William Makepeace Thackeray

Mira Nair's film version of the classic novel by William Makepeace Thackery introduces a new audience to the beautiful, funny, passionate and calculating heroine Becky Sharp (Witherspoon). (Focus Features)

Redmond Barry, an ambitious 18th-century Irish rogue, flees his home following a fatal duel over love. Navigating the Seven Years' War as a soldier, gambler, and opportunist, he relentlessly climbs the European social ladder. His ambition peaks when he seduces and marries the wealthy Lady Lyndon, assuming her aristocratic status while struggling to maintain his lavish, precarious new life.

The film recounts the tale of a lower-class girl who insinuates herself into an upper class family, only to see her life and the lives of those around her destroyed.

An ambitious and ruthless young woman advances from the position of governess to the heights of British society. (en.wikipedia.org)

"Vanity Fair" is a historical drama, based on the classic English novel written by William Thackeray, featuring Shirley Mason. Shirley Mason was 15 y.o. and played the role of the young Becky Sharp. Directors obviously took notice of her performance, because in 1917 she appeared in 17 feature films, in many of them playing the star role.

VANITY FAIR (1911-USA) Short Drama, Silent film with John Bunny and directed by Charles Kent. This classic story of Becky Sharp starring one of the first real screen stars. Telling the traditional story, this early classic movie features one of the first real movie screen stars. (imdb)