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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. The term is also used to describe a work that was famous in a past era but less so today: for example one might describe a production of a drama by one of Shakespeare's contemporaries as "an interesting period piece" but would be less likely to describe a production of Hamlet as such.
When used in the context of cinema, "Period" refers to a picture that is set in a past time. Examples would be such diverse films as ''Gladiator'', ''Quo Vadis'', and ''Ben Hur'' (Classical Rome) or ''Al Capone'', ''The Untouchables'', and ''Road to Perdition'' (Prohibition-era). Generally, a Period Film will make efforts to accurately reflect the time period in which it occurs, as opposed to works such as the Western, Sword and sandal, or some Kung Fu Movies which are set in times long past, but are merely use this device as a backdrop. The ''Seven Samurai'' could be considered a Period film, while a Jackie Chan film taking place in Medieval China would likely not be. Most John Wayne movies are considered Westerns, but The Alamo is a Period film.