Best movies like St. Ives
Last updated March 2024
Looking for movies similar to St. Ives? Share your knowledge to help others to tv shows and films you've viewed before that may likewise appeal to them. Support broadening the network of people mentioning videos to one another. We appreciate your involvement!
Plot Summary:
In 1813, Capitaine Jacques St. Ives, a Hussar in the Napoleonic wars, is captured and sent to a Scottish prison camp. He's a swashbuckler, so the prison's commander, Major Farquar Bolingbroke Chevening, asks for lessons in communicating with women. Both men have their eyes on the lovely Flora, who resides with her aunt, the iconoclastic and well-traveled Miss Susan Emily Gilcrist. By chance, living close to the camp is Jacques's grandfather and brother, whom Jacques believes died years before. Jacques decides to escape, find his relatives, and win the hand of Flora; Major Chevening and an unforeseen enemy stand in his way. Can Miss Gilcrist contrive to make everything work out?.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 817
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France, Germany, Ireland, UK
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, captivating, stylized, costume drama, independent film, realistic, period drama
Best tv shows and movies like St. Ives (1998):
Similar in 79%
The Emperor's New Clothes (2001)
Plot Summary:
Napoleon, exiled, devises a plan to retake the throne. He'll swap places with commoner Eugene Lenormand, sneak into Paris, then Lenormand will reveal himself and Napoleon will regain his throne. Things don't go at all well; first, the journey proves more difficult than expected, but more disastrously, Lenormand enjoys himself too much to reveal the deception. Napoleon adjusts somewhat uneasily to the life of a commoner while waiting, while Lenormand gorges on rich food.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: UK, Italy, Germany
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: touching, humorous, fairy tale, entertaining, witty, clever, offbeat, realistic, semi serious, feel good
Similar in 87%
Monsieur N. (2003)
Plot Summary:
This film covers the last years of the Emperor's life, imprisoned by the British on St Helena, a remote island off the west coast of Africa. Napoleon retains a loyal entourage of officers who help him plot his escape and evade the attentions of the island's overzealous governor, Sir Hudson Lowe.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Mystery
Country: France, UK
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: epic, serious, captivating, realistic, costume drama, mind bending, period drama
Similar in 82%
Colonel Chabert (1994)
Plot Summary:
Colonel Chabert has been severely wounded in the French-Russian Napoleonic war to the point that the medical examiner has signed his death certificate. When he regains his health and memory, he goes back to Paris, where his "widow", Anne has married the Count Ferraud and is financing his rise to power using Chabert's money. Chabert hires a lawyer to help him get back his money and his honor.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: France
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: harsh, disturbing, talky, stylized, sentimental, serious, clever, bleak, romantic, psychological
Similar in 79%
Quartet (1981)
Plot Summary:
Quartet is the story of a girl who, adrift with her feckless husband amidst the literati of glittering Paris in the 1920s, becomes entrapped by a rich and sybaritic English couple. Adapted from the wistful, melancholy autobiographical novel by Jean Rhys, Quartet is full of intense confrontations dazzlingly acted by Alan Bates, Maggie Smith, Anthony Higgins, and Isabelle Adjani. This is one of the Merchant Ivory team’s darkest and most compelling dramas of dangerously intertwined relationships.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, France
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: costume drama, romantic drama, independent film, atmospheric, clever, serious, realistic, talky, stylized, gloomy
Similar in 76%
The Mayor of Casterbridge (2003)
Plot Summary:
Adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel. At a country fair, young hay-trusser Michael Henchard quarrels with his wife Susan, and in a drunken fit decides to auction off his wife and baby to a sailor for five guineas. The next day, realising his loss, he swears not to touch liquor again for as many years as he has lived so far. Eighteen years later, Henchard has become Mayor of Casterbridge, a man well respected but not well liked. The unexpected return of his wife and daughter Elizabeth Jane sets off a turn of events that force him to face the consequences of his selfish impulses and violent temper.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 196 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, emotional, realistic, costume drama, historical drama, period drama
Similar in 88%
A Hazard of Hearts (1987)
Plot Summary:
