Lynn's Costume Movie Desktop Themes

Lynn's Costume Movie Screensavers

Remember, by downloading any of my desktop enhancements, you are agreeing to my TERMS OF USE .

This Webshots screensaver program runs on Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, ME and XP only. My apologies to all non-Windows users. To DOWNLOAD, click on the button next to the title. The file is self-extracting, so simply unzip it, click on the setup icon, and the file will automatically install.

AGE OF INNOCENCE - Martin Scorcese's film adaptation of Edith Wharton's Pulitzer Prize winning novel is wonderful. Not only was Scorcese faithful to Wharton's original story, but his team spent over two and a half years researching behaviors, manners, dress, furnishings....all the details of the 19th century American "aristocracy" which shaped the entire story. Every last minute of that meticulous research is reflected in the lush yet repressed tone of this film, and Wharton's recurring theme of marriage as a trap is clearly demonstrated. My screensaver features many 800 X 600 images from this beautiful film, including some unusual views of the interiors, costumed extras, and of course, lots of Michelle, Daniel and Winona photos as well.

AMADEUS - Lots of still photos from this lavish production! Although the story takes place in Vienna, this movie was actually filmed in Prague and the filmmakers utilized all the 18th century splendor of the city streets, palaces and theaters. This film was beautifully photographed and features some gorgeous costumes and settings, not to mention the intriguing life and fabulous music of Mozart.

CLEOPATRA - Lots of colorful scenes from this "guilty pleasure" 1960 film version of "Cleopatra." I love to imagine what the great cities and palaces of the ancient world must have really looked like in their heyday, and this film offers some dazzling possibilities. Liz Taylor is at the peak of her beauty in this film, while Richard Burton captures the pleasure-loving complacency of Antony to perfection. And too often overlooked, IMO, is Roddy McDowell's fine portrayal of the young, cold, calculating and politically astute Octavian, who was later to become the first emperor of Rome -- Augustus.

DANGEROUS BEAUTY - This film is based on the true story of Venetian courtesan Veronica Franco. Although she loved the local rich kid, Marco, she had no dowry and no social position, so marriage was out of the question. She was forced into the life of a courtesan by her mother and grew to appreciate the freedom it afforded her, freedoms that no other woman of her time was allowed to enjoy, such as access to education, libraries and learning. This saver includes many of the beautiful matte paintings and scenes of Renaissance Venice that were used in the film.

GLADIATOR - Well, I must admit that this newest sword and sandals epic now ranks right up there with some of my other costume favorites! I've always been interested in ancient civilizations, particularly the Roman Empire, and while this film did not attempt to sugar coat the harsh realities of Roman life, I chose instead to include photos which feature the magnificent costumes and settings of the ancient empire, rather than too many arena scenes. O.K., there may be a few close ups of the hunky Russell Crowe too (*grin*)

GONE WITH THE WIND - If you love this film like I do, I think you are really going to like my GWTW screensaver. All photos are 800x600, full color, and feature not only some of the most memorable moments of the film, but some of the more obscure ones as well, like the scene where Rhett and Scarlett push Bonnie in the carriage, and the honeymoon scene aboard the riverboat. This Civil War epic is my all time favorite movie.

LAST OF THE MOHICANS - Another wonderfully photographed film, this time set against the backdrop of the stunning natural beauty of rural North Carolina, where the movie was made. Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeleine Stowe are perfectly cast as the heroic frontier scout Hawkeye and Cora, the lovely daughter of Fort William Henry's Colonel Munro. If this screensaver seems to feature a lot of close-ups of Daniel Day-Lewis, well, what can I say? Talk about stunning natural beauty! (*grin*)

MASTER & COMMANDER FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD - How happy am I? Another fantastic costume film starring arguably the most talented actor in films today, Russell Crowe. I can’t say enough good things about this Peter Weir production, everything about it is top drawer. The juxtaposition of early 19th century naval warfare against age of enlightenment scientific discoveries creates an exciting and mesmerizing adventure story, while the outstanding cinematography seamlessly blends actual and computer generated footage. My screensaver features lots of 800 x 600 full color film scenes so you can revisit Captain Jack Aubrey, Lieutenant Tom Pullings, Doctor Steven Maturin and and the adventures of the HMS Surprise just by idling your computer.

MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY - Captain Bligh, along with his supporters, was cast adrift on an open launch, but managed to navigate it over 3,000 nautical miles to the Dutch island colony of Timor. Fletcher Christian and the other mutineers arrived on the remote Pitcairn Island. However, when an American whaling ship discovered the island eighteen years later, only one crew member remained, along with numerous Tahitian women and children. Although his fate is still uncertain to this day, Christian is presumed to have been the victim of a murderous encounter between his shipmates. My screensaver features many colorful scenes from this Dino DeLaurentis production, and in my opinion, it is the best film version of this mysterious and enduring tale.

THE RED VIOLIN - As I mentioned to my sister while I was recommending this film to her, if you like to watch "Antiques Roadshow," you'll probably love this movie! The story of the violin, its journey and the lives it touches throughout the centuries is echoed by a mysterious Tarot reading in Renaissance Italy, and of course, the soundtrack is wonderful as well. My saver includes scenes of all the characters who are influenced by this treasured instrument, as well as all the beautiful cities and landscapes of its ever-changing home.

SCARLET PIMPERNEL - 1982 - This story of dual identity, danger, romance and chivalry has to be one of the most enduring ever - why else would there be several different movie versions, a Broadway play, and books that are still popular a century after they were written? This 1982 BBC film version is an exceptional adaptation, and this saver features many 800x600 full color images for you to enjoy as they cycle through on your computer.

SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET - I suppose that calling this film a costume movie is a stretch, but I can't help it, I love this movie! Brad Pitt stars in this moving story of the arrogant 1930's Austrian mountain climber Heinrich Harrer, and the unwilling yet life-altering physical and spiritual journey he embarks upon in Tibet. This true adventure was embellished a bit for the sake of storytelling, but one element of the story was unknown during filming -- Harrer had not only been a member of the Nazi Party, he had also been a sergant in the SS. His experiences in Tibet and his friendship with the young Dalai Lama prompted him upon his return to Austria to dedicate his life to human rights. Lots of colorful scenes from this wonderful film.

SOMEWHERE IN TIME - What would a good costume movie be without Jane Seymour? She just looks like she belongs in an earlier century, which is what this film is all about, of course. My screensaver features some of the best known scenes from this movie, including my personal favorite -- the moment Richard sees the little boy in the lobby and realizes that it is Arthur, the elderly bellman he encountered before traveling back in time.

VALMONT - Another beautifully detailed film from "Amadeus" director Milos Forman, "Valmont" is based on the infamous 18th century French novel, "Les Liaisons Dangereuses." This film release coincided with the release of "Dangerous Liaisons," an admittedly more popular and yet somehow "over the top" film version of the same story. I've seen both films and in my opinion, Colin Firth and Fairuza Balk are far more convincing as the womanizing Valmont and the virginal Cecile (respectively), while Annette Bening portrays her character's two-faced sinister charm with a subtlety that just doesn't exist in the other version. My screensaver features some beautiful still images from this film for you to enjoy, and if you think you recognize Chateau de Versailles in some of the exterior shots, you're correct! Portions of the movie were filmed on location at Versailles.