20 best movies like The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939)

List of the best movies like The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939): Restoration, Juarez, The Other Boleyn Girl, A United Kingdom, The Young Victoria, Cromwell, Queen Margot, Mary Queen of Scots, Queen of the Desert, The Girl King.

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Markimdb: 6.6
Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
CountryUSA, United Kingdom
Duration01:57

An aspiring young physician, Robert Merivel found himself in the service of King Charles II and saves the life of someone close to the King. Merivel joins the King's court and lives the high life provided to someone of his position. Merivel is ordered to marry his King's mistress in order to divert the queens suspicions. He is given one order by the king and that is not to fall in love. The situation worsens when Merivel finds himself in love with his new wife. Eventually, the King finds out and relieves Merivel of his position and wealth. His fall from grace leaves Merivel where he first started. And through his travels and reunions with an old friend, he rediscovers his love for true medicine and what it really means to be a physician.

Markimdb: 6.9
Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
CountryUSA
Duration02:01

The newly named emperor Maximilian and his wife Carolotta arrive in Mexico to face popular sentiment favoring Benito Juraez and democracy..

Markimdb: 6.7
Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom, USA
Duration01:50

A sumptuous and sensual tale of intrigue, romance and betrayal set against the backdrop of a defining moment in European history: two beautiful sisters, Anne and Mary Boleyn, driven by their family's blind ambition, compete for the love of the handsome and passionate King Henry VIII.

Markimdb: 6.9
Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
CountryCzech Republic, United Kingdom, France, USA
Duration02:31

The inspiring true story of Seretse Khama, the King of Bechuanaland (modern Botswana), and Ruth Williams, the London office worker he married in 1948 in the face of fierce opposition from their families and the British and South African governments. Seretse and Ruth defied family, Apartheid and empire - their love triumphed over every obstacle flung in their path and in so doing they transformed their nation and inspired the world.

Markimdb: 7.3
Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom, USA
Duration01:40

From Academy Award® winners Graham King and Martin Scorsese, along with the makers of Gosford Park and The Departed, comes the story of Queen Victoria’s early rise to power. From an object of a royal power-struggle to her romantic courtship and legendary marriage to Prince Albert, Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) gives a stunning performance as the young Victoria. Packed with drama, romance, breath-taking cinematography, lavish costumes and featuring an outstanding British cast including Jim Broadbent, Harriet Walter, Mark Strong, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson, and Rupert Friend, The Young Victoria has captivated British audiences, and is the film that Company magazine called “an epic British film, which will sweep you up in her remarkable story.”

Markimdb: 7
Genredrama, military, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom, USA

Disgusted with the policies of King Charles I, Oliver Cromwell plans to take his family to the New World. But on the eve of their departure, Cromwell is drawn into the tangled web of religion and politics that will result in the English Civil War.

Markimdb: 7.4
Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
CountryFrance, Italy, Germany
Duration02:39

The night of August 24, 1572, is known as the Massacre of St. Bartholomew. In France a religious war is raging. In order to impose peace a forced wedding is arranged between Margot de Valois, sister of the immature Catholic King Charles IX, and the Hugenot King Henri of Navarre. Catherine of Medici maintains her behind-the-scenes power by ordering assaults, poisonings, and instigations to incest.

Markimdb: 6.3
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom, USA
Duration02:04

In 1561, Mary Stuart, widow of the King of France, returns to Scotland, reclaims her rightful throne and menaces the future of Queen Elizabeth I as ruler of England, because she has a legitimate claim to the English throne. Betrayals, rebellions, conspiracies and their own life choices imperil both Queens. They experience the bitter cost of power, until their tragic fate is finally fulfilled.

Markimdb: 5.7
Genremelodrama, drama, adventure, biography, history
CountryUSA, Morocco
Duration03:10

A chronicle of Gertrude Bell's life, a traveler, writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer, and political attaché for the British Empire at the dawn of the twentieth century.

Markimdb: 5.8
Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
CountryFinland, Canada, Germany, Sweden
Duration02:24

A portrait of the brilliant, extravagant Kristina of Sweden, queen from age six, who fights the conservative forces that are against her ideas to modernize Sweden and who have no tolerance for her awakening sexuality.

Markimdb: 7.8
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom, USA
Duration02:28

King Henry II of England has trouble with the Church. When the Archbishop of Canterbury dies, he has a brilliant idea. Rather than appoint another pious cleric loyal to Rome and the Church, he will appoint his old drinking and wenching buddy, Thomas Becket, technically a deacon of the church, to the post. Unfortunately, Becket takes the job seriously and provides abler opposition to Henry.

