After the rather exciting news that the glorious Ellen Page will star in a filmic version of Jane Eyre, we have in tribute, taken it upon ourselves to take a look at some of the other coolest acting types to ever don a ruffly period costume and do, like, old books, but in the magical form of movies.

Julie Christie in Far From The Madding Crowd

Granted, this film may have terrified me when I was a kid thanks to an entire flock of sheep being herded over a cliff – damn you Saturday afternoon matinee! - but the never knowingly rubbish and always ruddy stunning Julie Christie managed to bring me back from round the back of the sofa to root for her Bathsheba. And no, that's not a euphemism.

Orson Welles in Jane Eyre

When Orson Welles wasn't giving Vampira the clap or cheating on Rita Hayworth (boooo) he was, of course making movies. The super gothic Jane Eyre, in which he starred and co-produced (which was quite a light workload for the prolific movie renaissance man) saw him have a bash at a booming and actually quite scary Rochester. Why anyone ever wants to get with that chump in the first place is beyond us.

Winona Ryder in Little Women

Winona Ryder, along with a whole host of other worthy dames - Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes and Samantha Mathis (who will always have a place in my heart for her excellent turn as Princess Daisy in the Super Mario film) - is sublime in the role of the hair-hacking Jo. Made in the same year as Reality Bites – proof of Winona's coolness – and on the back of The Age Of Innocence – proof that she can act in heavy period garb, Little Women's slush was given and undeniable boost by an ace Lipster-approved cast.

Kate Winslet in Sense And Sensibility

Kate Winslet was pretty much born to flit about in an empire line frock and a lovely bonnet, but lawks a-mercy, she done gone excelled herself here. Managing to make the whiny Marianne a sympathetic character is hard work indeed, but Kate and her bouncing curls did it in the time it takes to mutter, "cor, that Willoughby's a cad, innee?"

Oliver Reed in Women In Love

A shameless lush he may have been, but a shameless lush with a propensity for getting his kit off and indulging in some bare naked wrestling is always acceptable in our books. Oliver Reed in Women In Love will, of course, always be remembered for the scene during which he wrestles Alan Bates (who was also the sexy gruff chap who got his end away with Julie in The Go Between) but this film proved he was also a dab hand at, um, well... nude wrestling?

Julie Christie in The Go Between

Why, Julie, how lovely to see you here in this list again! In this long hot summer flick, Julie's still looking ace – obvs – breezily working a parasol and high necked blouse in the Norfolk heat (alright, it's hardly Mexico, but it still looks bloody warm in the film), yet it's the passive-aggressive note-passing and raunchy affair with the buff farmer that we couldn't imagine anyone else doing quite so well.