The Positive Influences of Costume Dramas

            Costume drama, or period drama, is a fairly large umbrella term in film and television. At first, one might think that only movies and series set between the 1800s and the 1920s can belong here, or that they have to be original pieces of work, but in reality the criteria are not so strict at all. In period drama the characters wear elaborate costumes and often use speech patterns particular to the era in which the story is set. The film or series can be an adaptation or a parody, as well;  it can depict life from as late as the 1980s, since fashion changes often in the world and a dress from 30 years ago can be worn as a costume now. Thanks to these elements, costume dramas have a great influence on the audience and tend to teach more than the avarage spectator notices they have learnt.

A well made costume drama can be a great tool of education. Almost any historical event can be adapted to screen, and though it may be hard work, if the result is both interesting and reasonably true to the facts, it can be very useful for teachers, as well as children. It is difficult to find the balance between precise work and dryness, excitement and sensationalism, but when it happens, valuable works are born.  These pieces are made to entertain, yet due to the creators’ effort put into researching and developing the story’s context they become a fruitful method of learning about a period.

 Downton Abbey is one of these pieces, constantly reminding us of the time setting with little mentions of influential individuals and affairs, including the Ponzi scheme and Elinor Glyn. This works the other way around as well, if they viewers are not familiar with the referred personage, they tend to look it up just to fully understand the jokes. Costume dramas also educate in more subtle ways. The audience learns how society at the given time functioned, how its members spoke, what was right, what was wrong, and what was possible or impossible, without having to have those norms stated directly.

Other than education, period dramas influence imagination, encouraging the viewer to think and dream within a different set of rules, and promote the fashion and style of the given era. These attributes have a positive impact in economic terms as well; they help create and sustain jobs, such as the costume maker’s or the designer’s, and even the historian’s who is consulted when a period drama is still in the planning phase. Viewers of costume dramas also often wish to be part of their favourite eras, at least for a short while. This desire has given rise to a unique branch of tourism where guests take upon themselves the roles of characters from the past for the length of a mystery dinner or a whole weekend and try to solve a crime. One may also think of fancy dress parties where the costumes are often rented, bringing income to smaller companies.

In conclusion, well made period dramas influence both the audience and the surrounding world constructively, improving everybody’s life a little bit. All viewers can take what they need most, be it knowledge, a broadening of sight, or a new path to financial security.