Topsy Turvy — A great Victorian film

I love to watch any film or documentary that deals with the Victorian era. The more historically accurate the details, the better.

One of my favorite films is "Topsy-Turvy." It tells the story of Gilbert & Sullivan during the time they were writing "The Mikado." Gilbert & Sullivan were masters of Victorian theatre. I really enjoy Gilbert & Sullivan operettas. They are so brilliantly witty, and I can just imagine the Victorians laughing at the same lines!

It's been ten years since this film was released, but a great story never gets old. The costumes and sets are amazing in their historical accuracy. The Japanese culture was something new and exciting for Great Britain, and it influenced almost all the Victorian arts beginning in the 1860s. The Americanized versions of Eastlake and Aesthetic furniture, hardware, and the decorative arts certainly have an Asian influence.

This movie lets us understand how those influences were introduced into Western society, and how intrigued the Victorians were with all things exotic. I recommend this movie for all lovers of Victoriana!

Related links:

Japonaiserie: Discovery, Adoption, Assimilation and Creation

The Late 19th Century Aesthetic Movement — un-Victorian Victorians

The Aesthetic Movement - Art for Art's Sake?

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