Best Of...
All cinema: History
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939)
Michael Curtiz
Content in having dealt the Spanish a resounding naval defeat at Cadiz, Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex, returns to England, expecting a hero's welcome...
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Michael Curtiz
Procès de Jeanne d'Arc (1962)
Robert Bresson
Rouen, 1431. After falling into the hands of her English enemies, Jeanne, the young peasant girl who became a figurehead of the French army during the Hundred Years War, is placed on trial for heresy...
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Robert Bresson
The Prodigal (1955)
Richard Thorpe
Micah, a devout servant of the Hebrew tradition, wins his father Eli's disapproval when, on a visit to Damascus, he falls in love with the beautiful priestess of Astarte, Samarra...
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Richard Thorpe
Quatre-vingt-treize (1921)
Albert Capellani
France, 1793. The French Revolution has entered its bloodiest phase with the Republican Army authorised by the Committee of Public Safety to crush opposition to the new régime wherever it shows itself, and with utter ruthlessness...
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Albert Capellani
Queen Christina (1933)
Rouben Mamoulian
During the Thirty Years' War, Sweden becomes the pre-eminent power in Europe, under the reign of the warrior king Gustavus Adolphus...
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Rouben Mamoulian
Quelle joie de vivre (1960)
René Clément
Rome, 1921. After completing his military service, an idealistic young man named Ulisse decides to enlist in the Fascist Party, believing this offers the best future for his country after WWI... [More...]
René Clément
Rome, 1921. After completing his military service, an idealistic young man named Ulisse decides to enlist in the Fascist Party, believing this offers the best future for his country after WWI... [More...]
Quentin Durward (1955)
Richard Thorpe
In 1465, the impecunious Scottish knight Quentin Durward travels to France to determine whether the Countess Isabelle of Marcroy will make a suitable bride for his aged uncle... [More...]
Richard Thorpe
In 1465, the impecunious Scottish knight Quentin Durward travels to France to determine whether the Countess Isabelle of Marcroy will make a suitable bride for his aged uncle... [More...]
La Question (1977)
Laurent Heynemann
Algiers, 1957. Henri Charlegue is the editor of a newspaper that is sympathetic to the cause of the FLN (Algerian National Liberation Front)... [More...]
Laurent Heynemann
Algiers, 1957. Henri Charlegue is the editor of a newspaper that is sympathetic to the cause of the FLN (Algerian National Liberation Front)... [More...]
La Rafle (2010)
Rose Bosch
In 1942, Joseph is 11. A Jew, he must go to school with a yellow star sewn onto his chest. Although he is mocked by some, others treat him kindly and he feels that he and his family have found a safe refuge in Paris... [More...]
Rose Bosch
In 1942, Joseph is 11. A Jew, he must go to school with a yellow star sewn onto his chest. Although he is mocked by some, others treat him kindly and he feels that he and his family have found a safe refuge in Paris... [More...]
La Reine Margot (1994)
Patrice Chéreau
Paris, August, 1572 - a troubled time in the history of France, a country scarred by interminable religious wars. To appease the Protestants, the Catholic queen mother Catherine de Medici arranges a marriage between her daughter, Margot, and the King of Navarre, Henri... [More...]
Patrice Chéreau
Paris, August, 1572 - a troubled time in the history of France, a country scarred by interminable religious wars. To appease the Protestants, the Catholic queen mother Catherine de Medici arranges a marriage between her daughter, Margot, and the King of Navarre, Henri... [More...]
The Remains of the Day (1993)
James Ivory
Mr James Stevens is the butler at Darlington Hall, one of England's grander stately homes. Recently the Hall has changed hands and Stevens now serves Mr Lewis, a retired American congressman... [More...]
James Ivory
Mr James Stevens is the butler at Darlington Hall, one of England's grander stately homes. Recently the Hall has changed hands and Stevens now serves Mr Lewis, a retired American congressman... [More...]
