Period films are those which are set in the background of historical period with some exceptions. There are certain standards that have to be maintained to classify a film as a period film. All the things including the sets, props, costumes, style, and characters will have to symbolize the time and background of the event.
Producing Hollywood period films is always considered as a very expensive task; for this requires huge grand sets and design costumes that reflect the style of the era in which the story takes place.
Many film critics have said that whenever Hollywood scriptwriters lack scripts, they go for a period film. But since most of the period films are big successes, who minds? Filmmakers believe that making a period film is a very tough job, since most of the contemporary actors know very little about the attributes of characters from the past or from the epics. It is very difficult to imagine their mannerisms and states of mind and finally to portray them. It is a tough job for both the actors as well as the directors.
Over the years there have been some very popular Hollywood period films. Braveheart (1995), directed and produced by Mel Gibson, was a huge success critically as well as commercially. It won the 1995 Academy Award for best picture, best director, best cinematographer, best makeup and best sound editing. Braveheart went on to become one of the biggest masterpieces in the whole industry.
Titanic was the biggest hit of the year 1997. It was directed by James Cameron and Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet starred in the film. It holds the record for the highest gross collection. The film was nominated in 14 categories in Oscar and won the best picture and best director awards. It also won 11 Academy Awards and many other awards. Elizabeth (1998), directed by Shekher Kapur, received huge critical acclaim. It starred Cate Blanchett as Queen Elizabeth I of England. The film won the Academy Award. It got Oscar nomination for 7 categories but it won only one for best make up. Apart from these, the film won many other awards.
The Patriot (2000), starring Mel Gibson and directed by Roland Emmerich, was an instant hit. Though the film was associated with some controversies, it still managed to get critical acclaim as well as popularity.
Gladiator (2000), starring Russell Crowe and directed by Ridley Scott, was the biggest blockbuster of the year. It made a worldwide box office gross of $457, 640, 427. The film won 5 Academy Awards including the Academic Award for Best Picture. Chicago (2002), starring Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger, was an Academy Award winning musical film. It won 6 Academy Awards and 3 Golden Globe awards.
Troy (2004), starring Brad Pitt, Eric Bana and Orlando Bloom, was an Oscar nominated film. The film was a big worldwide hit commercially and was critically acclaimed. The Passion of the Christ (2004), directed by Mel Gibson, earned worldwide gross of $610,000,000. Right for pre-release the film was surrounded by controversies but the film was a big success.
Kingdom of heaven (2005), directed by Ridley Scott and starring Orlando Bloom and Eva Green, was a success. The film won many international film awards and was very popular among the youth.