20 PERIOD DRAMAS ON AMAZON PRIME YOU MAY WANT TO SEE: APRIL 2023

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It’s becoming a kind of annual April tradition to search Amazon (which is a little overwhelming) to find what period dramas (because that’s something we talk about a lot) reside there free with Prime. Since the task is a little overwhelming, we try to make this a bit easier for those of you who love a good period drama same as I do. This is why today we’re looking at some period dramas on Amazon Prime. What you can find there and maybe which ones are the better options.

LIST | ACTORS IN ROLES BEFORE THEY WERE FAMOUS!

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On this list we’re finding some that are obscure and some that are better known. It’s a nice mix of titles and even some are here that perhaps fall a bit into the silly category. Let’s take a look and see what we find currently available on Amazon Prime.

Note: revisit our 2020, 2021 and 2022 (part one)/2022 (part two) lists. We cannot promise all of the titles are still on Prime, but you may still find something fun to watch even if it’s now a rental.

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PERIOD DRAMAS on AMAZON PRIME to SEE

Some of these may no longer by on Amazon Prime, so be sure to check first. If they aren’t on Prime, there will be a cost associated with a purchase or a rental.

There is an updated version of Period Dramas on Amazon Prime September of 2024

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AMERICAN FRIENDS

This is what seems to be an obscure 1990s film about a man on the eve of his new promotion taking a walking tour in Switzerland. While away he meets two interesting American women who could jeopardize his new position. I did watch this, just for the list, and don’t think it’s a fabulous period drama, but it may interest some for the scenery and Trini Alvarado, who plays Meg in the 1994 Little Women. Plus this is inspired by real events.

This film is PG but does contain adult material. The film features a sex scene in the first two minutes (it’s obscure and mostly under covers with implied movement and moaning). There is some innuendo like a man saying he’s found a girl who’s “willing.” Someone has sex, resulting in an unwed pregnancy. A woman curiously watches a man go swimming in the nude, we see him from the back and side.

THE BASKET

Set in the aftermath of World War I, this says it tells the story of a nation reeling and suffering from pain and prejudice.

According to Amazon, the film is PG.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (2014 MINISERIES)

This we’ve had on the list before however despite its obscurity, it’s a decent production that’s more about the realism in the fable Though it is actually a kind of blend of the famous fairytale and Jane Eyre.

There is some content in this one including implications of sex; a man sleeps around, and bets he can bed another. One scene implies thoughts of rape or it appears close to this.

CATHERINE CALLED BIRDY

Based on a novel, this follows a sassy young girl. Resisting her father’s attempts to match her.

PG-13 is the rating, and the content ascribes the following content to its rating; violence, alcohol use, foul language, sexual content.

THE CAT’S MEOW

Set in the 1930s, this one features Edward Herrmann, Kirsten Dunst and Jennifer Tilly.

The film is PG-13.

THE CURRENT WAR

This tells the biographical story between Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla.

This film is PG-13.

DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA

The latest and perhaps last film in the Downton Abbey saga, ‘A New Era’ is a kind of spilt “two part” story. One remains at Downton with Lady Mary and Hollywood guests while her parents, sister and Branson go see a property their grandmother inherited.

Only PG, this one doesn’t abuse its rating though there is some minor implications and flirting between a married couple. There is a minor suggestion a married woman may be tempted by an affair but she sticks to morals.

THE DUCHESS

Kiera Knightley stars in this well-known 2008 dramatized biopic about a woman in an unhappy life who is unable to have one whole heart where half is with love and the other her children. period dramas on amazon prime

PG-13 is this film’s rating. There’s lots of sexual material and implications. Affairs are undertaken and there’s sex scenes.

THE ELECTRICAL LIFE OF LOUIS WAIN

Benedict Cumberbatch stars in this Prime exclusive. I don’t know anything about this other than its a kind of biographical story, but other than this, my knowledge is limited. It follows a painter with a playful eye and says he reimagines how the “public” sees cats. Sounds whimsical indeed.

