Frock Flicks - Costume Movie Reviews

A metaphor of 1980s consumer consumption and post-punk isolation, plus hardcore costume porn. Remember, what happens in Le Petit Trianon, stays in Le Petit Trianon.

Is the Virgin Queen really a virgin? Does it matter? And check out the puffy pants on the studly dude who'll later be flying around in a police call box. Bollywood meets Shakespeare in England's first golden age.

Ah, the great clash of history versus historical fiction! A best-selling book that toys liberally with the facts of Henry VIII and the two Boleyn sisters gets blown up on the big screen. Is it even more historically inaccurate than the novel? Does it matter? You may be surprised at what we think...

Instead of watching a movie, we quiz a live, studio audience about costume trivia! Tune into the gang at Costume-Con 26, where we boldly went where no historical cosutmers had podcasted before. NPR fans, frequent eBayers, and Showtime snarkers may get a giggle out of this episode.

Regency England gets an Indian flair in this adaption of William Makepeace Thackeray's novel. But this isn't just another Bollywood-ization -- the Indian themes are carefully woven into the story and visual effects. This could be the anti-Austen with nary a dull muslin gown in sight.

Fabulous 18th century costumes plus bad casting makes 'The Affair of the Necklace' (2001) a contradictory endeavor. Listen as we analyze the costumes, praise Adrien Brody's towel, and ramble on about historical underwear.

Power and intrigue at the Vatican during the Italian Renaissance. Listen as we geek out on shoes and eyeglasses, discuss historical body ideals, and bemoan the shy guys.

Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as Henry VIII and a whole bunch of bad rental costumes ... and it only goes downhill from there!

Time travel to 18th-century Scotland, and debate historical hygiene while you're at it!

Over the top costumes, weird casting choices, and baby eating, all in time for Halloween!

Two great movies in one, from the luscious court of King Charles II to a poignant tale of a doctor realizing his calling.

Nearly perfect adaption of the Louisa May Alcott book.

Fabulous hats, fabulous costumes, and lots of tortured romance - what's not to love?

A fascinating, if not entirely accurate, story of a mixed-race aristocratic woman in 18th century England.

Another look at Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, but this time through Thomas Cromwell's eyes, with stunning Tudor costumes.

Hot, disaffected Aidan Turner scything in late 18th-century Cornwall, while falling in and out of love.

Proto-feminist Kate Winslet, brooding Belgian Matthias Schoenaerts, and not enough of the awesome Alan Rickman play around in muddy Versailles gardens.

We quizzed a live Costume College audience about movie and TV costume trivia for fun and trivial prizes.

We discuss the costumes worn in the first episode of Downton Abbey's final season.

We discuss the costumes worn in the second episode of Downton Abbey's final season.

We discuss the costumes worn in the third episode of Downton Abbey's final season.

We discuss the costumes worn in the fourth episode of Downton Abbey's final season.

We discuss the costumes worn in the fifth episode of Downton Abbey's final season.

We discuss the costumes worn in the sixth episode of Downton Abbey's final season.

We discuss the costumes worn in the seventh episode of Downton Abbey's final season.

We discuss the costumes worn in the eighth episode of Downton Abbey's final season.

We discuss the costumes worn in the series finale of Downton Abbey.

We take on the modern classic of 18th-century historical costume film.

We discuss the costumes worn in Outlander's second season, episode one.

We discuss the costumes worn in Outlander's second season, episode two.

We discuss the costumes worn in Outlander's second season, episode three.

We discuss the costumes worn in Outlander's second season, episode four.

We discuss the costumes worn in Outlander's second season, episode five.

We discuss the costumes worn in Outlander's second season, episodes six and seven.

We discuss the costumes worn in Outlander's second season, episode eight.

We discuss the costumes worn in Outlander's second season, episodes nine and ten.

We discuss the costumes worn in Outlander's second season, episode eleven.

We discuss the costumes worn in Outlander's second season, episodes twelve and thirteen, and the second season in general.

We look at this gothic-horror story chock full of elaborate late Victorian costumes.

For Snark Week, we take on that clunker of medieval Scotland' Braveheart. Oh yes, shitty kilts, stretch panne velvet, and patriarchy abounds. We're joined by Scottish dress historian Brenna Barks.

Get a taste of our subscription-only Patreon podcasts with this preview where we discuss what we've been watching recently, including Victoria and Six Wives with Lucy Worsley. Plus we look at how criticism fits in an academic and journalistic context.

We kickoff our new podcast format with bits of news from the costume drama world, a behind-the-scenes look at Frock Flicks HQ, and a review of the first episodes of Versailles season two. Get your snark on for a monthly or twice monthly romp through historical costume movies and TV.

We discuss the Association of Dress Historians conference in London and give you an inside peek at what's coming up with costume movies and TV as well as what's in the works for the blog. Next, we do in-depth reviews of the TV series Jamestown, which has aired in the UK, as well as Gunpowder, which stars Kit Harrington and is coming soon to HBO. Get your snark on for a monthly or twice monthly romp through historical costume movies and TV.

We review this tale of court intrigue set in the early 18th century.

We review this attempt at a biopic about the famous Scottish queen.

We review the Crawley clan's jump from TV to the big screen.

We review this late 18th century-set French film.

We review this comedic look at Catherine the Great.

We review this comedic look at Catherine the Great.

We review this comedic look at Catherine the Great.