Drama is a film genre that relies on realistic characters and their progression through problems that people commonly face, such as addictions, moral dilemmas, and conflicts with society and themselves. In the 1950s, melodrama was the most popular type of drama, and actors like Marlon Brando brought more natural acting to the genre. During the 1960s and 1970s, many influential dramatic directors made their first films, such as The Godfather, Taxi Driver, and Mean Streets, while successful sports and war films also emerged. In the 1980s and 1990s, dramas took on more emotional themes as seen in films like The Color Purple and Boyz N the Hood, and comedy-dramas

1. The History of Drama
Joshua Crichlow

2. Drama
Drama is a genre that depends on realistic
characters and their progression throughout the
story. Due to this, they can encounter problems
that go on with people across the world, such
as addictions, moral dilemmas and other
conflicts with society and themselves. The
definition of drama makes it probably the
broadest film genre, with numerous sub- and
hybrid-drama types.
Within dramas, there is usually a tragic
resolution or ultimatum, something that affects
the character deeply from then on, asking
questions with morally ambiguous answers.

3. Early Film – 1950s
Melodrama was the most popular type of
drama in the 1950s, in the early years of
the cinema. The transition from silent
cinema led to the rise of actors like Marlon
Brando (The Godfather – Vito
Corleone), who brought more natural
acting to the genre. Because of this, the
1950s was the rise of many well known
actors.

4. 1960s – 1970s
At this time, a lot of modern dramatic
directors made their first films, such as
The Godfather (1972), Taxi Driver
(1976), and Mean Streets (1973).
Also during this time, successful sports
films were made, such as Rocky (1976)
– and its sequels – as well as several
war films, such as Tora! Tora! Tora!
(1970), Patton (1970) and Apocalypse
Now (1979), all of which are
considered classic films.

5. 1980s –1990s
In this period, dramas films took on more
emotional themes. Examples of this are
films such as Spike Lee’s The Color
Purple (1985) and Boyz N the Hood
(1991). Comedy-drama also became more
popular in films such as Forrest Gump and
As Good as It Gets. Aside from the
aforementioned differences between the
1980-90s, children oriented dramas also
became popular with films such as The
Lion King (1994).

6. 2000s
Within the 2000s, biopics became very
popular, such as 8 Mile (2002) and Ali
(2001). Films also became more
exposed to dramatic skirmishes in
films, and they also became a lot more
violent. Romantic dramas dropped in
popularity, however some films still
enjoy box office success – examples of
this are the controversial Brokeback
Mountain (2005), and Slumdog
Millionaire (2008)