Three historical drama heroes to overwhelm

SLOUGH, ENGLAND:

Gather around, dear cultured film fans, and praise the greatest virtue of historical drama: the brooding hero. If there’s one thing you can count on in a historical drama, it’s the guaranteed presence of a tortured man who lets his eyes do the talking.

He could be a twisted, tormented, spurned lover in an adaptation of Emily Brontë (hello Heathcliff), or a proud man at war with his instincts in a Jane Austen film (yes, Mr. Darcy, your name has come up again ). No matter what inner conflict our hero is grappling with, his suffering is reflected in glorious Technicolor on his miserable, tortured face, setting the hearts of future generations racing. The heroine of the historical drama is the male equivalent of a magazine cover girl. There’s a good balance between looking tortured and constipated, but these three historical drama heroes were on the right side of that line. They never faltered on screen. May their spell never end.

Heathcliff (Ralph Fiennes)

Long before he took on the role of Harry Potter’s nemesis, Ralph Fiennes set hearts racing when he portrayed Brontë’s embittered anti-hero Heathcliff from Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. No woman in her right mind would ever want to marry this obsessive, vindictive man. However, that same woman might momentarily lose her mind upon seeing Fiennes’ perspective on this tragic figure. According to IMDb, Fiennes was so anxious to remain faithful to Heathcliff that he insisted on banging his head against a tree for one scene, just like his literary counterpart. He was so dedicated that he ended up drawing blood, but that didn’t stop him. Even if we don’t approve of such questionable behavior at all, it’s hard for us not to faint in front of that tortured face and those tortured eyes.

Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis)

In his prime, Daniel Day-Lewis was never an idiot when it came to looks. No director will ever say no to the wonderful combination of dark hair and expressive eyes, especially when the owner of this hair and these eyes can portray internal conflicts on his face. If The Age of Innocence has taught us anything, it’s that Day-Lewis is (was?) an expert in the department of internal conflict. His understated, nuanced performance as Newland has ensured that his face will live on in the minds of superficial period drama fans, regardless of how they feel about the actual plot of The Age of Innocence. For anyone who wants to learn how to fiercely face the internal battle, you’ve come to the right place. Look at a torn man, conflicted between personal desire and social obligation. Consider the dictionary definition of emotional restraint. Rave about the haunted eyes that are far more impactful than the brawny muscles of Marvel heroes.

Mr Darcy (Colin Firth)

How can we pay tribute to soulful historical drama stars without mentioning Colin Firth’s Mr. Darcy? Unlike Heathcliff, who had real problems, and Newland, who also had very real problems, Mr. Darcy’s biggest problem is the battle with his inner pride. He doesn’t have to struggle with feeling unwanted for decades, nor is he tied to a woman he doesn’t love. No, he’s just deeply in love with Elizabeth Bennet against his will. Are these unpleasant feelings causing him pain and turmoil? Fortunately, they cause him enormous problems, all of which are beautifully reflected in his scowl. If you’ve only seen Firth in Mamma Mia! Movies, do yourself a favor and find the BBC 1995 Pride and Prejudice. Go to the ends of the earth if you have to. Look at Mr. Darcy as he looks at Elizabeth playing the piano and tell your heart to be still. Keep smelling salts handy.