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There’s just something about a good period drama, right? A world of fantasy full of wild love, genteel ladies and, uhm, gents, and amazingly scrumptious costumes. A bit like a fairy tale for adults; a romantic movie that’s way more magical and stunning. Now, we won’t hide it; these period dramas have us all swooning so hard it is even tough to see what we’re writing here! Hopefully, you share the same passion for romantic period dramas as we do, and will allow us to take you on the journey of the best period dramas ever!

So, of course, if you are not a newbie to the whole period movie situation, you’ll find some familiar gems in our list. However, is watching Marie Antoinette for the umpteenth time a bad thing? Surely not! But, surely, there are also some costume dramas that’ll be new to you - have you already had the time to watch Emma and Love & Friendship? How about a wellness session with 2019’s Wuthering Heights? Yup, time to clear up your schedule and find the time to watch these babies now!

So, scroll on down below to our selection of the greatest period dramas to date! Once you are there, be sure to vote for your favorite movie, and share this article with those who share the same passion for these charming movies! 

#1

Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette

2006 | 2 hours 3 minutes | Directed by Sofia Coppola
 

Starring Kirsten Dunst, Jason Schwartzman, Rip Torn

Ahh, Marie Antoinette, the most iconic Queen of France! This 2006 movie is a retelling of her ill-fated story from her marriage to Louis XVI at the age of fourteen to her reign as a Queen at nineteen, and her ultimate demise accentuated by the fall of Versailles. Marie Antoinette merges the fashion of the court with teenage-like rebellion, and Sofia Coppola adds in some pretty cool easter eggs along the way. All in all, it is a very engaging and beautiful movie with a real story told in a magnificent way.

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#2

Belle

Belle

2013 | 1 hour 40 minutes | Directed by Amma Asante
 

Starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Matthew Goode, Emily Watson

Belle, the 2013 movie by Amma Asante, was inspired by a real story. Everything inspired by a real story is so much more exciting, right? So, here a story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, the illegitimate biracial daughter of Royal Navy Captain Sir John Lindsay, is retold in the most beautiful way. She’s raised by her aristocratic uncle and aunt, and although her lineage affords her privileges, her skin color prevents her from fully entering society. Of course, there’s the swooning love, the greater cause, and incredible costumes to make her story come to life!

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#3

Love & Friendship

Love & Friendship

2016 | 1 hour 30 minutes | Whit Stillman
 

Starring Kate Beckinsale, Chloe Sevigny, Xavier Samuel

Love & Friendship, unsurprisingly, is a story based on Jane Austen’s novel called Lady Susan. All the best period dramas are either based on her or Emily Brontë’s work, it seems, and very rightfully so! So here, our main protagonist is Lady Susan Vernon, a widow hoping to set up her daughter in a comfortable marriage and find a love of her own, too. Love & Friendship is witty, enchanting, and huge, with a plot twist you’d never expect!

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#4

Little Women

Little Women

2019 | 2 hours 15 minutes | Directed by Greta Gerwig
 

Starring Saoirse Ronan, Emily Watson, Florence Pugh

Now, we all know the story here, right? Four sisters, all of them as determined as the next one to reach their goals and to live their lives to the fullest. However, this time, we get to see and feel the real essence of the story’s characters, all thanks to the incredible cast (come on, Saoirse Ronan, Emily Watson, Florence Pugh, and Timothee Chalamet all in one place!) and Greta Gerwig’s direction. However, the movie might come off as a bit on the naive side at times, but who said that a bit of naivete is a bad thing in a period drama?

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Curly potato
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great film! The cast is amazing! I mean, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Timothee Chalamet in the same film is just genius!

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#5

Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights

2019 | 2 hours 9 minutes | Directed by Andrea Arnold
 

Starring Kay Scodelario, James Howson, Solomon Glave
 

Emily Brontë’s novel Wuthering Heights is seemingly one of those masterpieces that are just unfilmable. That is, before Andrea Arnold took a chance at it! So, finally, after at least fourteen subpar adaptations, we have one that’s brilliantly told and magnificently shot! If you need a refresher on the story here, this is how it goes - a poor boy of unknown origins is rescued by the Earnshaw family. Here, he develops an intense relationship with his younger foster sister, Cathy, and from that point, the story is all about that all-consuming, elemental love that can only be found in Emily Brontë’s stories!

