| Period films are those which are set in the | | | | and won the best picture and best director |
| background of historical period with some | | | | awards. It also won 11 Academy Awards and |
| exceptions. There are certain standards that have | | | | many other awards. Elizabeth (1998), directed by |
| to be maintained to classify a film as a period film. | | | | Shekher Kapur, received huge critical acclaim. It |
| All the things including the sets, props, costumes, | | | | starred Cate Blanchett as Queen Elizabeth I of |
| style, and characters will have to symbolize the | | | | England. The film won the Academy Award. It got |
| time and background of the event. | | | | Oscar nomination for 7 categories but it won only |
| Producing Hollywood period films is always | | | | one for best make up. Apart from these, the film |
| considered as a very expensive task; for this | | | | won many other awards. |
| requires huge grand sets and design costumes | | | | The Patriot (2000), starring Mel Gibson and |
| that reflect the style of the era in which the | | | | directed by Roland Emmerich, was an instant hit. |
| story takes place. | | | | Though the film was associated with some |
| Many film critics have said that whenever | | | | controversies, it still managed to get critical |
| Hollywood scriptwriters lack scripts, they go for a | | | | acclaim as well as popularity. |
| period film. But since most of the period films are | | | | Gladiator (2000), starring Russell Crowe and |
| big successes, who minds? Filmmakers believe | | | | directed by Ridley Scott, was the biggest |
| that making a period film is a very tough job, | | | | blockbuster of the year. It made a worldwide box |
| since most of the contemporary actors know | | | | office gross of $457, 640, 427. The film won 5 |
| very little about the attributes of characters from | | | | Academy Awards including the Academic Award |
| the past or from the epics. It is very difficult to | | | | for Best Picture. Chicago (2002), starring Richard |
| imagine their mannerisms and states of mind and | | | | Gere, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger, |
| finally to portray them. It is a tough job for both | | | | was an Academy Award winning musical film. It |
| the actors as well as the directors. | | | | won 6 Academy Awards and 3 Golden Globe |
| Over the years there have been some very | | | | awards. |
| popular Hollywood period films. Braveheart (1995), | | | | Troy (2004), starring Brad Pitt, Eric Bana and |
| directed and produced by Mel Gibson, was a huge | | | | Orlando Bloom, was an Oscar nominated film. The |
| success critically as well as commercially. It won | | | | film was a big worldwide hit commercially and was |
| the 1995 Academy Award for best picture, best | | | | critically acclaimed. The Passion of the Christ |
| director, best cinematographer, best makeup and | | | | (2004), directed by Mel Gibson, earned worldwide |
| best sound editing. Braveheart went on to | | | | gross of $610,000,000. Right for pre-release the |
| become one of the biggest masterpieces in the | | | | film was surrounded by controversies but the film |
| whole industry. | | | | was a big success. |
| Titanic was the biggest hit of the year 1997. It | | | | Kingdom of heaven (2005), directed by Ridley |
| was directed by James Cameron and Leonardo | | | | Scott and starring Orlando Bloom and Eva Green, |
| DiCaprio and Kate Winslet starred in the film. It | | | | was a success. The film won many international |
| holds the record for the highest gross collection. | | | | film awards and was very popular among the |
| The film was nominated in 14 categories in Oscar | | | | youth. |