Markimdb: 6.4
Genreaction, drama, military, biography, history
CountryThailand
Duration02:04

During the 16th century, as Thailand contends with both a civil war and Burmese invasion, a beautiful princess rises up to help protect the glory of the Kingdom of Ayothaya. Based on the life of Queen Suriyothai.

Markimdb: 8
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom, USA, Australia
Duration01:58

The King's Speech tells the story of the man who became King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II. After his brother abdicates, George ('Bertie') reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a dreaded stutter and considered unfit to be king, Bertie engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue. Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country into war.

Markimdb: 7.8
Genremelodrama, drama, history
CountryUSA
Duration02:01

The exciting story of Dr. Manette, who escapes the horrors of the infamous Bastille prison in Paris. The action switches between London and Paris on the eve of the revolution where we witness 'the best of times and the worst of times' - love, hope, the uncaring French Aristocrats and the terror of a revolutionary citizen's army intent on exacting revenge.

Markimdb: 7.1
Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom
Duration02:22

The death of King Henry VIII throws his kingdom into chaos because of succession disputes. His weak son Edward, is on his deathbed. Anxious to keep England true to the Reformation, a scheming minister John Dudley marries off his son, Guildford to Lady Jane Grey, whom he places on the throne after Edward dies. At first hostile to each other, Guildford and Jane fall in love. But they cannot withstand the course of power which will lead to their ultimate downfall.

Markimdb: 5.6
Genreaction, melodrama, drama, adventure, military, biography, history
CountryUSA, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, Morocco, Thailand
Duration02:55

    Alexander, the King of Macedonia, leads his legions against the giant Persian Empire. After defeating the Persians, he leads his army across the then known world, venturing farther than any westerner had ever gone, all the way to India.

    Markimdb: 7.4
    Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
    CountryUSA
    Duration02:37

    The young Austrian princess Marie Antoinette is arranged to marry Louis XVI, future king of France, in a politically advantageous marriage for the rival countries. The opulent Marie indulges in various whims and flirtations. When Louis XV passes and Louis XVI ascends the French throne, his queen's extravagant lifestyle earns the hatred of the French people, who despise her Austrian heritage.

    Markimdb: 6.5
    Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
    CountrySpain, Italy, Portugal, France
    Duration01:57

    The love story who transformed Juana I de Castilla, Queen of Spain, into Juana "The mad". The tragic fate of a Queen madly in love to an unfaithful husband, Felipe el Hermoso, Archduke of Austria.

    Markimdb: 7.4
    Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
    CountryUSA, United Kingdom
    Duration01:58

    The true story of William Wilberforce and his courageous quest to end the British slave trade. Along the way, Wilberforce meets intense opposition, but his minister urges him to see the cause through.

    Markimdb: 7.3
    Genrethriller, melodrama, drama, crime, military, biography
    CountryUnited Kingdom, USA, Luxembourg, China
    Duration01:37

    The true story of British intelligence whistleblower Katharine Gun who—prior to the 2003 Iraq invasion—leaked a top-secret NSA memo exposing a joint US-UK illegal spying operation against members of the UN Security Council. The memo proposed blackmailing member states into voting for war.

    Markimdb: 7.7
    Genremelodrama, drama, military, biography, history
    CountryUSA
    Duration02:14

    Alvin York a hillbilly sharpshooter transforms himself from ruffian to religious pacifist. He is then called to serve his country and despite deep religious and moral objections to fighting becomes one of the most celebrated American heroes of WWI.

    Markimdb: 6.8
    Genredrama, military, biography, history
    CountryUnited Kingdom, France, Germany, USA
    Duration01:54

    When Queen Elizabeth's reign is threatened by ruthless familial betrayal and Spain's invading army, she and her shrewd adviser must act to safeguard to the lives of her people.

    Markimdb: 7.1
    Genredrama, biography, history
    CountryUnited Kingdom, USA
    Duration02:08

    Mary Stuart, who was named Queen of Scotland when she was only six days old, is the last Roman Catholic ruler of Scotland. She is imprisoned at the age of 23 by her cousin Elizabeth Tudor, the English Queen and her arch adversary. Nineteen years later the life of Mary is to be ended on the scaffold and with her execution the last threat to Elizabeth's throne has been removed. The two Queens with their contrasting personalities make a dramatic counterpoint to history.

