The best costumed films conquer the audience not only with a fascinating plot and impeccable acting, but also with amazing costumes and interiors. As a rule, these are tapes that tell about real or fictional historical events. The most interesting of them are described in this article.
1. "I, Don Giovanni"
The list of the best costumed films always recalls the historical musical drama of Carlos Saura "I, Don Juan", which was released in 2009.
The events of this picture unfold in Venice in 1763. The main character is the writer Lorenzo da Ponte, who leads a dissolute lifestyle. In the past, he was a priest, but because of love scandals he had to leave the country, go to Vienna, where at that time there were more free morals.
In Vienna, with the help of his friend Giacomo Casanova, who becomes his mentor, Lorenzo meets the famous court composer Antonio Salieri, as well as the young Mozart, who only appears at the imperial palace, almost no one knows.
At the same time, Mozart’s popularity is growing very quickly, Salieri is trying in every possible way to stop this, persuading the young composer to take da Ponte as his librettist. So the main character is involved in the confrontation of the two most influential composers of Vienna of that time.
The main roles in one of the best costumed films of 2009 were played by Tobias Moretti, Eulalia Ramon and Sergi Roca.
2. Farinelli Castrato
In 1994, the Italian-French-Belgian drama Gerard Corbio "Farinelli Castrato" was released. This is one of the best historical costumed films, which tells about the legendary opera singer of the XVIII century Carlo Brosky, who performed on stage under the nickname Farinelli, it was under this name that most fans knew him.
As a child, he was castrated by an older brother named Riccardo, who was a composer. He was afraid that Farinelli, when he grows up, will lose his unique voice. The art of this singer conquered Handel, the audience adored him, calling him "divine", and he himself had to endure a real tragedy, because he could not learn happiness with a woman. Over time, his condition only worsened when he learned that the mutilation did not happen as a result of an accident, as he had thought before, but was a conscious act of his brother.
The historical drama contains erotic scenes: the two brothers satisfied women. Carlo brought them to orgasm, and Riccardo "laid the seed." So the singer even had a child, he found his beloved woman when he refused public appearances.
The main roles were played by Stefano Dionisi and Enrico Lo Verso. For the best scenery, the film received the Cesar Award. The picture is traditionally included in the list of best costumed films.
3. "Draftsman's contract"
In 1982, English director Peter Greenaway directed the drama comedy "The Contract of the Draftsman." Events unfold in England in 1694. The young artist Neville concludes a contract with Mrs. Herbert, according to which he undertakes in 12 days to make 12 drawings of real estate owned by a wealthy woman. Finishing work is absolutely necessary before her husband returns, because the contract also includes unusual items, in particular, Mrs. Herbert undertakes to provide the artist with intimate services.
Strange details appear in a series of his drawings, which indicate that a mysterious murder occurred nearby.
The main roles in the film were played by Anthony Higgins and Janet Sazman. The tape is constantly on the list of the best costumed films about love.
4. "Madness of King George"
The drama of Nicholas Heitner "Madness of King George" was released in 1994. This is a British picture, based on the play by Alan Bennett, "Madness of George III." The main roles in it were played by Helen Mirren, Nigel Hawthorne and Ian Holm.
The picture tells about life in Great Britain at the end of the 18th century, the country is going through hard times, the American colonies have recently been lost, and King George III, after a failed assassination attempt, begins to shock everyone around with unexpected and eccentric acts. Everyone suspects that the monarch was clearly set off by reason.
In 1995, it was one of the best costumed films among those that came out on the big screen. The tape received an Oscar for outstanding work by the artist and set, won three awards at the British Academy, including for the best makeup and hairstyles.
5. "The Immortal Beloved"
The drama of Bernard Rose "The Immortal Beloved" is a high-quality historical costume film. The list of the best films of 1994 is not complete without this tape.
This is a love story that was in the life of the great composer Ludwig van Beethoven. The tape begins with the fact that in 1827, after the death of a genius, a letter is found in his papers in which he bequeaths all his fortune to a lover, whose name is not indicated.
His secretary and faithful friend Anton Schindler begins the search for the mysterious addressee of this message. "Immortal Beloved" becomes the starting point in the journey of the protagonist in the biography of the great composer. Schindler goes to communicate with all Beethoven's friends and acquaintances in the hope of finding out the name of the woman to whom the composer had a secret passion.
The role of Beethoven in this film was played by the legendary Gary Oldman, Schindler was played by Jeroen Krabbe.
6. Leopard
The drama by Luchino Visconti "Leopard" was released in 1963. Bert Lancaster plays Prince Don Fabrizio Salina - the head of a well-known and wealthy family, one of the last representatives of the true Italian aristocracy, who has to face reality quickly changing around.
His world of aristocracy, in which the leopards ruled, is a thing of the past, replaced by clever bourgeois businessmen, whom Salina calls the jackals. A prominent representative of this new generation of Italians is the new mayor, Don Calogero, played by Paolo Stopp.
In addition to internal rethinking of the life of an elderly aristocrat, Visconti explores the fate of his young and energetic nephew named Tancredi. The prince is convinced that he will have a great future and rapid career growth in public service, but instead of connecting his life with the prince’s sophisticated daughter, Tancredi marries the vulgar daughter of a local nouveau riche named Angelika, played by Claudia Cardinale. Salina is finally disappointed in the world around him.
7. "Game of Thrones"
The list of the best costumed films and TV shows includes the multi-part film "Game of Thrones" based on the novels of George Martin.
Michelle Clapton, the costume designer for this series, has been receiving rave reviews about his work for years. Dresses, armor, fur coats, camisoles - all this in the film is a huge amount, and everything is carefully thought out and executed.
The events of the film unfold in a fictional world similar to the Middle Ages. Only along with kings and princes are dragons and the mysterious Wild Behind the Wall.
"Game of Thrones" is not the first year recognized as the best series of the year on the planet, most importantly, if you have not had time to touch this masterpiece, you can do it until the last season is released, the new series of which you can then watch simultaneously with the whole world .
At the center of the story is the fate of the Seven Kingdoms, each of which is fighting for primacy in this world. Costumes of rulers and nobles deserve special attention in this series.
8. The Forsyte Saga
Many amazing and beautiful historical paintings are produced by the Air Force. The best costume movie of her production is the series The Forsyte Saga.
This is an adaptation of John Galsworthy's classic novel. In ten episodes, the directors managed to fit the half-century history of a wealthy British family.
Fans of costume adaptations will highly appreciate this work, the appearance of the heroes has been restored with scrupulous accuracy, down to all the details. Bright scenery and delightful interiors make this series one of the most successful historical and literary projects of the BBC television channel. The main roles in this series were performed by Damien Lewis and Gina McKee.