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Summary: SIAN PHILLIPS IS FLAWLESS
Review: I have a fairly large video library, but I can count on the fingers of one hand the tapes I watch over and over. I,Claudius is one. The story in itself (I'm re-reading the book (again) as I write this) is enough to keep anyone with more than a few brain cells riveted, but the performances in this production are beyond compare. Its as if Robert Graves was envisioning Sian Phillips and Derek Jacobi as he wrote. I've never seen more fascinating characters brought to life so naturally and with such pure undecaffeinated skill! Can't say enough for it. Sian Phillips gives you goosebumps in every scene!
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Summary: The Absolute Best!
Review: I first saw this with my grandmother when I was about 11 years old, and even then I loved it! It has so many plot twists and turns, you can hardly figure out what will happen next! Sian Phillips is wonderful as Livia, and of course, Derek Jacobi portrays a sensational Claudius. After seeing the show, I immediatly went to the library and read the book. Then, I had to read the sequel. For those of you that don't know, the sequel is called Claudius the God and His Wife Messalina.The books were great, and the show is great. I would recommend this to anyone!
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Summary: One of the best television series I've ever seen.
Review: I found "I, Claudius" at a local video store and watched the entire series along with a friend of mine. After the first couple episodes, we were hooked. It was a little confusing, at first -- keeping track of who was who and how they were related -- but not enough to detract from the enjoyment of the series. Sian Phillips (Livia), Derek Jacobi (Claudius), Brian Blessed (Augustus), and the other actors were all excellent in their roles, and if you're the type to enjoy a storyline chock-full of politics, schemes, manipulation, betrayal, and drama, you'll love this series. (Oh, and for you women out there, it's got a young Patrick Stewart as Sejanus -- with hair!)
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Summary: the start of the fall of the Roman Empire...
Review: You ever wondered why the roman empire fell watch this series and you will be shockingly enlightened. Incredibly well made british(naturally) series based on the Paul Graves novels on the diaries of the 4th roman emperor,the reluctant Claudius Augustus played with great relish and memorably by Sir Derek Jacobi,nervous tics,humped back and all. At the start you will discover that the first family of Rome ruled their empire like a huge family corporation.A going concern as it were,and everyone was expected to take an active part.Like Dallas and Dynasty it has it all, the backstabbing scheming betrayals bedhopping and the boardroom politics except of course theres more here at stake. So consequently a lot of characters tended to get killed of in mysterious circumstances. John Hurt does a star turn as Claudius' malevolent and nasty nephew Caligula.Every time hes on screen you get a feeling some poor persons head will be whacked of...and it usually is,but Im giving too much away. This is one series that will be oft repeated and new viewers will be enthralled by it.Pax Britanica!
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Summary: Not much different from politics of today!
Review: I loved I, Claudius and couldn't stop watching the episodes. If you love ancient Roman history, you'll love this tale of treachery, power, and survival. But, I'd like to clarify one thing. One reviewer insinuated that "Ken Star and the American right wing" seemed to think they had a corner on policing "debauchery, sabotage, murder, drinking too much wine & eating too much red meat." I say "Thank God!" In a century of power dominated by likes of "left wing politicians" like FDR, John, Bobby & Ted Kennedy, Gary Hart, and most of all, Bill Clinton, we can all be thankful that someone is policing the actions of those in power. After watching I, Claudius, you'll see that the goings on in the palace in Rome are not far off from the shadey actions of those listed above. One could readily imagine Monica Lewinsky roaming the palace halls with Caligula.
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Summary: There is nothing new under the sun
Review: Sometimes people like us, or Kenneth Starr or the latest politicians who think if we post the 10 commandments in the school that kids will stop killing each other, believe that we just thought up evil the other night, Thursday, 1999. Hah! Before Kenneth Starr and the American right wing, people in the ruling class were outclassing us with debauchery, sabotage, matricide, fratricide, incest and drinking too much wine and eating too much red meat. There were no paparazzi back then, just the lowly roving musician, who let everyone know what was going on in the bedrooms, bathrooms and dining halls of the rich and famous. Mr. Jacobi reveals Claudius to be just a darling, forgiving person with some acclivity to meanness. I loved it.
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Summary: Wonderful --- entertaining, educational, excellent series!!!
Review: You've got to hand it to the British --- they may not have Hollywood's budgets or special effects, but their actors and writers are among the best in the world! The casting in this series is superb! And it gives the viewer an excellent insight into the daily lives of those in power during the early days of Imperial Rome! I recently took a college course on this subject, and this series was a GREAT HELP in my better understanding the personalities of this very important period of history! It's almost like watching a "soap opera" in that the characters draw you in, but it's based on reality, not fiction, and is therefore so much more valuable as a work of cinematic story-telling! Highly recommended!!!
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Summary: Is There Anything Else I Can Say?
Review: Perhaps one of the most superb "miniseries" ever, this work in its sheer scope should be commended. In one place are the plot twists, intrigues, family situations and powerplays of the most powerful family in the world, the Julio-Claudians. I;ve read the book countlessly, and have seen the vids at least 10 times, and each time I learn a new nuance and, dare I say it, can apply it to my actual life. Murderers and plotters are evil, but hell, we can still learn from them! Derek Jacobi is wonderful as Claudius -- we are constantly feeling for him, and Sian Philips as Lydia is mesmerizing. So that's how to run an empire! Who cares about production values -- this could have been performed in a blackbox and still been interesting...
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Summary: the best. simply the best.
Review: i remember first seeing this when i was around 10 or 11 years old and I remember being hooked almost instently. It shows that with talent and ability, you can overcome the constraints of modest and low production budgets. a lesson that Hollywood could do well to learn. i don't think i'll ever grow tired of it.
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Summary: The Royal Shakespear Company at it's best
Review: I recall my parents religiously watching this epic mini-series back in the seventies. As a child I could'nt appreciate it and would always leave the room when it came on. Imagine my surprise when 20 years later I happened upon a single episode and was instantly hooked. What I saw had such an impact on me that I promptly went out and bought the entire series, then cleared my schedule and watched all 13 hours from start to finish. Since then I have watched the series many times over, and look forward to seeing it many times again. Forget about multimillion dollar blockbusters with state of the art special effects. This series shows, as the RSC have consistently shown time and time again, that not only do they turn out the finest actors on the planet, but that these types of film are no match for raw acting talent, an interesting story and engaging dialogue. Although the production was primitive by todays standards and the budget shockingly low, none of this detracts, but rather adds to it's magic. It still stands today (at least in my mind anyway) as the most convincing, authentic portrayal of Ancient Rome during the Claudian Dynasty. Beginning at the end of the Republic and just after the Julian era. The story (loosely based on historical fact) chronicles the lives of the key individual's within the Royal bloodline as they plot against, and betray one another in their lust for power. The characters are vividly and intimately brought to life, literally leaping out of the History pages to become real people with all of the weaknesses and faults of the rest of us. Characters come and go with such rapidity that you really have to pay attention, no sooner arriving on the scene than dissappearing, the victim of anothers cruelty, jealousy or greed. This is all played out against an incredibly authentic backdrop, capturing both the romance of the era, and the paranoia of being a member of the Imperial household. Truly an absolute masterpiece. Anyone fascinated by Ancient History should buy it. Alternatively, watch it and you soon will be! If only the Royal Shakespear Company would turn their immense talents to a story about the exploits of Alexander the Great. Truly
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