterpiece)

Emma. (2020)

A Good Woman

Howards End (2018)

I Capture the Castle

The Illusionist

Ivanhoe (1997)

The Lady Vanishes

Little Women (PBS / Masterpiece)

Love & Friendship

Merlin (BBC series)

Mr. Selfridge

The Mystery of a Hansom Cab

Ordeal by Innocence

The Paradise, Series One – Two

Poldark, Series One – Five

The Railway Children (PBS)

A Royal Night Out

Under the Greenwood Tree

Vanity Fair (2018)

Victoria (ITV)

The War Bride

The White Countess

The Winslow Boy

Your turn. Which of these have you seen? Which do you recommend? Or which titles would you leave off? Are any on your watchlist? What period drama list from which streamer do you want to see next?? Comment all the comments below. Let’s chat.

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