    Markimdb: 7.5
    Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
    CountryDenmark, Sweden, Czech Republic, Germany
    Duration02:17

    A young queen falls in love with her physician, and they start a revolution that changes their nation forever.

    Markimdb: 7.1
    Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
    CountryUnited Kingdom, USA
    Duration01:30

    An outwardly confident but unmarried woman on the verge of her fortieth birthday reflects on her past suitors and the choices she once made while attempting to help her marriage minded niece choose between a number of potential suitors in this tale inspired by the life and letters of Jane Austen. Jane Austen is about to turn forty, but she still hasn't found her ideal man. When Jane is approached by her niece Fanny and asked to help select the perfect husband for the young girl, the aging spinster begins to wonder why it is that she never found a man to share her own life with. Perhaps if Jane had accepted the proposal of a wealthy landowner she could have saved her family from financial ruin, and what of the handsome young physician who once warmed to Jane after tending to her ailing family members?

    Markimdb: 6.3
    Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
    CountryUSA
    Duration01:50

    In Marseilles, France in 1794, Desiree Clary, a young millinery clerk, becomes infatuated with Napoleon Bonaparte, but winds up wedding Genaral Jean-Baptiste Berandotte, an aid to Napoleon who later joins the forces that bring about the Emperor's downfall. Josephine Beauharnais, a worldly courtesan marries Napoleon and becomes Empress of France, but is then cast aside by her spouse when she proves unable to produce an heir to the throne.

    Markimdb: 7.3
    Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
    CountryUSA
    Duration03:15

    An account of the revolutionary years of the legendary American journalist John Reed (1887-1920), who shared his adventurous professional life with his radical commitment to the socialist revolution in Russia, his dream of spreading its principles among the members of the American working class, and his troubled romantic relationship with the writer Louise Bryant (1885-1936).

    Markimdb: 6.2
    Genredrama, military, biography, history
    CountryUnited Kingdom, Germany
    Duration01:42

    A recounting of the relationship between General Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell, as they try to cope with the consequences of deposing King Charles I.

    Markimdb: 7.3
    Genredrama, biography, history
    CountryUSA
    Duration02:00

    The assassination of the would be ruler of Rome at the hands of Brutus and company has tragic consequences for the idealist and the republic.

    Markimdb: 6.3
    Genremelodrama, drama, military, biography, history
    CountryTurkey
    Duration01:43

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    Markimdb: 5.8
    Genreaction, melodrama, drama, history
    CountryHong Kong, China

    After the death of her father, a woman is forced to take over as empress and fight to save her kingdom.

    Markimdb: 7.4
    Genredrama, biography, history
    CountryUnited Kingdom, USA
    Duration02:20

    Scotland, 11th century. Driven by the twisted prophecy of three witches and the ruthless ambition of his wife, warlord Macbeth, bold and brave, but also weak and hesitant, betrays his good king and his brothers in arms and sinks into the bloody mud of a path with no return, sown with crime and suspicion.

    Markimdb: 7.5
    Genrecomedy, drama, biography, history
    CountryUnited Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, USA
    Duration01:55

    England, early 18th century. The close relationship between Queen Anne and Sarah Churchill is threatened by the arrival of Sarah's cousin, Abigail Hill, resulting in a bitter rivalry between the two cousins to be the Queen's favourite.

    Markimdb: 6.7
    Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
    CountryUSA, United Kingdom
    Duration02:15

    A drama about explorer John Smith and the clash between Native Americans and English settlers in the 17th century.

    Markimdb: 7
    Genremelodrama, drama, biography
    CountryUSA
    Duration02:08

    In 1862, a young Englishwoman becomes royal tutor in Siam and befriends the King.

    Markimdb: 7.2
    Genremelodrama, drama, military, history
    CountryUSA
    Duration02:00

    The story of courtesan and dance-hall girl Emma Hamilton, including her relationships with Sir William Hamilton and Admiral Horatio Nelson and her rise and fall, set during the Napoleonic Wars.

    Markimdb: 6.5
    Genredrama, military, biography, history
    CountryUSA
    Duration02:10

    The film portrays MacArthur's (Gregory Peck) life from 1942, before the Battle of Bataan, to 1952, the time after he had been removed from his Korean War command by President Truman (Ed Flanders) for insubordination, and is recounted in flashback as he visits West Point.

