Movies as research

I had planned on doing a post about dealing with rejection, but I really didn't want to. I've started research for my first novel, and some of the advice I've picked up is that if you're researching an era, it helps to watch movies set in that era. It helps to hear how people spoke, see what they wore, learn about the politics of the time, etc.

My novel will probably take place in the 1880s. It will either be set in Washington D.C., Charleston, Boston, Philadelphia, or Baltimore. I know, I know. Narrow it down. Even though most of the films I plan to watch are set in London or the Old West, it still helps to see how people dressed, what their attitudes were, what the pressing issues of the day were. I've got a bunch of trailers of the films that I think will be helpful.

Wilde, which I think begins in 1882. I don't understand how it's possible that I haven't seen a movie with Stephen Fry, Jude Law, and Michael Sheen.


The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford mostly takes place in the early 1880s. It's set pretty far away from the east coast but Jesse James' death was a huge deal in 1882, so location is meaningless - everybody knew. I think it's one of the best films of the last decade, so I don't need an excuse to re-watch it.


I believe Geronimo: An American Legend starts in 1885. I really need to re-watch this one because I barely remember it, but I do remember Wes Studi, being brilliant as always.


From Hell is set in London in 1888. I didn't love it, but it's about Jack the Ripper, and Johnny Depp is in it.


3:10 to Yuma is set in the 1880s. Like Jesse James, it's another one of my favorites from 2007 - which, in my opinion, was the best year for film of the last decade.


Do you watch movies to help with research? If you do, what movies have you watched that helped?