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Summary: Roman History at its finest.
Review: This movie captures the essence of the Roman Empire. Derek Jacobi is outstanding as Claudius, and so is his very adept supporting cast. I classify this as a "Must-See" movie even for non-history buffs as its sheer entertaining content will impress everyone who views it. Expect to be hooked from the start with outstanding performances by John Hurt as Caligula, who does a masterful job as the insane nephew of Claudius, infamous for his odd tastes. Patrick Stewart should be commended for his always powerful acting as the part of Sejanus. If you appreciate good acting, gripping storylines, and deep drama, grab this title as soon as possible
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Summary: A Cry for HELP!
Review: This series pretty much saved my husband's sanity, when bedridden for 2 weeks in the USA. I'd love to own this on video, and as I live in London, you'd think it would be easy... Does anyone know where I can get a PAL format of this wonderful series?
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Summary: One of the Very Best!
Review: Along with Glenda Jackson in "Elizabeth R", this production represents the zenith of Masterpiece Theater. By today's standards, the production values are -- well -- primitive. But who cares! What an awesome cast! What performances! And -- if we can believe Suetonius, on whose works Robert Graves largely based his magnificent Dualogy -- it's history brought vividly to life. As the story of the first five emperors of Rome, just after the demise of the Roman Republic, some of the greatest -- and also most infamous -- people in history are shown intimately. Perhaps the most memorable character -- apart from Claudius himself! -- is Augustus' Empress, Livia, played by the incomparable Sian Philips -- one of the most powerful, and evil, women in history. (After poisoning Augustus, she tells her son Tiberius, "Augustus is dead. I'll inform the Senate. Oh, by the way, Tiberius -- don't touch the figs." Like all the greatest villains, she is fascinating to watch. And of course, Sir Derek Jacobi is simply fantastic. A foundation item for any intelligent person's video library.
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Summary: A true classic
Review: I believe I was thirteen years old the first time I saw this wonderful miniseries, back when PBS rebroadcast it in honor of Masterpiece Theater's 25th anniversary. I remember being dubious about watching it at first, but by the end of the first hour I was hooked, and even skipped a school dance in order to catch the next installment. Parents, take note: this is a wonderful way to get your kids hooked on history! The acting and plotting are superb, with enough intrigue and twists to keep anyone glued to the screen. Sir Derek Jacobi in particular shines as Claudius. Watching him move from disabled, unwanted child to Emperor of Rome made a hug impression on me as a teenager, and still touches me today. I *still* cry whenever I watch that final scene...My family bought the videos several years ago and since then we've watched it togethor more times than I can count. Everytime we learn something new. _I, Claudius_ should be a part of every family's video library.
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Summary: A Cinematic masterpiece made for television.
Review: Seldom has Television given us produtions that stand the test of time. This BBC had some of the finest talent. The story is too long... too many characters to count... but that is the reason why this series still amazes years later. A complex modern retelling of the fall of the Roman monarchy.
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Summary: A Superb Account of the Beginning of the End of Rome
Review: A brilliant portrayal of the tawdry, blood-soaked process by which Rome likely descended from the greatest ancient republic to a monarchy (in all but name). Viewers get the full effect of both the grandeur of the empire that the Romans built and of the craven-ness of the people (following Julius Caesar, who is not in the story) who destroyed it in less than a century. For those who are proud of what many believe is the grandest modern republic (the United States), it offers an object lesson in the dangers of the cult of personality. Rome was a Republic for over 500 years before it went back to being a monarchy and then finally went bust. How long will it take for the same to happen to the US? Viewers will be well-advised to also read the novels by Robert Graves ("I, Claudius," and "Claudius, the God,") on which the series is based. Reading the books does not spoil your enjoyment of the videos, and vice-versa. Note that the books (and the videos) only present an interpretation of real historical events, and that not everything in them is true. It might also help to read an edition of Suetonius' "Twelve Caesars" so you know the portions that are faithful to history and those that are a result of artistic license. For readers interested in the events in 1st Century BC Rome that lead up to what happens in "I, Claudius," Colleen McCullough's "The First Man in Rome," "The Grass Crown," and "Fortune's Favourites" would help (though McCullough is not as good a writer as Graves).