This film is, according to Prime, PG-13.

A GOOD WOMAN

A young Scarlett Johansson stars in this fun comedy about a woman who is caught up in odd romance shenanigans and is a newlywed, too!

Lots of conversation revolves around affairs; one woman is said to have slept with nearly everyone’s husband and a man attempts to seduce a married woman. Several scenes are sensual. A married couple lie in bed with sheets over them in a post-sex scene; one man wants to stay the night with his companion but she sends him away. [Although married, someone nearly runs off with another.] A Good Woman is PG.

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THE INHERITANCE

Available with Freevee, this is a 90s drama I first saw on TV years ago. Based on a Louisa May Alcott story, this is a lovely and all too underrated period drama about a woman who, after being raised and taken in by family, discovers something that may change her future.

This is a TV-G or TV-PG rating and outside of some unkind behavior and kisses, the film contains nothing questionable.

ITHACA

To be honest, Amazon doesn’t have this one ranked all that high. Nonetheless, I’m including it because it features Meg Ryan and follows a family in the aftermath of the eldest son going off to war in WWII.

This is a PG rated film according to Amazon.

JANE EYRE (1997)

Not my favorite version, but this 1997 adaptation of Jane Eyre features Ciaran Hinds  in the role of Mr. Rochester and Samantha Morton as Jane.

PG-13 is the film’s rating for the usual content. Suggestive content and the emotional fallout of a man being married, and prepared to marry a young woman. Someone is kept locked away.

JANE EYRE (2011)

The latest feature to adapt Charlotte Bronte’s classic, this one has Michael Fassbender in the iconic Mr. Rochester role and perhaps leans more into the “pretty” romance (lighting, atmosphere) than most.

PG-13 is the film’s rating for the usual content. Suggestive content and the emotional fallout of a man being married, and prepared to marry a young woman. Someone is kept locked away.

THE KING’S DAUGHTER

Pierce Bronson stars in this fantasy epic. I know virtually nothing about it beyond this, though Twitter tells me it’s entertaining if not substantive.

THE LIGHTKEEPERS

I think I’ve seen this but cannot remember the particulars. It has Blythe Danner and Mamie Gummer in roles alongside Richard Dreyfuss, a man who cannot deal with women only to have two move into a cottage next door. This one is set in the 1900s.

MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS

A remake of the 80s film with Angela Lansbury, this updated version may not be quite the same nostalgia as it, but this version is still endlessly charming with some truly lovely moments and charm. period dramas on amazon prime

PG-13 is the rating for this but it doesn’t abuse it. There’s some minor suggestive conversation and remarks about finding or needing love.

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (2017)

The latest version of the Agatha Christie story, this is quite the elaborate and lovely adaptation featuring an A+ cast.

PG-13, this one has some “tense” scenes in the buildup to a climax and there is of course the theme of murder.

PRINCESS CARABOO

The fact that I do (or did?) own a VHS copy of this tells you how very long ago it was that I watched Princess Caraboo. My memory of it is that it’s a rather strange little fable about a curious heroine.

The film is PG.

THE SILVER BRUMBY

A young Russell Crowe stars in this film about the “unforgiving wilderness” of the Australian Alps. Beyond this, I know next to nothing about this film.

The film has a G rating though as to its accuracy I cannot personally speak to.

STILL ON PRIME and THRIVING!

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. period dramas on amazon prime

The ABC Murders

The Aeronauts

Beyond the Mask

Cinderella Man

The Conspirator

The Courier

Doctor Thorne

Downton Abbey (Series)

Downton Abbey: A New Era (Film)

Grantchester (Series)

The King’s Speech (leaves Prime in 11 days!!)

The Lady Vanishes

Love & Friendship

The Paradise (Series)

Redeeming Love

Under the Greenwood Tree

Vanity Fair (2018)

The War Bride

We hand it off to you. 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.

Which streamer should we spotlight period dramas from next?

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