The document discusses three period drama films based on novels: Pride and Prejudice (2005), Jane Eyre (2011), and The Young Victoria (2009). It notes that casting famous actors like Keira Knightley and using accurate settings helped Pride and Prejudice succeed. For Jane Eyre, casting lesser known but talented actors like Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender led to their increased fame after the film. The Young Victoria was set up for popularity by telling the well-known true story of Queen Victoria's early life.

1. Iconic Period Dramas
Paige Livingston

3. Pride & Prejudice (2005 film)
• The 2005 film was made so successful by the screenwriter as she
initially attempted to make the script as faithful and close to the novel
as it could be, and in doing this it helped create more interest
immediately as the novel was so popular and successful with its
consumers.
• To help create the most accurate version of the novel via film, the
screenwriter decided to set all the filming in England, which was
extremely successful.
• All characters were very thought through, how every actor could help
portray the role of each character to the best possibility.

4. • By using actors well-known for the roles in Pride & Prejudice, the film
was then set up for success; they cast to play the main female actress
was Keira Knightley, she was known internationally for her work in
Pirate of the Caribbean and Bend it like Beckham, both of which
made it big in the Hollywood industry . This helped the film get
recognition that would help the movie lift off when it was released.
• They cast for the main male character to play Mr Darcy was Matthew
Macfadyen. Although he wasn’t known as internationally as Knightley
was, her recognition allowed Macfadyen to become more known
internationally and help his career. In many of the period dramas
iconic films, there is always one of the characters who is more known,
than the other and this helps the release of the film, so its not too
chaotic.

6. Jane Eyre (2011 film)
• Jane Eyre is also another period drama film that had been based on a
previous novel. By the screenwriter doing this, it automatically set the
film up for success, as consumers would have already enjoyed the
book and would love to see it as a film version of what they have
read.
• Throughout the novel it included gothic elements, the filmmakers
decided to over exaggerate this element which was to hopefully give
the film enough interest from consumers.
• They used small actors that weren’t gravely known to Hollywood,
however after this movie they became more known after the amazing
feedback.

7. • They cast Mia Wasikowska as Jane Eyre as the director liked her sense of
observation in her eyes and that she was able to communicate in a way
that didn’t feels o theatrical. He also felt that her looks weren’t the best
but could be played down for the required role she was cast for.
Wasikowska was known for playing the role of Alice in “Alice in
Wonderland (2010)” and had nothing but good responses from critics
on her performance and this is why the director felt she was best for the
role of Jane Eyre.
• Casting Michael Fassbender as Edward Rochester although he didn’t
look and feel like the character in the novel they felt that Fassbender
had the spirit of the character and felt he would do well. Fassbender
was not gravely known before the filming of Jane Eyre, this was because
he was a foreign actor, however after the release of Jane Eyre he then
got deals with other movies, one that had become extremely popular in
the film industry and these include “Prometheus” “12 Years a Slave” and
“X-Men: First Class”.

9. The Young Victoria (2009 film)
• The Young Victoria is a film that is not based on a previous, but its
based on the early life and reign of Queen Victoria, so true events.
However there was an earlier make of the film made in 1963.
• This film was set up to already be popular as the story is well-known
globally, so a modern version of the film is something that the public
would be very interested in seeing, as they starred Emily Blunt (a well
known