In many ways, the Taurus is the most stable sign in the zodiac, a foundation upon which many of the other signs can build themselves. They are also well-known for being very detail-oriented, ambitious, and exacting in what they expect of others.
Given this, it’s a bit counterintuitive to think that they might like a genre such as the period film, which is often known for taking liberties with the fact of history. However, there are more than a few of them out there that even the most exacting Taurus can enjoy.
Love: Belle (2013)
It’s very rare (though more common these days) to see people of color depicted in period dramas. This film is an exception to that rule since it focuses on Dido Elizabeth Belle, well-known for her for appearing in a painting alongside her cousin.
The film is, of course, beautiful, and Taurus will no doubt appreciate the attention to period detail and production design. The Taurus will also appreciate the thoughtful way in which the film uses the conventions of the genre to explore issues that it usually ignores.
Hate: Elizabeth (1998)
This film is an excellent example of why some period dramas will not be Taurus’s cup of tea. Though Cate Blanchett is a marvelous Elizabeth I, the film takes some truly egregious liberties with the history that it purports to depict, giving characters motivations that they didn’t have in real life and moving around events and places for sometimes inexplicable reasons.
Taurus will find it hard to enjoy a film that seems to have so little regard for what actually happened.
Love: Cold Mountain (2003)
It’s a wrenching and powerful film, full of emotion and pathos, and it will appeal to the softer side of Taurus’s nature, reminding them of the power of emotion and love.
Hate: The Borgias (2011-2013)
The Borgia family was one of the most infamous to have lived during the Renaissance. Led by Rodrigo, the man who would become Pope Alexander VI, they emerge in this series as a group of flawed but captivating politicians and scoundrels.
Taurus might enjoy some parts of this series, but its rather egregious handling of the known facts about history and about the family will probably be too much for them to be able to take this series very seriously at all.
Love: Amadeus (1984)
Though Taurus might not have much patience with the sort of liberties that period dramas often take with the historical record, this film is a little bit different. Unlike many others, it doesn’t take its history too seriously and, more importantly, it is very upfront about that fact.
In fact, the writer was upfront about the fact that he was writing a fantasia on the two central characters, Mozart and Salieri. It is precisely the fact that it calls attention to the construction of history that makes this an ideal choice for the Taurus.
Hate: Mrs. Brown (1997)
The image of Queen Victoria that has come down to subsequent generations is of a crusty and rather dowdy old woman, perpetually dressed in black as a sign of mourning for her dead husband Prince Albert. This film, which stars Judi Dench in the title role, focuses on her relationship with her Scottish groom John Brown.
Of course, the title suggests that there was something more than friendship between the two of them, and the impatient Taurus will probably have no use for this liberty.
Love: Call the Midwife (2012)
This period drama, set in the years after World War II, is exactly the kind of period piece that the Taurus will love. Rather than tackling the grander issues of history--which can lead to all sorts of accuracy errors--it focuses instead on the actions of a group of nurse-midwives and their local community.
It’s precisely the series’ focus on the domestic and the every day, sometimes with exacting detail, that ensures that the demanding Taurus will take a great deal of pleasure in it.
Hate: Victoria (2016-)
Queen Victoria has experienced something of a resurgence in the public consciousness, in large part because of the success of this series, which focuses in particular on her youth and romance with Albert.
It’s fairly faithful to history--though it does take some liberties with the known fact--but Taurus will probably find themselves a bit distracted by the rather subpar quality of the acting to really take much pleasure in the series or its cursory exploration of the politics of the era.
Love: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (2015)
For those Tauri who love both history and fantasy, this adaptation of the bestselling novel by Susanna Clarke is just the ticket. It’s a fascinating exploration of the nature of history and magic, made all the more potent by the fact that it features great production values and amazing performances by all of the major characters.
Taurus will also appreciate that it was very well-received by critics, who argued that it was very much part of the golden age of British drama.
Hate: Emma (1996)
The unfortunate thing about some period dramas is that they tend to take themselves too seriously. Likewise, they often become a bit self-indulgent, particularly when they star an actress like Gwyneth Paltrow.
That is certainly the case with this adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel. It’s one of those period dramas that knows that it’s charming and, while it definitely makes the most of that fact, Taurus will soon find themselves growing weary of the film’s cheekiness.