Dramatic films and television series
The Last Emperor by
An epic that details the life of Pu Yi, crowned at the age of three as the last emperor of China before the Communist reign. Follow him from his childhood to manhood to fugitive to puppet ruler to party proletariat.
Call Number: DVD VIDEO 935Publication Date: 1987
Le Roi Danse (The King is Dancing) by
Tells the story of Louis XIV, heir to the throne of France in the 17th century. The future king, a shy young man, has his destiny altered when musician Jean-Baptiste Lully and the famed playwright Molière enter his life. They immediately recognize the young king's talent for dance and with breathtaking artistry they compose and stage ballets that glorify his image. The young monarch is transformed into the Royal Dancer, The Sun King, a God on earth.
Publication Date: 2000
Ivan Groznyi (Ivan the Terrible) by
Part one is set in Moscow during the 16th century when Ivan Alexiev, Prince of Moscow, is crowned Tsar Ivan. This action puts him in direct opposition to all other royal families and Ivan finds himself isolated and alone in his attempt to centralize power under the crown. In Part two, Ivan returns to the throne after a self-imposed abdication to challenge the boyars, Russia's corrupt aristocracy. Betrayed by his oldest friend and surrounded by murderous court intrigues, he resorts to summary executions to secure his throne.
Publication Date: Part I, 1944; Part II, 1958
Mary, Queen of Scots by
Mary Stuart was named Queen of Scotland when she was only six days old. Mary would be the last Roman Catholic ruler of Scotland. She is imprisoned at the age of twenty-three by her cousin Elizabeth, the Queen of England and her arch adversary. Nineteen years later the life of Mary would end with her beheading. With her execution the last threat to Elizabeth's throne is finally removed. The two Queens with their contrasting personalities make a dramatic counterpoint to history.
Publication Date: 1971
Game of Thrones (season 1) by
Set in a world where summers span decades and winters can last a lifetime, seven powerful families are locked in a battle for the Iron Throne. This is a story of duplicity and treachery, nobility and honor, conquest, and triumph.
Publication Date: 2011
Kundun by
Presents a dramatization of the life and work of the current (14th) Dalai Lama. Tells the Dalai Lama's story from his birth in a remote area of Tibet, his identification as the new incarnation of the Dalai Lama, and his childhood and religious training in a still-isolated Tibet, through his flight to India after the Chinese invasion and his ongoing struggle to regain independence for Tibet.
Publication Date: 1997
Whale Rider by
The Whangara people believe their ancestor Paikea was saved from drowning by riding home on the back of a whale. The tribal group has since granted leadership positions to the first-born males, believing them to be descendants of Paikea. Pai, an 11-year-old girl in a patriarchal New Zealand tribe, believes she is destined to be the new chief.
Publication Date: 2002
