A
historical period drama is a work of art set in, or reminiscent of, an earlier time period. The term is usually used in the context of
film and
television. It is an informal crossover term that can apply to several
genres but is most often heard in the context of
historical fiction and
romances,
adventure films, and
swashbucklers. The implication is that the audience is attracted as much by the lavish costumes as by the content. In the
performing arts, a
period piece is a work set in a particular era. This informal term covers all countries, all periods and all
genres. It may be as long and general as the
medieval era or as limited as one decade—the
Roaring Twenties, for example.