Costume Drama



A costume drama is a Period Piece in which elaborate costumes, sets and properties are featured in order to capture the ambiance of a particular era. Most costume dramas are adaptations of classic literature, often romances, but the term can also be used to describe things such as Robin Hood.

Even if the plot is not realistic or is victim to Sadly Mythtaken, if the costumes are lavishly detailed and the designer has Shown Their Work a film can still be a good example of Costume Drama.

Because of its tendency towards spectacle, Costume Drama is the home of Costume Porn, especially the pimped out Gorgeous Period Dress. If the character is of sufficient social status to afford a vast wardrobe (and the budget can accommodate it), the costume designer usually runs with it.

Compare Costume Porn.


 * Ben Hur
 * The Passion of the Christ
 * The Lion in Winter
 * Shakespeare in Love
 * A Frozen Flower
 * The Other Boleyn Girl
 * Pirates of the Caribbean
 * Braveheart
 * Amadeus
 * Most adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, or any Jane Austen work, for that matter.
 * Most adaptations of Anna Karenina
 * Moulin Rouge
 * The Importance of Being Earnest
 * The film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera musical
 * Titanic
 * My Fair Lady
 * Virtually any drama set amongst the upper classes of Victorian England, or pre-revolutionary France.
 * Downton Abbey
 * Garrows Law
 * Call the Midwife