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Summary: Absorbing & well acted series
Review: This video chronicles the machiavellian lives of the first four Roman emperors as seen through the eyes of Claudius I. It brings to life that era from the usual dry pages in a history book and makes one realizer that the Romans were people after all.
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Summary: A true classic series
Review: Claudius is one of the unique characters in world history and the book and series do his story justice. His legacy was tolerance in a world of intolerance and the fact that with a little luck, you can overcome truly adverse circumstances.
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Summary: One of the best Series of all time.
Review: I, Claudiius charts the life the Emperor Claudius from the reign of Augustus Caeser to that of Nero. It is compelling on several levels, first as a story about post-Republican Rome, annd secondly as the story of one man's life and rise from obscurity to become Emperor of Rome. Even those not interested in Rome, will find it be great entertainment.
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Summary: Not Enough Stars in a 5-Star Scale to Give Praise!
Review: "I, Claudius" is, quite simply, a masterpiece of acting, of writing, and of what television can do like no other medium. Clocking in at eleven hours, "I, Claudius" rips the curtain back from Imperial Rome and shows the savagery, the venality, the evil, and yes, the goodness at work in the court during the early days of Imperial Rome. Tracking a story over several decades, "I, Claudius" tells an epic story of murder, deceit, seduction, and justice that is simultaneously grand and intimate -- the story is simply too grand a scale to be made into a feature film (well, with the caveat that if Peter Jackson can film the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, he can film any epic out there). Narrated by an aged Emperor Claudius (Derek Jacobi, in a career-making performance), "I, Claudius" starts with the reign of Caesar Augustus (Brian Blessed, delightfully Machiavellian) and his vicious wife, Livia (Sian Phillips, almost stealing the show). Augustus, reluctant to drive a stake through the heart of the Roman Republic, nevertheless seeks to consolidate his power; Livia is fully committed to burying the Republic forever and seating her reluctant son, Tiberius (George Baker) on the throne. Through seduction, wily craft, and generous doses of poison, Livia gets her way. Her parting scene with Augustus is a masterpiece of acting on both sides. As an aside, the acting in "I, Claudius" more than makes up for an obviously limited budget and virtually no special effects . . . it's like watching a televised play. On-screen violence is nevertheless convincing, and the entire cast hits each precious note with skill. Watch for a young, bewigged(!) Patrick Stewart as the ambitious Sejanus, John Hurt as the deranged Caligula, and John Rhys-Davies as Marcro, Sejanus' second-in-command. Claudius, born lame with both a twitch and a stutter ("That boy could destroy the Empire just by strolling through it!"), is nevertheless prophesied to save Rome from her bloody fate. As his older, wiser friends repeatedly tell him (usually just before their own murder), Claudius should play up his disabilities in order to stay alive. Which Claudius does, and as an amateur historian he chronicles the lives (and deaths) of so many noble Romans. Tiberius succeeds Augustus (thanks in large part to Livia's gift with poisons), and as he falls into depths of depravity, Sejanus makes his play for the throne. Caligula inherits the throne from Tiberius, although not as smoothly as he would have liked, and he shows the truth in the absolute corruption brought about by absolute power. Claudius, staunch Republican that he is, nevertheless finds himself on the Imperial throne, a captive of the Praetorian Guard, following Caligula's untimely end. He works to restore the Republic, but such is not to be, and ultimately Nero ascends to the throne. But on the way, Claudius spins one heck of a tale. Far from the magisterial views of Imperial Rome so often shown in films, "I, Claudius" thrusts us into the courtrooms and bedrooms of the Roman nobility, and it's a captivating, but often ugly, sight.
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