10 Movies & Shows Like The Libertine

Description: A visually stunning epic that follows the rise and fall of an ambitious outsider in 18th-century Europe. The film's meticulous attention to historical detail and its exploration of social mobility and fate are central themes.

Fact: The film is renowned for its use of natural lighting, with many scenes shot entirely by candlelight, a technique that required special lenses developed by NASA.

Description: A visually striking and intellectually engaging period piece that revolves around deception, power, and artistic ambition. The film's intricate plot and stylized dialogue evoke the complexities of its historical setting.

Fact: The film was Peter Greenaway's first feature-length work and is noted for its use of baroque music and precise, painterly compositions.

Description: A lavish historical drama that delves into the destructive nature of envy and obsession, set against the backdrop of 18th-century Vienna. The film portrays the tumultuous relationship between genius and mediocrity.

Fact: The film won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and is known for its meticulous attention to period detail and classical music performances.

Description: A period drama filled with intrigue, seduction, and moral decay, set in the decadent world of the French aristocracy. The film explores themes of manipulation, power, and the consequences of hedonism.

Fact: The screenplay was adapted from Christopher Hampton's play, which itself was based on the 18th-century French novel 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses' by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos.

Description: A historical drama that examines the fragility of power and the human cost of leadership, focusing on the mental decline of a monarch. The film blends tragedy with dark humor.

Fact: The film was adapted from the stage play 'The Madness of George III,' but the title was changed for American audiences to avoid confusion with the 'George III' sequel.

Description: A dark and provocative historical drama that explores the conflict between creativity and repression, focusing on the life of the Marquis de Sade. The film examines themes of censorship, madness, and the power of words.

Fact: The film is loosely based on the life of the infamous French writer Marquis de Sade, though it takes significant artistic liberties with historical events.

Description: A dramatic exploration of identity, performance, and transformation set in the theatrical world of 17th-century London. The film examines the blurred lines between art and reality.

Fact: The film is based on the true story of Edward Kynaston, one of the last male actors to play female roles before women were allowed on the English stage.

Description: A dark and sensual tale of obsession and genius, set in 18th-century France. The film explores the lengths to which one man will go to capture beauty and transcend his own limitations.

Fact: The film's production design meticulously recreated the squalor and grandeur of 18th-century Paris, using a combination of practical sets and CGI.

Description: A biographical period drama that examines the constraints of societal expectations and the personal cost of public life. The film highlights themes of rebellion, scandal, and the search for personal freedom.

Fact: The costumes in the film were designed by Michael O'Connor, who won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design for his work.

Description: A biting and darkly comedic period piece that delves into the machinations of power, rivalry, and manipulation within the royal court. The film's tone balances decadence with sharp wit.

Fact: The film was shot using natural lighting and wide-angle lenses to create a distinctive visual style reminiscent of 18th-century paintings.