Rating:  -
This series is splendid in every way and is a must for all fans of Roman history--the actors are superb from first to last. Based on Robert Graves'novels as it is, it does take liberties with historical fact--no one really thinks Livia, wife of Augustus, murdered half the imperial family including her husband!This does not, of course, diminish the extreme pleasure the series affords.
Rating: -
This is, by now, a well-known television series. It's beautifully acted, thoughtfully directed, and a fine set to own for the entire family.
Rating: -
Yes, the DVD's sound could have been better. It should have had subtitles and widescreen too.
I first saw this on PBS. My roommates and I were mesmerized and couldn't wait for the next episode. I love Livia - what a woman! I understand why the historical Augustus was mesmerized by her (and he wasn't a weak man by any stretch). That woman is got to be one of the best actresses I seen ever. Derek Jacobi plays a perfect bumbling/stammering/doltish/club-footed Claudius (and he fooled them all to boot!) and John Hurt the perfect psychotic Caligula.
I loved the Senator's wives being used as prostitutes scene where Claudius is the gatekeeper. It truly was absolutely hilarious.
Again, this is one of the BEST series I've ever seen. No action, just fantastic acting and script. For those with an IQ above room temperature mind you.
Finally, if you're into constant stimuli like a ADHD 10-year old and with the attention span of a gnat this won't be for you.
Rating: -
Wow! Now THIS is entertainment. Great adaption of the Graves Roman soap opera in which a whole troupe of veteran british actors finally get to come out of the closet and bare their inner Roman. My theory is this: unwilling to embrace their savage Germanic Angle/Saxon roots, and unable to warm to the idea of a Celtic or Norse ancestry, the brits just wanna be Romans in the WORST WAY! Like a horde of long suppressed transvestites let loose in the Young Miss dept. in Harrods, these boys don their togas and literally go berserk. William Hurts' Caligula may be the most inspired performance I have ever seen, as he single handedly establishes that the brits actually ARE (faux) Romans, no longer rootless in the ancient world but instead the essential vessel of Civilization itself as it is born into the modern world via the glorious British Empire! American neo-cons would give their eye-teeth to get in on this game! Where are Cheyney and Wolfowitz's togas? Pax Americana indeed! Seriously, though, this is fun stuff.
Rating:  -
Rome was full of scandals, behind the scene manipulations, poisonings, betrayals,... Also, there were a lot of wonderful moments of victory, love, friendship,... All of this is here, and more. The lost star is for the sound: it could have been much better.
All in all, you're in for a treat!!
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