45 thoughts on “Top 5 Frock Flicks That Make Trystan Cry

  1. Does a Frock series count? If so Glenda Jackson’s Elizabeth R brings tears to my eyes. Jackson’s ERI is The benchmark for ERI, IMHO.
    The reason for the tears is that Ms Jackson conveys all the emotions for what Elizabeth Tudor gave up to be Queen, remain Queen, her contributions to England and Cecil – Robert – chooses James VI of Scotland. Drat down with the patriarchy. Okay, he had best claim, but Queen Elizabeth I never named a successor.

  2. Outlander has a few tear jerking moments: Jamie sending Claire back through the stones, Jamie leaving Willie behind, Claire leaving Brianna. I’m sure we’ll see more this next season.

  3. If you are into musicals, how about Carousel with Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones? Okay, Gordon is not exactly a great actor but that last scene where is tells Julie “Know that I loved you” always gets me bawling. I agree with Howard’s End, especially poor Leonard Bast’s story. And, of course, Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet. I can’t possibly watch that without crying.

  4. Thanks for mentioning “A Night to Remember”. I saw it on the late show years ago and had the same response you had.

  5. Speaking of musicals, Les Miserables made me weep on a plane the first time I saw it and pretty much every other time and incarnation I have seen it in. Also, Bright Star when Fanny finds out that Keats has died. Full-on bawling.

      1. I sob reading the book, watching the stage musical, AND watching the movie. Also, if you can watch “Cyrano deBergerac” without crying you have no soul.

  6. Anna and the King of Siam [Rex Harrison], West Side story, all versions I’ve seen reduce me to blubber, How Green was My Valley, Goodbye Mr Chips [original version and remake] etc etc. Pathetic aren’t we?!

  7. Somehow I went from being a barely cries in high school to a tearing up to tears streaming adult… I’ve probably cried at lots of films (and plenty of commercials, too!) but most recently, I did have some tears for Guernsey L&PPPS. And not just because I wanted Lily James’ wardrobe. I really am often touched by sad or happy moments on screen so an exhaustive list isn’t possible but there’s quite a few.

      1. I enjoyed it. I think the contemporary romantic plot line was fairly predictable but it was done well, and the story she gradually discovers has some elements that I didn’t expect, including some complexity about being good and bad. I also think it touched thoughtfully on the traumas of war in a way that, while light, I think was probably pretty insightful for those of us removed by time and space from the experience. It wasn’t earth shattering, but well made and a nice movie to watch. Watched it as a 2-2 female/male group and we all liked it.

  8. OMG, you hit almost all of mine! Any Disney film (and don’t be with me when we walk into the Magic Kingdom, even though we’re DVC members and go several times a year!). Camelot, from the first time I saw it on a tiny TV in my parents, bedroom. The final episode of Reign tore me apart. I haven’t seen Howard’s End, but will now. Outlander does it to me as well.Had a few tears for Guernsey too and Lily James’ costumes, oh my! Thanks for this post!!!

  9. Brief Encounter (yep, it knocks the stuffing out of me when I watch it)… & The little Princess (1995)….

  10. The 1994 version of “Little Women,” where Sarandon as Marmee tells Ryder as Jo that you’re supposed to make mistakes–that’s how you learn. A woman behind me started weeping, and then I did.

  11. Reign killed me twice — first when Francis died (I cried) and then when she met him in “heaven” or wherever (I cried).

    My list of “I bawled” costume drama movies is endless… everything from Miss Potter (I’m a waterfall toward the end) to Titanic (poor Mr. Andrews!) to Little Women (I pretty much cry from where Beth has her deathbed speech to Jo writing her book about her sisters) to Les Miserables (I don’t know why, but despite the atrocious singing throughout, I just randomly burst into tears over Fantine’s broken dreams) to The Last of the Mohicans (that ending is crap and not fair).

    If I had ten cents for every time I bawled my way through a movie, television show, or book, I’d be a billionaire.

  12. Ok, as a fellow “elder goth” I also have an unnatural love of Disney films. I have been known to sob through out so many movies, shows and plays. a few of the regular ones are:
    Westward the Women-when The Widow Maroni’s gun misfires and she accidently kills her own son.
    Les Mis the Uma Thurman/Leim Nelsson version-When Gavroche is killed
    Anne of a thousand days-When the cannon is sounded to announce her death while Elizabeth is toddling alone in a garden
    Wonder Woman-when she crosses the no man’s land and again when she sends Steve Rogers to his death.
    The Corpse Bride-When Emily realizes that she is stealing happiness from Victoria

  13. I think it counts as a frock flick because it’s early 20th century…The Color Purple. I watch it when I need a good uncorking.

    1. Oh Goodness! I totally forgot about the Anne Series. Though in my case it was I believe the sequel when Anne finds out that Gilbert might be dying of Scarlet Fever. I sob every time

  14. Cazalets made me cry, the situation between the long wedded couple and the terminal illness of the wife and how they coped….heartbreaking.
    And Ms. Parkers vicious circle, so moving, I felt so bad for her.

  15. Every time I watch ” A League of Their Own” I’m fine, right up until the very end where they reunite at the Baseball Hall of Fame. Once Madonna’s song comes on, that’s it, I’m absolutely bawling! Fortunately, the dog ignores me :)

  16. The end of Elizabeth R. Elizabeth dies and silence spreads from the death chamber throughout the palace as courtiers sink to their knees in tribute to her passing spirit.

    At least that’s how I remember it.

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