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#6

Lady Macbeth

Lady Macbeth

2016 | 1 hour 29 minutes | Directed by William Oldroyd
 

Starring Florence Pugh, Cosmo Jarvis, Paul Hilton

Lady Macbeth is set in 19th-century rural England and follows the story of a bride who has been sold into marriage. Now, that never promises anything good, and much to our delight, in a real period drama fashion, she finds herself engulfed by unstoppable desire upon entering into an affair with a worker in her estate. Florence Pugh’s performance here is just jaw-dropping, the sets here are dark and spooky, and the suspense (although not so typical for a period drama) is as sweet and viscous as honey.

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#7

The Favourite

The Favourite

2018 | 1 hour 59 minutes | Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
 

Starring Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz

Okay, so if this isn’t your first Yorgos Lanthimos movie rodeo, you might have an inkling of what to expect from The Favourite. However, if this is your first viewing of this director’s work - expect the unexpected. The story here is set in 18th-century England, where the ruler is Queen Anne. She’s bored and dissatisfied up until a new servant enters the halls of her court. Seems simple enough, but The Favourite is full of twisty plot lines, wild emotions, and black humor that’s of stellar quality. A very well-rounded movie and one of our own favorites, as well.

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Huddo's sister
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A fantastic film and much funnier than the trailer made out! My household are big fans of Olivia Colman though, so not much chance we would dislike it.

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#8

Emma

Emma

2020 | 2 hours 4 minutes | Directed by Autumn de Wilde
 

Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Mia Goth

First off, a disclaimer - we’re huge fans of Anya Taylor-Joy here. And when she’s the protagonist in Jane Austen’s story, we literally swoon from the first moment! And rightfully so - Emma is one of those rare instances that truly reveal Austen’s incredible wit, and it is such a joy to watch Joy bring Emma to life. And if you’re looking for an airy and, ultimately, very uplifting movie that’s real eye candy, definitely add Emma to your period drama list.

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Curly potato
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of my all-time favourite films! It is sooooo good, the acting is amazing, cast wonderful and outfits outstanding! Also it's nice to see Miranda Hart in a more serious acting role, I always knew her as Barbara the cleaner in Not Going Out (which is also worth a watch by the way 😁)

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#9

Colette

Colette

2018 | 1 hour 51 minutes | Directed by Wash Westmoreland
 

Starring Keira Knightley, Fiona Shaw, Dominic West
 

Colette is a talented housewife, and her husband knows it very well. He pushes Colette to write novels under his name, and once they find success, she has none of this sneaky pen-name business anymore. Now Colette fights for her talents to be known and challenges all the gender norms possible. A truly beautiful and inspiring story, elevated by Keira’s impeccable character acting.

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#10

Portrait Of A Lady On Fire

Portrait Of A Lady On Fire

2019 | 2 hours 2 minutes | Directed by Celine Sciamma
 

Starring Noemie Merlant, Adele Haenel, Luana Bajrami

Upon its release, Portrait of a Lady on Fire literally stole the show at the Cannes movie festival. And that’s not only for stellar settings, amazing cinematography, and incredible acting but also for a daring story. Set in 18th-century France, Portrait of a Lady on Fire follows the story of two troubled women secretly falling in love with each other. And although they both know their relationship cannot go on, this doesn’t stop them from dreaming about a better reality.

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#12

Downtown Abbey

Downtown Abbey

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Huddo's sister
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was nice to see further insight into where the characters would go off screen, but wasn't a stand out film.

#13

Pride And Prejudice

Pride And Prejudice

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#14

The Personal History Of David Copperfield

The Personal History Of David Copperfield

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#16

The Age Of Innocence

The Age Of Innocence

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#17

The New World

The New World

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#18

Becoming Jane

Becoming Jane

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#19

Stage Beauty

Stage Beauty

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#21

Sense And Sensibility

Sense And Sensibility

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#22

The Duchess

The Duchess

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Stephanie Did It
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love this film. Marrying the Duke brings many unexpected events into this Duchess' life. Very enjoyable.

#23

The Other Boleyn Girl

The Other Boleyn Girl

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Stephanie Did It
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The book is fantastic, but why oh why was Henry dark haired and so unlike the real Henry?

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#24

A Room With A View

A Room With A View

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#25

Mary Queen Of Scots

Mary Queen Of Scots

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#26

The Young Victoria

The Young Victoria

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#27

The Remains Of The Day

The Remains Of The Day

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#33

Dangerous Liaisons

Dangerous Liaisons

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Stephanie Did It
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everything about this movie is exceptional. Glenn Close and John Malkovich made the perfect set of wicked conspirators.