When compulsive gambler Sir Giles Staverley has lost his estate and all his money playing dice, he realises that he only has one thing left of value: his daughter Serena. In a final game, he stakes his daughter's hand in marriage, convinced that this time he will not lose. Unfortunately, however, he does lose; to the evil Lord Wrotham. Unable to return home and tell his daughter that he has lost her in a game of dice, Sir Giles kills himself there and then. Lord Vulcan, who has witnessed the events, takes pity on Serena Staverley, although they have never met. He challenges Lord Wrotham to a game of dice in which the winner takes both Staverley Court and Miss Serena.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: gothic, period piece, sweet, cult classic, romantic drama, atmospheric, captivating, realistic, stylized, semi serious
Similar in 77%
Oscar and Lucinda (1997)
Plot Summary:
After a childhood of abuse by his evangelistic father, misfit Oscar Hopkins becomes an Anglican minister and develops a divine obsession with gambling. Lucinda Leplastrier is a rich Australian heiress shopping in London for materials for her newly acquired glass factory back home. Deciding to travel to Australia as a missionary, Oscar meets Lucinda aboard ship, and a mutual obsession blossoms. They make a wager that will alter each of their destinies.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, Australia, UK
Duration: 132 min
Plot tags: romantic, melancholic, surreal, captivating, touching, costume drama, christian film, art film, historical drama, atmospheric
Similar in 84%
Far from the Madding Crowd (1998)
Plot Summary:
This powerful adaptation of Thomas Hardy's classic novel spins a story of passion and destruction set in the nineteenth century. The proud, flighty and bewitching Bathsheba Everdene finds herself entangled into the passions of three men and her impulsive nature pushes her into a web of deceit and destruction.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 955
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 54 min
Plot tags: costume drama, historical drama, serious, realistic, period drama
Similar in 83%
Affinity (2008)
Plot Summary:
A grieving upper class woman becomes a "Lady Visitor" at Millbank prison, hoping to escape her troubles and be a guiding figure in the lives of the female prisoners. Of all her friendships with prisoners, she is most fascinated by Selina - a medium. Set in the 1870s.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, Romania, Canada
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: psychological, serious, enigmatic, captivating, suspense, historical drama, gothic, gothic horror, period piece, costume drama
Similar in 90%
War and Peace (1965)
Plot Summary:
Seven-hour epic based on the eponymous book by Leo Tolstoy. Two main story-lines are complex and intertwined. One is the love story of young Countess Natasha Rostova and Count Pierre Bezukhov, who is unhappy in his marriage. Another is the "Great Patriotic War" of 1812 against the invading Napoleon's Armies. The people of Russia from all classes of society stand up united against the enemy.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Drama, Romance, War
Country: Soviet Union
Duration: 393 min
Plot tags: epic, fairy tale, inspirational, romantic, spiritual, smart, exciting, serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 89%
The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982)
Plot Summary:
During the French Revolution, a mysterious English nobleman known only as The Scarlet Pimpernel (a humble wayside flower), snatches French aristos from the jaws of the guillotine, while posing as the foppish Sir Percy Blakeney in society. Percy falls for and marries the beautiful actress Marguerite St. Just, but she is involved with Chauvelin and Robespierre, and Percy's marriage to her may endanger the Pimpernel's plans to save the little Dauphin.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 142 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, entertaining, period piece, exciting, serious, realistic, suspenseful, period drama, baroque, eighties
Similar in 90%
Carmen (2003)
Plot Summary:
In director Vicente Aranda's adaptation of the classic opera, a French writer documents the seductive power of the beautiful Gypsy Carmen, who turns her charms on a young soldier, awakening his passions but ultimately leading to tragedy. Jose becomes obsessed with Carmen and finds himself unable to control his jealousy, which forces him to make a deadly decision in this fiery story of love and betrayal.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Spain, UK, Italy
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: sexy, captivating, emotional, erotic, sad, serious, realistic, sexual, historical romance, period drama
Similar in 86%
Century (1993)
Plot Summary:
Turn-of-the-century love story centered around a young doctor and the emergence of modern science.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 412
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: independent film, uplifting, thought provoking, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, period drama
Similar in 85%
Confession of a Child of the Century (2012)
Plot Summary:
Paris, 1830: Octave, betrayed by his mistress, sinks into despair and debauchery. His father's death leads him to the country where he meets Brigitte, a widow who is ten years his elder. Octave falls in love passionately, but will he have the courage to believe in it?.
