BY: Amanda Jane Stern

What comes to mind when you think about history? Do you imagine stodgy men and women, towering wigs, prudes unable to talk about or have sex? You’d be wrong of course, the past was no less kinky than present day, in fact, if you’ve read anything about the ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians or the Marquis de Sade, you’d know the past could be wild. With that in mind, here are six of the most erotic, sexy period dramas to whet your appetite.

The Duchess

This film is the definition of a corset-ripper. Keira Knightley stars as Georgiana, a British noblewoman who is married to William Cavendish (Ralph Fiennes), the Duke of Devonshire. She is quickly disillusioned with her cold husband and begins a passionate affair with the 2nd Earl Grey (yes, like the tea), Charles Grey (Dominic Cooper). In addition to the wild romps between Georgiana and Charles, the movie is also notable for her close friendship, that borders on romance, with her best friend and husband’s lover, Bess (Hayley Atwell). The most suggestive scene is when the two women discuss sexual pleasure.

The Handmaiden

Aside from the fact that this movie is a cinematic masterpiece, it is also one of the most seductive to ever grace our screens. Set in Japanese-occupied Korea, a conman, using the name Count Fujiwara (Ha Jung-woo), hires a pickpocket, Sook-hee (Kim Tae-ri), to help him marry Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee). The Count wants the heiress’ money and then to have her committed to an asylum. Sook-hee poses as Lady Hideko’s handmaiden to convince her to marry Count Fujiwara. But, plans change when the two women fall in love. This movie is full of amazing twists and turns as well as erotism. To understand how hot and fantastic, you’ll have to see it for yourself.

Henry & June

This film was the first to receive the dreaded NC-17 rating from the MPAA, so that should give you a good idea of what you’re in for. It follows diarist and erotic writer, Anaïs Nin (Maria de Medeiros), as she is drawn to a married couple, Henry and June Miller (Fred Ward and Uma Thurman). Their relationship is on the rocks and Nin slides her way into their lives. She starts with Henry and then sets her sights on June. But, if you know anything about Nin’s writings, there could never be a film about her that isn’t itself a steamy experience.

Lust, Caution

Set in Japanese-occupied China, this erotic spy drama tracks a young Chinese woman, Wong Chia Chi (Wei Tang), who’s hired to seduce and help assassinate the Japanese head of secret police, Mr. Yee (Tony Chiu-Wai Leung). Of course, mixing business and sex can be dangerous and Chia Chi finds herself falling for her mark. Like Henry & June, it was also slapped with an NC-17 rating for its graphic sex scenes. Rather than re-work them for a more favorable rating, Ang Lee insisted on keeping the film intact.

 

Maurice

Can you make a list of sexy period pieces without at least one Merchant Ivory film? This adaptation of the E.M. Forster novel follows Maurice (James Wilby), a young man in Edwardian England who falls in love with school friend Clive (Hugh Grant). When Clive marries a woman and ends his relationship with Maurice, Maurice finds love in the arms of groundskeeper Alec Scudder (Rupert Graves). Notable for its LGBT storyline and happy ending, this movie is not as sexual as other entries on this list, but there are several instances of full-frontal male nudity. Its lush cinematography and thirsty characters also contribute to its steamy plot.

Shakespeare in Love

The other Fiennes brother makes this list as the dreamy-eyed William Shakespeare in Shakespeare in Love. The film follows a young Will Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) as he embarks on a passionate love affair with noblewoman, Viola De Lesseps (Gwyneth Paltrow), who is engaged to the remarkably dull Lord Wessex (Colin Firth). This hot and heavy romance isn’t based on a true story, but we know good old Will had his fair share of lovers. And, like any great Shakespearean tale, this one is full of cross-dressing and bodice-ripping. As Viola says after having sex with Will, “it is a new world.” Yes Viola, get it!