Le Retour de Martin Guerre (1982)
Daniel Vigne
Early in the 1500s, there is a mood of celebration in the small village of Artigat in the Ariège region of southwest France... [More...]
Daniel Vigne
Early in the 1500s, there is a mood of celebration in the small village of Artigat in the Ariège region of southwest France... [More...]
Richard III (1955)
Laurence Olivier
England, 1461. The rivalry between the royal houses of York and Lancaster that has resulted in bloody civil wars appears to be at an end when Edward IV is crowned king of England... [More...]
Laurence Olivier
England, 1461. The rivalry between the royal houses of York and Lancaster that has resulted in bloody civil wars appears to be at an end when Edward IV is crowned king of England... [More...]
Ridicule (1996)
Patrice Leconte
France, 1780. Grégoire Ponceludon de Malavoy is a country aristocrat and engineer who has committed himself to a drainage project that will vastly improve the lives of the poor people of his region... [More...]
Patrice Leconte
France, 1780. Grégoire Ponceludon de Malavoy is a country aristocrat and engineer who has committed himself to a drainage project that will vastly improve the lives of the poor people of his region... [More...]
Robin Hood (1922)
Allan Dwan
In late 12th century England, King Richard sets out for the Crusades with his devoted knight champion, Robert, Earl of Huntingdon... [More...]
Allan Dwan
In late 12th century England, King Richard sets out for the Crusades with his devoted knight champion, Robert, Earl of Huntingdon... [More...]
The Sea Hawk (1940)
Michael Curtiz
King Philip II of Spain plans to build an armada that will invade England, the one country that threatens his dream of world domination... [More...]
Michael Curtiz
King Philip II of Spain plans to build an armada that will invade England, the one country that threatens his dream of world domination... [More...]
Le Secret de Mayerling (1949)
Jean Delannoy
In the early hours of 30th January 1889, the Archduke Rudolph, crown prince of Austria, is found dead in his hunting lodge at Mayerling, lying on his bed beside his 17-year-old lover Marie Vetsera... [More...]
Jean Delannoy
In the early hours of 30th January 1889, the Archduke Rudolph, crown prince of Austria, is found dead in his hunting lodge at Mayerling, lying on his bed beside his 17-year-old lover Marie Vetsera... [More...]
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Ingmar Bergman
In the mid-fourteenth century, Europe is being ravaged by the Black Death. On his way home from the Crusades, a knight, Antonius Block, is visited by Death, in the form of an old man in a black cowl... [More...]
Ingmar Bergman
In the mid-fourteenth century, Europe is being ravaged by the Black Death. On his way home from the Crusades, a knight, Antonius Block, is visited by Death, in the form of an old man in a black cowl... [More...]
Simón del desierto (1965)
Luis Buñuel
In the 5th Century, a devout ascetic named Simon stands on top of a tall pillar in a remote desert. He occupies himself in prayer and in blessing those whom come from far around to see him... [More...]
Luis Buñuel
In the 5th Century, a devout ascetic named Simon stands on top of a tall pillar in a remote desert. He occupies himself in prayer and in blessing those whom come from far around to see him... [More...]
Sir Arne's Treasure (1919)
Mauritz Stiller
In 16th century Sweden, King Johan III decrees that the Scottish mercenaries who are plotting against him are to be expelled from the country and their commanders incarcerated... [More...]
Mauritz Stiller
In 16th century Sweden, King Johan III decrees that the Scottish mercenaries who are plotting against him are to be expelled from the country and their commanders incarcerated... [More...]
Sous les yeux d'occident (1936)
Marc Allégret
In Russia during the early 1900s, Razumov is a brilliant student with a dazzling career ahead of him. He has no interest in politics and is unmoved when he learns that the Prime Minister has just been shot dead... [More...]
Marc Allégret
In Russia during the early 1900s, Razumov is a brilliant student with a dazzling career ahead of him. He has no interest in politics and is unmoved when he learns that the Prime Minister has just been shot dead... [More...]
