Today is Medieval Monday with Jenna Jaxon! She joins us with a special guest post - her favorite historical movies! Please join me in welcoming Jenna Jaxon ...
I love history. I grew up in the historic town of Petersburg, VA. I began my college career as a History major, and I write historical romance. So of course I’m a fan of historical movies.
I was surprised that I ended up having to limit my list to ten and to limit the time period to pre-20th century (with one notable exception). What I also realized as I put the list together was that all of these movies has a romance either at its core, or at least tangentially. Likely that’s why I like them so much.
My top ten historical movies (in no particular order):
1. Gone With the Wind—one of the first historical films that made a big impression on me. Clark Gable is the epitome of the romantic hero, even to a girl of 13.
2. The Wind and the Lion—not sure how many will have seen this. Loved Sean Connery as a Berber; Candice Bergen is more than his match. Unrequited love, but the romance is there.
3. The Lion in Winter—Not a traditional romance. Christmas in 1189 with King Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine and their three sons. It’s a very funny movie, but you see the love between Henry and Eleanor.
4. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves—I’ve watched this one so many times I can recite the dialogue for you. LOL Just a wonderful costume action movie with a great cast and story.
5. Dances with Wolves—another Kevin Costner movie that I will immediately sit down and watch if it comes on television. The attention to detail and production values are gorgeous, the story moving, the casting excellent. I can only watch up to the point where he’s captured by the soldiers. After that, it’s too painful.
6. Titanic—the only movie on my list set in the 20th century. But this movie again has stunning attention to historical detail and the story is so moving. Technically not a romance, as there’s no true HEA, despite the final moments.
7. The Patriot—romance takes a back seat to fatherly love in this wonderful movie. Again, casting and a moving story set this apart for me.
8. Braveheart—More Mel Gibson and despite all the brouhaha about the historical inaccuracies, the feeling of the savagery of the period comes through vividly, as does Wallace’s passion for his wife and his country.
9. Les Miserables—I was such a fan of the musical I was overjoyed when the movie lived up to all my expectations. This movie captures all the emotions: love, hate, fear, jealousy, patriotism with music that lifts your heart to hear it.
10. Last of the Mohicans—The version with Daniel Day-Lewis. The story details the clash of cultures overcome by love. The scene on the rock between Hawkeye and Cora is one of the hottest love scenes, in my opinion.
Mahalo, Jenna, for sharing this great list with us! I've become a history buff as a result of becoming a historical romance fan!
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| White Castle in Wales |
Jenna is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America as well as a member of Chesapeake Romance Writers. Her debut novel, Only Scandal Will Do, is the first in her House of Pleasure series, set in Georgian London. Her medieval novel, Time Enough to Love, is a Romeo & Juliet-esque tale, set at the time of the Black Death.
She has equated her writing to an addiction to chocolate because once she starts she just can’t stop.
Jenna is giving away a digital copy of TIME ENOUGH TO LOVE:
When Lady Alyse de Courcy is betrothed to Sir Geoffrey Longford, she has no choice but to make the best of a bad bargain. The hulking knight is far from her ideal man, and although he does possess some wit and charm, he is no match for the sinfully sensual man she secretly admires, Thomas, Earl of Braeton, her betrothed’s best friend.
From the first, Sir Geoffrey finds himself smitten by Lady Alyse, and, despite her infatuation with his friend, vows to win her love. When Geoffrey puts his mind to wooing Alyse, he is delighted to find her succumbing to his seduction. But when cruel circumstances separate them, Geoffrey must watch helplessly as Thomas steps in to protect Alyse—and falls in love with her himself.
As the three courtiers accompany Princess Joanna to her wedding in Spain, they run headlong into the Black Plague. With her world plunged into chaos, Alyse struggles with her feelings for both the men she loves. But which love will survive?
To enter the giveaway,
When Lady Alyse de Courcy is betrothed to Sir Geoffrey Longford, she has no choice but to make the best of a bad bargain. The hulking knight is far from her ideal man, and although he does possess some wit and charm, he is no match for the sinfully sensual man she secretly admires, Thomas, Earl of Braeton, her betrothed’s best friend.
From the first, Sir Geoffrey finds himself smitten by Lady Alyse, and, despite her infatuation with his friend, vows to win her love. When Geoffrey puts his mind to wooing Alyse, he is delighted to find her succumbing to his seduction. But when cruel circumstances separate them, Geoffrey must watch helplessly as Thomas steps in to protect Alyse—and falls in love with her himself.
