Period Drama Challenge: April Tag Questions

1)  What period dramas have you watched in April?

I watched the 2004 version of Le Silence de la Mer (The Silence of the Sea), a French WWII film based on the novel by Jean Bruller.  I also watched some of Lark Rise to Candleford, which I've been enjoying a lot.

2)  Have you ever watched a period drama where the characters time traveled between eras (i.e. Somewhere In Time, Lost In Austen, From Time To Time)?

I have seen both Somewhere in Time and Lost in Austen.  I liked Somewhere in Time quite a lot, while my feelings towards Lost in Austen were more mixed, although a lot of moments did make me laugh.  One of these days I'm going to review Somewhere in Time and Lost in Austen, so until then, I won't go into much detail.  Let's just say I loved Somewhere in Time, and that my relationship with Lost in Austen is a more complex one.  I'll just leave it at that for now.

3)  What historical era is your favorite and why?

The Edwardian era is very close to my heart, for many personal reasons, being an avid fan of the Canadian author, L. M. Montgomery.  L. M. Montgomery's early novels took place during the Edwardian time period.  In her later books, written in the 1920's and '30's, her writing style remained the same.  In fact, her writing was out of fashion in 20th century academic circles, as it exhibited no modernist tendencies.  L. M. Montgomery's work was no less popular among her readership, for its Romantic or Victorian influences, however, and continues to touch a chord with a large and loyal fan base.  I count myself among them, and hope to see Prince Edward Island in person some day.

Jane Seymour as Marguerite in The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982).

I like both the Tudor era and the Elizabethan era, as well.  I find those chapters in history to be very interesting and intriguing.  The Regency era was lovely in many ways.  I love the style of Regency gowns.  I also like the era of the French Revolution, because of the fashion and style of the women at that time period, with their fashionable choker necklaces and brilliant hats.

Lana Parrilla as Regina, the Evil Queen, in one of my favorite
tv shows, Once Upon a Time.  Her outfit in this scene has always
reminded me of the French Revolution fashion trends, especially the hat.

I also love the Victorian era, but I have a love-hate relationship with that time.  Despite the aspects of the Victorian age that I love, such as their style of writing and literature (Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, the Brontë sisters, etc.), I dislike the class warfare and social injustice that worsened during the period of the Industrial Revolution, and the sexism in regards to how the women were looked upon and treated in Victorian society.

4)  How many William Shakespeare film adaptations have you seen?

I am a fan of his work ("A Mid Summer Night's Dream" was a childhood favorite of mine, and I love "Hamlet" and "Much Ado about Nothing"; "Romeo and Juliet" was a book I was assigned to read in school), but I have only seen one movie based on one of his works - Romeo And Juliet (1968).  I thought the characters were cast perfectly and the superb acting of the actors and actresses brought the characters to life vividly.  I thought it was a decent adaptation.  Speaking of Romeo and Juliet, there is a new film adaptation coming out some time this year.  The screenplay is written by Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey, my favorite tv show.  Here's the trailer:

5)  If a new biographical film based on the life of your favorite classic author were made would you rejoice or be the first to sign a "do not make this film" petition?

I would rejoice, but if I had any reason to believe the film would not do the author justice, it would be more likely that I would sign the "do not make this film" petition.