Last night I asked Twitter if “period drama” or “costume drama” is preferable.
I received exactly two responses, one in favor of each.
So I am opening up the floor, because I really need to know what everyone thinks about this CRITICALLY IMPORTANT ISSUE.
Thank you for your time.
Costume Drama seems more condescending “Oh, I was watching this DREADful COStume drama, so overwrought and REGENCY, dontcha know.”
Period drama makes more sense to me.
Allow me to elaborate on my response!
“Period drama” calls to mind calls to mind muted tones and the arranging of matches. I think it’s mostly the “drama” part that gets it there: period pieces, period films, and period pictures can be more diverse.
A “costume drama” comes attached with descriptors like “lush” and “sumptuous” and “frivolous”.
I mean, if the question was “Which would I watch?” then I would say a period drama, because I am a self-important intellectual who watches Films. But if the question is “Which sounds more appealing?” (which I though it was), then costume all the way. Nothing will blow up, but there’s 100% more chance of red taffeta.
Costume drama to me is like an opera: the plot is secondary to the costumes/songs.
Period drama is anything set in a particular time period not our own. This counts Unintended period pieces that were topical at the time they were made, but by their being topical are now time capsules of the worries and issues of the time.