IMDB Rating: 4.3
IMDB Votes: 650
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France, Germany, UK
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: touching, realistic, serious, period piece, costume drama, contemplative, gloomy, weird
Similar in 88%
Valmont (1989)
Plot Summary:
Set in Baroque France, a scheming widow and her lover make a bet regarding the corruption of a recently married woman. The lover, Valmont, bets that he can seduce her, even though she is an honorable woman. If he wins, he can have his lover to do as he will. However, in the process of seducing the married woman, Valmont falls in love. Based on the same novel as "Dangerous Liaisons.".
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France, UK
Duration: 137 min
Plot tags: stylized, period piece, sensual, costume drama, sexy, realistic, erotic, historical drama, independent film, captivating
Similar in 83%
Persuasion (2022)
Plot Summary:
Living with her snobby family on the brink of bankruptcy, Anne Elliot is an unconforming woman with modern sensibilities. When Frederick Wentworth - the dashing one she once sent away - crashes back into her life, Anne must choose between putting the past behind her or listening to her heart when it comes to second chances.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 34000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: costume drama, period piece, psychological, romantic, captivating, disturbing, period drama
Similar in 77%
Lorna Doone (2000)
Plot Summary:
The year is 1675. England is threatened by religious and political rivalries. King Charles II's Catholic brother, James, is next in line for the throne, but many Protestants put their faith in Charles' illegitimate son, The Duke of Monmouth. On the king's death, conflict is inevitable... Over seven days journey from London, Exmoor is a primitive and lawless area. Here, farmer Jack Ridd lives with his wife Sarah, son John, and two daughters. The only shadow over their simple life is cast by the notorious outlaw family the Doones. The aristocratic Doones were banished from their ancestral lands and now live through looting, theft, and murder. Their brutality is legendary.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 180 min
Plot tags: emotional, realistic, serious, captivating, stylized, period piece, costume drama, historical drama, historical romance, epic
Similar in 90%
Vanity Fair (1998)
Plot Summary:
This faithful BBC adaptation once again brings William Makepeace Thackeray's classic satirical novel to the screen. Becky Sharp (Natasha Little) is a beautiful, clever and poor girl determined to earn a higher place in society at any cost. The Napoleonic Wars provide a dramatic backdrop as Becky sets out to manipulate various characters -- from London ballrooms to the battlefields of Waterloo.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 50 min
Plot tags: costume drama, historical drama, sincere, serious, captivating, realistic, witty, stylized, period piece, period drama
Similar in 76%
Onegin (1999)
Plot Summary:
In the opulent St. Petersburg of the Empire period, Eugene Onegin is a jaded but dashing aristocrat - a man often lacking in empathy, who suffers from restlessness, melancholy and, finally, regret. Through his best friend Lensky, Onegin is introduced to the young Tatiana. A passionate and virtuous girl, she soon falls hopelessly under the spell of the aloof newcomer and professes her love for him.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, period piece, romantic, costume drama, romantic drama, realistic, art house, historical romance, contemplative, clever
Similar in 89%
The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981)
Plot Summary:
In this story-within-a-story, Anna is an actress starring opposite Mike in a period piece about the forbidden love between their respective characters, Sarah and Charles. Both actors are involved in serious relationships, but the passionate nature of the script leads to an off-camera love affair as well. While attempting to maintain their composure and professionalism, Anna and Mike struggle to come to terms with their infidelity.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: romantic, emotional, costume drama, scenic, stylized, atmospheric, clever, postmodern, erotic, retro
Similar in 89%
Anna Karenina (1997)
Plot Summary:
Anna (Marceau) is a wife and mother who has an affair with the handsome Count Vronsky (Bean). Based on the novel by Tolstoy.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, Russia, UK
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: costume drama, romantic, psychological, atmospheric, emotional, romantic drama, sentimental, serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 80%
The Duellists (1977)
Plot Summary:
In 1800, as Napoleon Bonaparte rises to power in France, a rivalry erupts between Armand and Gabriel, two lieutenants in the French Army, over a perceived insult. For over a decade, they engage in a series of duels amidst larger conflicts, including the failed French invasion of Russia in 1812, and shifts in the political and social systems of Europe.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 26000
Genere: Drama, War
Country: UK
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: costume drama, visually appealing, period piece, cult classic, realistic, stylized, satanic, action adventure, historical drama, serious
Similar in 84%
The Other Boleyn Girl (2003)
Plot Summary:
Based on the controversial novel by Philippa Gregory, "The Other Boleyn Girl" is a fictionalised account of the life of Lady Mary Boleyn (Natascha McElhone) who becomes mistress to England's king, Henry VIII (Jared Harris), before being ousted by her younger sister, Anne (Jodhi May.) Mary leaves the Court to marry a commoner, but returns when Anne embarks on a reckless policy to save herself from ruin.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Romance, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, stylized, sexy, period drama
Similar in 82%
Jane Eyre (1997)
Plot Summary:
Charlotte Bronte's classic novel is filmed yet again. The story of the Yorkshire orphan who becomes a governess to a young French girl and finds love with the brooding lord of the manor is given a standard romantic flare, but sparks do not seem to happen between the two leads in this version.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: costume drama, gothic, atmospheric, emotional, spiritual, sincere, serious, realistic, gloomy, period drama
Similar in 86%
Northanger Abbey (2007)
Plot Summary:
A young woman's penchant for sensational Gothic novels leads to misunderstandings in the matters of the heart.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, USA, Ireland
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: romantic, costume drama, feel good, realistic, period piece, gothic, psychological, humorous, historical drama, heartbreaking
Similar in 81%
Great Expectations (2012)
Plot Summary:
Miss Havisham, a wealthy spinster who wears an old wedding dress and lives in the dilapidated Satis House, asks Pip's "Uncle Pumblechook" (who is actually Joe's uncle) to find a boy to play with her adopted daughter Estella. Pip begins to visit Miss Havisham and Estella, with whom he falls in love,then Pip a humble orphan suddenly becomes a gentleman with the help of an unknown benefactor.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 128 min
Plot tags: captivating, emotional, sentimental, serious, realistic, costume drama, period piece, gothic, sex comedy, cult classic
Similar in 90%
Mansfield Park (2007)
Plot Summary:
In Mansfield Park, poverty-stricken Fanny Price is sent away to live with her wealthy uncle and aunt at Mansfield Park. As she struggles to adapt to her new lifestyle she begins to attract the attentions of suitors, learning about the sexual politics of high society along the way.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: period piece, costume drama, realistic, witty, stylized, romantic, historical drama, touching, gloomy, semi serious
Similar in 83%
Silk (2007)
Plot Summary:
Based on the best-selling novel by Alessandro Baricco, this visually stunning film tells the story of a French trader who finds unexpected love far away from home.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Canada, France, Italy, UK, Japan, USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: romantic, stylized, sentimental, realistic, sensual, touching, serious, period piece, visually stunning, erotic
Similar in 86%
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Plot Summary:
Pride & Prejudice is a humorous story of love and life among English gentility during the Georgian era. Mr. Bennet is an English gentleman living in Hertfordshire with his overbearing wife and five daughters. If Mr. Bennet dies their house will be inherited by a distant cousin whom they have never met, so the family's future happiness and security is dependent on the daughters making good marriages.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 322000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France, UK, USA
Duration: 129 min
Plot tags: romantic, costume drama, sweet, dramatic, captivating, witty, touching, emotional, cute, period piece
Similar in 79%
Les Misérables (1998)
Plot Summary:
Jean Valjean, a Frenchman imprisoned for stealing bread, must flee a police officer named Javert. The pursuit consumes both men's lives, and soon Valjean finds himself in the midst of the student revolutions in France.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 43000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Romance
Country: UK, Germany, USA
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: touching, costume drama, sincere, dramatic, epic, period piece, emotional, clever, fairy tale, social