The Duchess

 

One thing I love about winter is that it is the season when I get caught up on all the great (and not so great) movies I have been wanting to see. It's cold outside, there's nowhere to go, what better amusement than to pop a dvd in for the evening. Over the weekend, I rented The Duchess starring Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes. This was a fabulous movie and if like me you are into period movies, you'll love this one. I have always loved Ralph Fiennes, and Keira Knightley from even before Pirates fame in Bend it Like Beckham. I didn't know much about her character, which is based on the true story of Georgiana Spencer, the Duchess of Devonshire. I think what really fascinated me was the similarities between Georgiana's story and that of her more recent relative, Princess Diana, how they were both so lovely and beloved by the English people, and ended up in loveless marriages. It's spooky in a way, that this 18th century noblewoman's story holds significant similarities to her descendant's, some hundred years later. So this next vintage image is in honor of Georgiana. She certainly looks like a duchess or nobility of some sort.

And thank you for all the immensely kind comments you left and the emails you've sent, it gladdened me to know that you all are enjoying the images and that you can use them. I'll keep posting them until I run out, which won't be for a long while yet! And if you have any favorite period movies, please post and tell me what they are -- there are plenty of long cold evenings ahead until spring arrives, sigh!

Comments

[tamara nicole]

I loved the dutchess, but it was quite sad! A movie that's similar is "The other boleyn girl".

[Kimberly Wilder]

Thanks for writing about Georgiana and the movie.

I am a huge fan of Georgiana the Duchess of Devonshire.

I just started a new blog Georgiana Circle: Women Healing History. Thought you and/or your readers might like it.

I like the vintage image above. Somehow I think that the woman is not truly a duchess or nobility, because the outfit is too simple, and there are no jewels. But, I guess she could be a noblewoman dressed for casual.

[alekhasmommy]

Hmmm, I think you're right Kimberly. I guess I was looking at her fancy hairstyle, but on second thought, the hat and lack of jewels certainly leads one to conclude that she is not a noblewoman but a lady, I suppose, nonetheless. Thanks for pointing that out and I will definitely check out your blog!

[Tina]

I will definetly check out this movie-- I love period movies. Have you seen " The Other Bolyn Girl" or " Elizabeth". Elizabeth (with Kate Blanchet) is one of my all time favorite movies. Another one that just came to mind "Shakespeare in Love", great movie

[Lisa Martinez]

I love "The Importance of Being Earnest". It is a very funny movie starring Colin Firth and Reese Witherspoon.

Also, "A Room with A View" and "Howards End" are both oldies but goodies. "Marie Antoinette" (with Kirsten Dunst) is delicious (until the end) and "Emma" is also good.

By the way, I look forward to the vintage images you have been posting. I think the girl with the pink roses will go beautifully with my new Jenni Bowlin kit!

Thanks for your inspiration!!

Lisa

[Charlene]

Thank you again for sharing all the images! One film I liked was Firelight w/Sophie Marceau & Stephen Dillane (1837 London setting) Have great week.

[Gloria Baures]

If you like Keira Knightly in period movies, you've probably already seen Pride and Prejudice w/her and some hot English guy whose name I can't think of right now. It's one of my favorites. *sigh* If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend it.

BTW, thanks for the Norah Jones tune-she's a Dallas native (or at least she went to school here) just like me!

[dina]

Just catching up on the posts. I love all the images, they are so pretty! If you like period movies, some good ones are The End of the Affair (that is with Ralph Fiennes also) and The Painted Veil. I really liked Elizabeth with Kate Blanchett too. HBO also had a 2 part mini-series on Elizabeth that was really good, that one was with Helen Mirren.