Spartacus (1960)
Stanley Kubrick
In 73 BC, Spartacus is an anonymous slave worker, toiling in the mines of Libya, when he is bought by Lentulus Batiatus, a man who trains and sells gladiators for profit... [More...]
Stanley Kubrick
In 73 BC, Spartacus is an anonymous slave worker, toiling in the mines of Libya, when he is bought by Lentulus Batiatus, a man who trains and sells gladiators for profit... [More...]
The Spirit of St. Louis (1957)
Billy Wilder
One night in May 1927, an unknown airmail pilot named Charles Lindbergh tries in vain to get some sleep on the eve of what would be an historic transatlantic crossing... [More...]
Billy Wilder
One night in May 1927, an unknown airmail pilot named Charles Lindbergh tries in vain to get some sleep on the eve of what would be an historic transatlantic crossing... [More...]
Stavisky (1974)
Alain Resnais
France, 1933. Serge Alexandre is a high-flying businessman who seems to have the Midas touch when it comes to making money... [More...]
Alain Resnais
France, 1933. Serge Alexandre is a high-flying businessman who seems to have the Midas touch when it comes to making money... [More...]
Storm Over Asia (1928)
Vsevolod Pudovkin
Mongolia, 1918. With his father too ill to sell furs at the market, Bair, a young herdsman, must take his place. The only buyers at the market are western traders who pay as little as they can, knowing that the locals are so poor they will sell at any price... [More...]
Vsevolod Pudovkin
Mongolia, 1918. With his father too ill to sell furs at the market, Bair, a young herdsman, must take his place. The only buyers at the market are western traders who pay as little as they can, knowing that the locals are so poor they will sell at any price... [More...]
La Symphonie fantastique (1942)
Christian-Jaque
In Paris circa 1825, Hector Berlioz is a reluctant medical student who shows more interest in music than human anatomy. Convinced that his future lies as a composer, the young Berlioz abandons his studies and devotes himself to his musical compositions, encouraged by his friend Antoine Charbonnel... [More...]
Christian-Jaque
In Paris circa 1825, Hector Berlioz is a reluctant medical student who shows more interest in music than human anatomy. Convinced that his future lies as a composer, the young Berlioz abandons his studies and devotes himself to his musical compositions, encouraged by his friend Antoine Charbonnel... [More...]
Titanic (1943)
Herbert Selpin
April, 1912. As the share price of the British shipping company White Star Line begins to tumble its president, Joseph Bruce Ismay, conceives a plan that will save both the company and his personal fortune... [More...]
Herbert Selpin
April, 1912. As the share price of the British shipping company White Star Line begins to tumble its president, Joseph Bruce Ismay, conceives a plan that will save both the company and his personal fortune... [More...]
Titanic (1953)
Jean Negulesco
Richard Sturges, a wealthy American living in Europe, is so desperate to find his runaway wife Julia that he buys a steerage-class ticket on the RMS Titanic for its maiden voyage across the Atlantic... [More...]
Jean Negulesco
Richard Sturges, a wealthy American living in Europe, is so desperate to find his runaway wife Julia that he buys a steerage-class ticket on the RMS Titanic for its maiden voyage across the Atlantic... [More...]
Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)
Richard Fleischer
1941. In an attempt to weaken Japan after its seizure of Indochina, the United States imposes an embargo that will deprive the country of essential raw materials... [More...]
Richard Fleischer
1941. In an attempt to weaken Japan after its seizure of Indochina, the United States imposes an embargo that will deprive the country of essential raw materials... [More...]
The Tragedy of Macbeth (1971)
Roman Polanski
Victorious in battle, the warriors Macbeth and Banquo are returning to their home in Scotland when they are met by three strange hags who greet them with fantastic prophesies... [More...]
Roman Polanski
Victorious in battle, the warriors Macbeth and Banquo are returning to their home in Scotland when they are met by three strange hags who greet them with fantastic prophesies... [More...]