As the three courtiers accompany Princess Joanna to her wedding in Spain, they run headlong into the Black Plague. With her world plunged into chaos, Alyse struggles with her feelings for both the men she loves. But which love will survive?
To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about your favorite historical movie. As I prepare this blog, INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE is playing on Spike TV. How can I resist Harrison Ford and Sean Connery?
2. Comments are open through Saturday, September 6, 10 pm in Baltimore.
2. Comments are open through Saturday, September 6, 10 pm in Baltimore.
3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, September 7.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
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| Caerphilly Castle in Wales |
I loved Titanic. But I also loved Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. Gosh, there are many good ones to choose from, but I think those are my top two favorites.
ReplyDeleteI've watched both so many times, Linda, that I can recite the dialogue along with the characters. I remember listening to Robin Hood while putting up wallpaper in my old house. :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteBraveheart. Bawled my eyes out!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Linda! In fact after the first time I watched all the way through, I can't watch the ending. Have to cut it off after he meets the princess in prison. Still, love that movie.
DeleteI have just re-watched ELIZABETH with Cate Blanchett. It's fabulous. Love the time period.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree about the time period, Mary. Believe it or not, I haven't had a chance to watch Elizabeth. Something I must remedy soon.
DeleteGone With The Wind hands down!
ReplyDeleteStill love this one too, Danielle. I cut my teeth on it as a teenager and it's always had a place in my heart. :)
DeleteI love all the Indiana Jones movie (except the last one)
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge Indiana Jones fan, Debby. I love Raiders and Last Crusade. Not a big fan of Temple of Doom. And I like Crystal Skull mostly because of Shia Laboeuf. :)
DeleteI love Daniel day-lewis in last of the Mohicans. I still love how intense he is in the movie!
ReplyDeleteOMG! I just about swoon when I see him and Madeline Stow together. And yes, he brings a whole new meaning to the word "intense."
DeleteBraveheart :) before Mel went all cray cray :)
ReplyDeleteI know, Erin. I try to keep his personal life and his acting career separate in my mind, because I love him as an actor. So many magnificent movies to his credit. But the crazies have gotten him, unfortunately.
DeleteGreat list! I like most of them a lot!
ReplyDeleteThanks, D'Ann! But what's your favorite? :)
DeleteGreat list! I'm a Braveheart fan myself :)
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm wondering if you also like the Outlander series that's going on now, Jennifer. The Scots are some very romantic people. And Braveheart is wonderfully romantic, even though it's mostly very bloody fighting. :)
DeleteI was about 11 when my grandmother took me 'to town' to see a re-release of Gone With The Wind. It remains a highlight of my youth and one of my few loving memories of alone times with my grandmother.
ReplyDeleteI remember my parents taking me--possibly to the same re-release--and being impressed that the movie was so long it had an intermission. The scene in the hospital upset me for days. :) But I love that movie.
DeleteMany of your favorites are also mine. There's a character in Gone With the Wind- Belle Watling that has always been a favorite of mine... My maiden name was Watling. :)
ReplyDeleteMelissa
daringzoey @yahoo.com
LOL! Perhaps that influenced you to write hot romance, Melissa. :) Belle was quite a character. Loved her powdering her bosom while talking to Melanie in the carriage.
DeleteIndiana Jones
ReplyDeleteAny particular one, bn100? My fave is actually Last Crusade. Harrison Ford and Sean Connery--does it get any better than that? :)
DeleteI loved Braveheart too. Gone With The Wind is also a favorite of mine.
ReplyDeleteI see we have much in common as far as movies are concerned, Diane. :) I do love a good historical drama and these are two great ones.
DeleteBraveheart is my favorite historical movie, even though it's not very historically accurate. I enjoyed The Wind and the Lion, too, and I love Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves.
ReplyDeleteYou may be the first person who's also seen The Wind and the Lion, JMC. I loved Sean Connery in that! :)
DeleteMy favorite is Elizabeth I with Helen Mirren.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites is The Three Muskateers. Oliver Platt was just so darn funny, and I loved the swashbuckling scenes.
ReplyDeleteIt may be stretching 'historical' a bit, but Shining Through with Melanie Griffith and Michael Douglas is a favorite of mine. It's a romantic espionage thriller set in WWII.
ReplyDelete