I love watching movies that accurately depict the period they're set in to a good deal of detail, like Master and Commander or Glory. Sadly I'm having a tough time finding any good period-accurate movies beyond the 20th century, are there any gems I'm missing?
Black Robe (1991) - set in Canada in 1634. It's perhaps the best and most accurate movie about Native Americans ever made. It doesn't have Hollywood glibness or gloss. There's complexity and depth, and it gives a real sense of being in another era, where people don't speak or think like modern Americans.
Native Americans are shown neither as noble, politically correct, ecologically sound, wise heroes, nor as racist caricatures. They are shown as real people, and as individuals with their own personal concerns and opinions. The French are likewise shown in a balanced, accurate and believable way - the narrow-mindedness of the Jesuits and their perverse desire for martyrdom, along with their deep sincerity and great courage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS6bmm921G8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdD9YUeBDlI
Gettysburg (1993) - over 4 hours long. A highly accurate American Civil War movie, mostly from the point of view of the commanders and generals. Again, they don't speak or act like modern Americans, sometimes giving a sense of quaintness or affectedness, which is nevertheless very accurate. The battle scenes with large numbers are magnificant and accurate. The confusion, bad communication and lack of accurate information are shown clearly.
Das Boot (1981) - The Director's Cut is over three and a half hours. A German movie set in WWII, told from the point of view of the men in a German submarine.
Without doubt one of the best war movies ever made. Don't watch if you have claustophobia, as you start to feel what it was really like to be inside a cramped submarine.
Director Cut - director talks about the movie