Romantic Films to Rent with Historical Figures

Einstein and da Vinci Play Matchmaker in These Popular DVD Rentals

Jun 28, 2009

They won't help you ace your history final, but these fun movies to rent will definitely make you see Shakespeare, Einstein, and da Vinci in a new light.

Anyone who’s seen a lot of movies knows that historical accuracy isn’t a priority for most filmmakers. On the other hand, if audiences want to rent movies about historical figures in situations that never would (or could) have happened, they’ll love this list of romantic movies starring famous historical icons.

You’ll never look at William Shakespeare, Albert Einstein, or Leonardo da Vinci the same way again…

In the sixteenth century, wealthy Viola (Gwenneth Paltrow) disguises herself as a man to audition for William Shakespeare’s (Joseph Fiennes) new comedy Romeo and Ethel, The Pirate’s Daughter and live out her dream of being an actor – but finds herself falling in love with the playwright. As the two enter into a secret affair, it affects Shakespeare’s writing, transforming his play from a comedy into one of his most famous tragedies.

Definitely not a historically accurate movie (many believe Shakespeare based his play on Arthur Brooke’s poem The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet, which was itself based on stories retold by Italian, French, and Greek poets), Shakespeare in Love is still a highly entertaining romantic comedy. Shakespeare buffs will enjoy spotting all the references to famous lines and scenes from Shakespeare’s plays, while romantic movie lovers will enjoy Paltrow and Fiennes’ great chemistry.

Albert Einstein (Walter Matthau) shows he also provides matchmaker services in this romantic comedy DVD that has the famous genius trying to get his smart but emotionally distant niece Catherine (Meg Ryan) to fall in love with Ed (Tim Robbins), a good-hearted auto mechanic. With the help of his friends, Einstein fools Catherine into thinking Ed is a genius “wunderkind,” drawing them into a budding relationship. But when Catherine learns about the con, can even Einstein convince the two that they belong together?

Much of this romantic film’s charm stems from Matthau, who portrays Einstein as a mischievous matchmaker who loves constructing elaborate romantic schemes. Einstein’s friends (based on real-life mathematician Kurt Gödel and physicist Boris Podolsky) also provide great comedy – particularly when they give Ed a “scientist makeover” which leaves him looking even more disorganized and scatterbrained than usual. One of the lesser known but fun DVDs to rent for fans of romantic films.

During the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci was a scientist, painter, inventor, sculptor, mathematician, architect, botanist, musician, and writer. Now, in Ever After, da Vinci adds “fairy godfather” to this list of accomplishments as he plays a part in this popular re-telling of the Cinderella story, which also features fictionalized versions of Henry II of France and the Grimm Brothers.

In a rural French manor, Danielle De Barbarac (Drew Barrymore) is orphaned and becomes a servant to her cruel stepmother (Anjelica Huston) and stepsister Marguerite (Megan Dodds). Through chance encounters with Prince Henry (Dougray Scott), however, Danielle manages to win the prince’s affections – although she decides to keep her true identity a secret.

But when Danielle’s stepmother locks Danielle in the manor to keep her from attending the prince’s masquerade ball, it’s up to Danielle’s friends – who enlist the services of Leonardo da Vinci (Patrick Godfrey) – to free Danielle, provide her with a costume, and get her to the ball.

Unlike the other historical icons in this list of romantic movies, da Vinci plays a relatively small (albeit vital) role in the story, which spends most of its time developing the relationship between Danielle and Henry. Still, da Vinci inspired take as a “fairy godfather” provides a fun twist on this version of the Cinderella story, which continues to be one of the most popular romantic films for Cinderella story fans searching for good films to rent.

The copyright of the article Romantic Films to Rent with Historical Figures in Romantic Films is owned by Michael Jung. Permission to republish Romantic Films to Rent with Historical Figures in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.