Top Ten Favorite Movies Set in the 1840s

Below is my current list of favorite movies set in the 1840s:


TOP TEN FAVORITE MOVIES SET IN THE 1840s



1. "The Heiress" (1949) - William Wyler directed this superb adaptation of Ruth and Augustus Goetz's 1947 play, which was an adaptation of Henry James' 1980 novel, "Washington Square". The movie starred Oscar winner Olivia De Havilland, Montgomery Clift, Ralph Richardson and Miriam Hopkins.





2. "All This and Heaven Too" (1940) - Anatole Litvak co-produced and directed this excellent adaptation of Rachel Fields' 1938 novel. The movie starred Bette Davis and Charles Boyer.





3. "Half-Slave, Half-Free: The Solomon Northup Odyssey" (1984) - Avery Brooks starred in this emotional television adaptation of Solomon Northups' 1853 memoirs, "12 Years a Slave". Directed by Gordon Parks, the movie co-starred Rhetta Greene, John Saxon, Lee Bryant, Art Evans and Mason Adams.





4. "The Mark of Zorro" (1940) - Rouben Mamoulian directed this superb adaptation of Johnston McCulley's 1919 story called "The Curse of Capistrano". The movie starred Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell and Basil Rathbone.





5. "The Liberators" (1987) - Robert Carradine and Larry B. Scott starred in this Disney adventure film about Underground Railroad conductor John Fairfield and his fugitive slave friend, Bill; who escort Kentucky slaves north of the Mason-Dixon Line to freedom. Kenneth Johnson starred.





6. "The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin" (1967) - Roddy McDowall and Suzanne Pleshette starred in this Disney adaptation of Sid Fleischman's 1963 children's novel called "By the Great Horn Spoon!". James Neilson directed.





7. "Camille" (1936) - George Cukor directed this lavish adaptation of Alexandre Dumas fils' 1848 novel and 1852 play called "La Dame aux Camélias". The movie starred Greta Garbo and Robert Taylor.





8. "Cousin Bette" (1998) - Jessica Lange starred in this loose adaptation of Honoré de Balzac's 1846 novel. Although unpopular with critics and moviegoers, it is a favorite of mine. Directed by Des McAnuff, the movie co-starred Hugh Laurie, Elisabeth Shue and Kelly MacDonald.





9. "Jane Eyre" (2011) - Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender starred in the 2011 movie adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's 1847 novel. The movie was directed by Cary Fukunaga.





10. "12 Years a Slave" (2013) - British director Steve McQueen helmed this Oscar winning second adaptation of Solomon Northup's 1853 memoirs about the latter's experiences as a slave in the Deep South. The movie starred Chiwetel Ejiofor, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o and Michael Fassbender.