<P> The historical period drama is a film genre in which stories are based upon historical events and famous people . Some historical dramas are docudramas , which attempt an accurate portrayal of a historical event or biography , to the degree that the available historical research will allow . Other historical dramas are fictionalized tales that are based on an actual person and their deeds , such as Braveheart , which is loosely based on the 13th - century knight William Wallace 's fight for Scotland 's independence . </P>
genre of film or play based on an reenactment of real life events
The historical period drama