Overview of Hollywood Period Films

Historical period films are those that are set in thecategories and won for best picture and best
background of a historical period with somedirector. It also won 11 other Academy Awards.
exceptions. There are certain standards that haveApart from these, the film won many other
to be maintained to classify a film as a historicalawards.
period film. All things including the sets, props,"Elizabeth" 1998: Directed By Shekher Kapur, the
costumes, styling, and characters will have tofilm received huge critical acclamation. It starred
symbolize the time and background of the event.Cate Blanchett as Queen Elizabeth I of England.
Producing Hollywood period films is alwaysThe film won an academy award. It received 7
considered a very expensive task. The reason forOscar nominations, but won only for best make
this is that you need to prepare huge grand setsup. Apart from these, the film won many other
and design costumes that reflect the style of theawards.
era in which the film is based."The Patriot" 2000: Starring Mel Gibson and
Many film critics say that whenever Hollywooddirected by Roland Emmerich, the film was a hit.
scriptwriters lack scripts, they go for a period film.Though the film obtained some controversies, it
But, since most of the period films are a bigstill managed to get critical acclamation.
success, who minds?"Gladiator" 2000: Starring Russell Crowe and
Filmmakers believe that making period films is adirected by Ridley Scott, the film was the biggest
critical job, since most of the contemporaryblockbuster of the year. It made a worldwide box
actors know very little of the time Hollywoodoffice gross of 457,640,427 US Dollars,. The film
period films are based. They have to go throughwon 5 Academy awards including the Academy
extensive research to get a feel of theAward for Best Picture.
characters from epics. Imagining their mannerism"Chicago" 2002: Starring Richard Gere, Catherine
and state of mind and to portray it on screen is aZeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger, is an Academy
tough task for both the actors and directors.award winning musical film. It won 6 Academy
Some of the recent favorite Hollywood PeriodAwards and 3 Golden Globe awards.
Films are as follows:"Troy" 2004: Starring Brad Pitt, Eric Bana and
"Braveheart" 1995: Starred, Directed andOrlando Bloom, is an Oscar nominated film. The
Produced by Mel Gibson, the film was a hugefilm was a big worldwide hit commercially and was
success critically as well as commercially. It woncritically acclaimed.
the 1995 Academy Award for best picture, best"The Passion of the Christ" 2004: Directed by Mel
director, best cinematographer, best makeup andGibson, the film earned worldwide gross of
best sound editing. Braveheart is one of the610,000,000 US Dollars. Though pre-release the
largest grossing films worldwide.film was surrounded by controversies but later
"Titanic" 1997: Directed by James Cameron,the film was a big success.
starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet was"Kingdom of heaven" 2005: Directed by Ridley
the biggest hit of the year 1997 and holds aScott and starring Orlando Bloom, Eva Green was
record of highest grossing film of all time,a success. It won many International Film Awards
worldwide. The film was nominated in 14 Oscarand particularly a hit with the youth.