Greatest Ever Costume Dramas Collection: Volume 1

Collection of five period dramas. In 'Elizabeth' (1998), it is 1554, and England is ruled by the fervently Catholic Queen Mary (Kathy Burke), whose persecution of Protestants even extends to her own half-sister, Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett).

When Mary dies, Elizabeth succeeds to the throne, but finds her country under threat from the Scots, French and Spanish.

Although conducting an affair with Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester (Joseph Fiennes), Elizabeth is urged by her advisors to wed and produce an heir.

Meanwhile, plots against her are being hatched by the Catholic bishops, and Elizabeth soon becomes the target of an assassination attempt.

In 'A Room with a View' (1986), at the turn of the century, Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham-Carter) has her passions stirred by young George Emerson (Julian Sands) while on holiday in Italy.

On her return to Surrey she tries to put George behind her, but becomes increasingly disillusioned with her dull fiance, Cecil (Daniel Day-Lewis).

In 'Sense and Sensibility' (1995), Emma Thompson stars in and provides the screenplay for this adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel.

Thompson plays Elinor, the eldest of sisters who are reduced in means when their father dies and his estate passes on to his son from his first marriage.

They are soon accepted into their new society, each finding romance, but with some pain along the way.

In 'The Age of Innocence' (1993), Martin Scorsese's adaptation of Edith Wharton's scathing account of the tribal customs of the 19th century New York elite, Newland Archer (Day-Lewis) is betrothed to the demure May Welland (Winona Ryder), a sensible girl who befits his respectable social position.

But when May's cousin, the beautiful and sophisticated Countess Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer), returns from a scandalous divorce in Europe, she provokes a passionate and uncontrollable love in Newland.

With his reputation in the balance, Newland must now choose between following his heart or conforming to social convention.

Finally, in 'The Remains of the Day' (1993), Stevens (Anthony Hopkins) is the perfect English butler, a man who has spent the best part of his working life in service at Darlington Hall.

Housekeeper Miss Kenton (Thompson) also works at Darlington, and as the days pass, she and Stevens develop a close feeling for each other.

Meanwhile, as the Second World War approaches, Lord Darlington (James Fox)'s wish to avert catastrophe leads him to become involved with the Nazis.