#34

The Imitation Game

The Imitation Game

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#35

Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer

Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer

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#39

The Danish Girl

The Danish Girl

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#40

Mansfield Park

Mansfield Park

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#41

The King's Speech

The King's Speech

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#45

Girl With A Pearl Earring

Girl With A Pearl Earring

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#46

Stonehearst Asylum

Stonehearst Asylum

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#47

The Illusionist

The Illusionist

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#48

The Prestige

The Prestige

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#51

As You Like It

As You Like It

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#53

Northanger Abbey

Northanger Abbey

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#55

Shakespeare In Love

Shakespeare In Love

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KG324
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why on earth did someone give this a down vote?! This is hands down one of the best movies ever! I will admit though, you get the most out of it if you've read and/or seen Shakespearian plays.

#56

The Scarlet Pimpernel

The Scarlet Pimpernel

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KG324
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YES!!! Awesome movie! Jane Seymour, Anthony Andrews and Sir Ian McKellan. Terrific movie!

#57

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace

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Huddo's sister
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A fantastic film and so far the only one I been to see as part of a church outing :)

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#61

The End Of The Affair

The End Of The Affair

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#62

The Painted Veil

The Painted Veil

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ispeak catanese
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one's heartbreaking, too. I've been wanting to watch it again.

#63

The English Patient

The English Patient

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#64

Under The Greenwood Tree

Under The Greenwood Tree

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#65

A Little Chaos

A Little Chaos

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#66

Made In Dagenham

Made In Dagenham

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#67

The Night Watch

The Night Watch

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#68

Queen & Country

Queen & Country

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#69

The Cider House Rules

The Cider House Rules

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#71

Suite Française

Suite Française

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#74

Legends Of The Fall

Legends Of The Fall

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#75

I Capture The Castle

I Capture The Castle

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#76

The Merchant Of Venice

The Merchant Of Venice

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#80

A Dangerous Method

A Dangerous Method

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#82

The Last Duel

The Last Duel

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#84

Carol

Carol

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Huddo's sister
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think I have seen this movie, but I can't for the life of me remember what I thought of it!

#85

Vita & Virginia

Vita & Virginia

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#87

The Portrait Of A Lady

The Portrait Of A Lady

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#88

Daniel Deronda

Daniel Deronda

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#91

The House Of Mirth

The House Of Mirth

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#92

Gosford Park

Gosford Park

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#93

Washington Square

Washington Square

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#94

The Importance Of Being Earnest

The Importance Of Being Earnest

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Huddo's sister
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the few movies my dad took me to see that I really disliked- it was so slow and boring!

#95

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

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#96

An Ideal Husband

An Ideal Husband

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#97

The Shadow In The North

The Shadow In The North

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#98

The Ruby In The Smoke

The Ruby In The Smoke

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#99

Another Country

Another Country

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#100

The Railway Man

The Railway Man

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#101

Easy Virtue

Easy Virtue

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#102

The Invisible Woman

The Invisible Woman

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#103

Glorious 39

Glorious 39

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#105

The Edge Of Love

The Edge Of Love

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#107

Down With Love

Down With Love

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#109

Cold Comfort Farm

Cold Comfort Farm

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#110

The Winslow Boy

The Winslow Boy

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#111

The Wings Of The Dove

The Wings Of The Dove

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#112

Anna Karenina

Anna Karenina

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#114

The White Countess

The White Countess

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#115

Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night

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#116

The Abduction Club

The Abduction Club

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#117

Henry & June

Henry & June

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#118

The Good German

The Good German

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#119

Oscar And Lucinda

Oscar And Lucinda

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#120

Madame Bovary

Madame Bovary

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#121

Sweet Liberty

Sweet Liberty

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#123

The Making Of A Lady

The Making Of A Lady

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#124

Water For Elephants

Water For Elephants

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#126

A Royal Affair

A Royal Affair

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#127

The Magic Of Ordinary Days

The Magic Of Ordinary Days

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#128

Russian Ark

Russian Ark

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#129

Magic In The Moonlight

Magic In The Moonlight

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#131

The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

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#132

The Turn Of The Screw

The Turn Of The Screw

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#134

The Last Station

The Last Station

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#136

Before The Rains

Before The Rains

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#140

Coco Before Chanel

Coco Before Chanel

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#142

Young Goethe In Love

Young Goethe In Love

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#143

The French Lieutenant's Woman

The French Lieutenant's Woman

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#144

Brideshead Revisited

Brideshead Revisited

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#145

Bright Star

Bright Star

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#146

The Ipcress File

The Ipcress File

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#147

Great Expectations

Great Expectations

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