One does not simply have a Man Candy Monday without Sean Bean. We’re sorry we’ve gone this long without him! Though we’ve celebrated his birthday on Facebook, it’s about time we gave him his due here on the blog. Thus, here’s the Frock Flicks guide to Sean Bean in historical costume movies, chronologically arranged…
Caravaggio (1986) — Ranuccio
The title character is the famous 17th-century painter, and Sean Bean plays one of his models and lovers. The costumes are by Sandy Powell, but who’s looking at the costumes here?
Troubles (1988) — Captain Bolton
A TV miniseries set in 1919 Ireland. Never heard of it, but Bean looks good in a uniform (this will be a running theme in Sean Bean historical costume movies).
The Fifteen Streets (1989) — Dominic O’Brien
A romantic TV movie set in northern England around 1900. Another one I’ve never heard of, but it was apparently nominated for an Emmy.
Lorna Doone (1990) — Carver Doone
Sean Bean plays the bad guy against Clive Owen’s good guy in this 17th-century TV movie set in Scotland.
This is my buckle, & verily, I shall swash it.
Clarissa (1991) — Lovelace
Another villain, this one dressed in fine silks and fancy wigs. Here, Sean Bean is an elegant rake in this excellent TV miniseries, based on Samuel Richardson’s 18th-century tale.
Who loves the lay-deez?
Sharpe‘s Rifles (1993) — Richard Sharpe
The first of 16 TV movies (the last was in 2008) about this ruggedly awesome British soldier during the Napoleonic wars.
Lady Chatterley (1993) — Mellors
Who wouldn’t cheat on her husband for Sean Bean? This historical costume TV miniseries, based on the D.H. Lawrence novel, makes a good case for adultery.
Black Beauty (1994) — Farmer Grey
Set in 1870s England, the story is told from the horse’s point of view. Here’s a picture of Sean Bean and the horse, for thems who like that sort of thing.
Scarlett (1994) — Lord Richard Fenton
This TV miniseries is based on a book that tells what happened after Gone With the Wind ends. Like many of these kinds of stories, it’s pretty cheesy, but Sean Bean as one of Scarlett’s suitors is still hot.
Anna Karenina (1997) — Vronsky
As Kendra has said before, this is the only Anna Karenina you’ll ever need to watch, not the least of which is because of Sean Bean as Vronsky.
The Lord of the Rings (2001-03) — Boromir
OK, not a historical costume movie, but it’s a great costume and role, and Sean Bean’s lines are totally iconic.
Blow that horn, baby.
Henry VIII (2003) — Robert Aske
In the second episode of this miniseries, Bean’s character leads the Pilgrimage of Grace against King Henry, which leads to Robert Aske getting executed. Yep, it’s a theme in his TV and film roles.
At least Sean got a decent costume.
Troy (2004) — Odysseus
For the Trojan War, Sean Bean gets to be the king and fight the good fight.
Crusoe (2008-10) — James Crusoe
Looks like Sean Bean played the dad here (but I couldn’t access the series). Mid-rate 18th-century costumes, apparently.
Black Death (2010) — Ulrich
A horror film set in 1348 during the plague … hmm, even starring Sean Bean, this historical costume movie hasn’t been high on my list. Anyone see it?
Age of Heroes (2011) — Maj. Jack Jones
The story of Ian Fleming’s commando unit in World War II, this is more of the hot Sean Bean in uniform action we know and love.
Game of Thrones (2011) — Eddard Stark
Again, not strictly historical, but how can you not love noble, doomed Ned Stark?
The Frankenstein Chronicles (2015) — John Marlott
This six-part historical costume TV series starts in the U.K. later this year (no word on when it’s coming to he U.S.). It’s set in 1827 London, and Sean Bean plays an inspector looking into horrific crimes.
What’s your favorite Sean Bean historical costume movie?
I’d have to say all the Sharpe’s series since I haven’t seen most of the others. Now, think about this: I believe that one of the nicknames for Sean is Sawney, which would make out hero Sawney Bean. If you don’t get that one, look it up.
I’m a huge Sharpe fan, and Bean’s performance in that series made me try to check out everything else he’d done before (not to mention after). He was the best part of “LotR,” and I really want them to do a “Troy” follow up and follow Odysseus back home.
I don’t know who you are, but I love you and you now have an avid follower.
The black death has to be one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen.
Would it be possible, for an upcoming MCM, to cover the historical films of the ORGINAL Sharpe? (Paul McGann, who also looks lovely in uniforms)
Yoiks, he looked unexpectedly like Leonardo di Caprio in that 1986 picture! And weirdly like Jaime Lannister in 1993.
WHOA but some of these movies look cheesy. Ultra-cheesy. Gorgonzola-level cheesy.
Sean Bean became my ultimate dream man when I was 12. My overall taste in men underwent some changes – I’m 30 now- but despite whoever was new and sexy on my radar Sean Bean remained at top of my list until 2005 (when I discovered Benedict Cumberbatch). He is still in my top five. His body may age, but that piercing gaze has kept its intensity. Not to mention that VOICE.
Sharpe defines “a bit of rough trade.” While I imagine others were panting after Pitt in “Troy” I was scoping Sean. Can’t stomach the gore in “GOT”–too bad. I bought “Clarissa” the first thing I saw him in. But Boromir was nearly heart-breaking.
Eh, Black Death coulda been worse. It had Sean Bean and the Red Woman from GOT, who was plausibly offputting.
Not seen The Fifteen Streets? Go for it- melodrama, and nowt wrong with that!
I believe is also had ‘Ser Alliser Thorne’ as his brother- & the good guy… I can’t remember- it’s been an absolute age since I last saw it.
Sean was my favourite part of ‘Troy’, too- as another commenter said; a sequel with his Odysseus & the fall of Mycenaean Greece/ the Greek Dark Ages would be cool- the myths said the poor guy ended up being away from home for 20 years… twice as long as all the others!
no update on Frankenstein chronicles? Please =)
It never ended up airing in the U.S. (there was a basic cable deal the apparently fell thru), & it hasn’t been available for streaming. Plus, the only DVDs for sale are UK-only. WTFrock?!? Must be some weird rights issue.
its pretty good actually, but I have no idea if the costumes are good… feels like it though.Anna Maxwell Martins Mary Shelley’s costumes are what Im most curious about. Oh, spoiler alert… someone doesnt die in this one ;)
I just found out that it’s been picked up by NetFlix and will be available for streaming around the 20th of February 2008.