    Markimdb: 6.6
    Genreaction, melodrama, drama, adventure, western, military, biography, history
    CountryUSA

    A story of love, friendship, survival and triumph spanning five decades from the Texas Revolution through the Civil War, Reconstruction and beyond.

    Markimdb: 6.8
    Genremelodrama, drama, military, history
    CountryUnited Kingdom, USA

    A German soldier tries to determine if the Dutch resistance has planted a spy to infiltrate the home of Kaiser Wilhelm in Holland during the onset of World War II, but falls for a young Jewish Dutch woman during his investigation.

    Markimdb: 6.8
    Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
    CountryUnited Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, USA
    Duration02:45

    Queen Victoria strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young Indian clerk named Abdul Karim.

    Markimdb: 7.1
    Genredrama, biography, history
    CountryUSA
    Duration02:18

    Charlton Heston stars as Renaissance artist Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (6 March 1475 – 18 February 1564), who begrudgingly paints the Sistine Chapel for imperious Pope Julius II in this epic adaptation of Irvine Stone's novel directed by Carol Reed. While the novel covers Michelangelo's life from birth to death, the film focuses on the battle of wills between the perfectionist artist and the impatient Pope who commissions (and eventually commands) him to paint the famed chapel.

    Markimdb: 7.2
    Genremelodrama, drama, military, biography, history
    CountryItaly, USA
    Duration02:52

    Epic film of the legendary Spanish hero, Rodrigo Diaz ("El Cid" to his followers), who, without compromising his strict sense of honour, still succeeds in taking the initiative and driving the Moors from Spain.

    Markimdb: 7
    Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
    CountryLuxembourg, United Kingdom, USA
    Duration04:03

    Historical epic. The triumphs and tragedy of the Egyptian queen, Cleopatra.The winner of four Oscars, this epic saga of love, greed and betrayal stars Elizabeth Taylor as the passionate and ambitious Egyptian queen who's determined to hold on to the throne and seduces the Roman emperor Julius Caesar (Rex Harrison). When Caesar is murdered, she redirects her attentions to his general, Marc Antony (Richard Burton), who vows to take power -- but Caesar's successor (Roddy McDowall) has other plans.

    Markimdb: 7.7
    Genremelodrama, drama, adventure, biography, history
    CountryUSA
    Duration02:12

    Fletcher Christian successfully leads a revolt against the ruthless Captain Bligh on the HMS Bounty. However, Bligh returns one year later, hell bent on avenging his captors.

    Markimdb: 7.5
    Genremelodrama, drama, history
    CountryUSA
    Duration01:44

    During the 18th century, German noblewoman Sophia Frederica, who would later become Catherine the Great, travels to Moscow to marry the dimwitted Grand Duke Peter, the heir to the Russian throne. Their arranged marriage proves to be loveless, and Catherine takes many lovers, including the handsome Count Alexei, and bears a son. When the unstable Peter eventually ascends to the throne, Catherine plots to oust him from power.

    Markimdb: 6.8
    Genredrama, military, biography, history
    CountryUSA
    Duration01:40

    The queen of Egypt barges the Nile and flirts with Mark Antony and Julius Caesar.

    Markimdb: 4.4
    Genredrama, adventure, biography, history
    CountryUnited Kingdom, USA, Spain
    Duration02:00

    Genoan navigator Christopher Columbus has a dream to find an alternative route to sail to the Indies, by traveling west instead of east, across the unchartered Ocean sea. After failing to find backing from the Portugese, he goes to the Spanish court to ask Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand for help. After surviving a grilling from the Head of the Spanish Inquisition Tomas de Torquemada, he eventually gets the blessing from Queen Isabella and sets sail in three ships to travel into the unknown. Along the way he must deal with sabotage from Portugese spies and mutiny from a rebellious crew.

    Markimdb: 5.5
    Genredrama, biography, history
    CountryLuxembourg, France

    The life and death of the Scottish monarch.

    Markimdb: 6.2
    Genrecomedy, melodrama, drama, military, biography, history
    CountryUnited Kingdom
    Duration02:09

    The aging Caesar finds himself intrigued by the young Egyptian queen. Adapted by George Bernard Shaw from his own play.

    Markimdb: 7
    Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
    CountryUnited Kingdom
    Duration01:30

    In Moscow in 1983, an American journalist interviews Guy Bennett, who recalls his last year at public school, fifty years before, and how it contributed to him becoming a spy.




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