Movies About The Victorian Era

From Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine
Rated PG-13

The Prestige is a 2006 British-American mystery thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan. The story follows Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale), rival stage magicians in London at the end of the 19th century. After a tragic accident, the two become enemies and deploy every trick they know to best each other in a lengthy battle of deception and secrecy. Angier discovers Borden's secret weapon, the 'Transported Man,' a teleportation device that allows Borden to appear anywhere instantly. In an attempt to learn the trick, Angier recruits Nikola Tesla (David Bowie), a brilliant inventor, to create a machine to copy the effect. The two magicians continue to try and outwit each other in increasingly dangerous and elaborate illusions, culminating in a shocking finale.

From David Lynch, starring Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud
Rated PG

The Elephant Man is a biographical drama directed by David Lynch, starring John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins. It tells the true story of John Merrick, a severely deformed man living in Victorian England. Despite facing extreme prejudice and ridicule, Merrick is taken under the wing of the eminent surgeon Frederick Treves, who becomes fascinated by Merrick's extraordinary intelligence and resilience. Through their friendship, Merrick is able to experience a brief moment of happiness and peace, until dark secrets from his past threaten to destroy his newfound freedom. The film follows Merrick as he endeavors to find beauty in a cruel and unforgiving world.

From Jane Campion, starring Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill, Anna Paquin
Rated R

The Piano is a 1993 drama film written and directed by New Zealand director Jane Campion. Set in the mid-19th century, the film follows Ada McGrath (Holly Hunter), a mute Scotswoman who is sold into marriage to a New Zealand frontiersman, Alisdair Stewart (Sam Neill). While on the voyage, Ada's piano is taken by her new husband, who refuses to give it back unless she agrees to his terms. In desperation, Ada makes a silent bargain with her young daughter Flora (Anna Paquin): if Flora can secure the return of the piano, Ada will allow her to learn to play it. Ada and Flora build a relationship with Baines (Harvey Keitel), a wealthy landowner and amateur pianist, as he and Ada develop an intimate relationship through the piano and through his teaching. As the relationship between Ada and Baines develops, Ada is forced to make a difficult choice between her desires and the responsibilities of motherhood. The Piano is a beautiful and powerful story of love, loss, family, and redemption, told through the intertwining of two remarkable performances by Holly Hunter and Anna Paquin. The film's complex themes are underscored by Jane Campion

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Daniel Day-Lewis, Jim Broadbent
Rated R

Gangs of New York is a 2002 American epic period drama film directed by Martin Scorsese. Set in the Five Points district of New York City in the mid-19th century, the film tells the story of a young man, Amsterdam Vallon, who seeks revenge against Bill the Butcher, the crime boss who killed his father. The film dives into the world of gangs, politics, religion, and justice, and paints a vivid portrait of a city at war with itself. As Amsterdam grows to understand the intricacies of the city's gangs, he is drawn into a struggle for power between Bill the Butcher and Irish American immigrant gang leader, Priest Vallon. In the midst of the chaos, Amsterdam finds himself caught in a battle between the two forces, torn between loyalty to his father's memory and his own survival. With the help of Jenny, a pickpocket, Amsterdam races to save the city from destruction and bring justice to his father's killer.

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves
Rated R

From Agnieszka Holland, starring Kate Maberly, Maggie Smith, Heydon Prowse, Andrew Knott
Rated G

From Steven Spielberg, starring Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey, Anthony Hopkins, Morgan Freeman
Rated R

From Roman Polanski, starring Nastassja Kinski, Peter Firth, Leigh Lawson, John Collin
Rated PG

From Martin Scorsese, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder, Linda Faye Farkas
Rated PG

From Joel Schumacher, starring Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson, Miranda Richardson
Rated PG-13

From Jean-Marc Vallée, starring Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson
Rated PG

From John Madden, starring Judi Dench, Billy Connolly, Geoffrey Palmer, Antony Sher
Rated PG

From George Miller, starring Kirk Douglas, Tom Burlinson, Terence Donovan, Tommy Dysart
Rated PG

From Douglas McGrath, starring Charlie Hunnam, Jamie Bell, Christopher Plummer, Jim Broadbent
Rated PG

From Chris Noonan, starring Renée Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson, Barbara Flynn
Rated PG

From Michael Winterbottom, starring Christopher Eccleston, Kate Winslet, Liam Cunningham, Rachel Griffiths
Rated R

From Brian Gilbert, starring Stephen Fry, Jude Law, Vanessa Redgrave, Jennifer Ehle
Rated R

From Oliver Parker, starring Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Frances O'Connor, Reese Witherspoon
Rated PG

From Oliver Parker, starring Rupert Everett, Julianne Moore, Peter Vaughan, Minnie Driver
Rated PG-13

From P.J. Hogan, starring Jeremy Sumpter, Jason Isaacs, Olivia Williams, Lynn Redgrave
Rated PG

From Martha Fiennes, starring Ralph Fiennes, Liv Tyler, Toby Stephens, Lena Headey
Rated R

From Andy Tennant, starring Jodie Foster, Chow Yun-Fat, Bai Ling, Tom Felton
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes, starring Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm, Robbie Coltrane
Rated R

From Gillian Armstrong, starring Ralph Fiennes, Cate Blanchett, Ciarán Hinds, Tom Wilkinson
Rated R

From Ron Howard, starring Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Thomas Gibson, Robert Prosky
Rated PG-13