Rating: 
Summary: History at its Best
Review: Perhaps its not historically accurate. Perhaps the sets are a little overused and the conspicuous absence of any out-door filming is hard to miss, but this epic is more engrossing than anything C. B. DeMille ever could have hoped to produce.The acting is superb (particularly from Sian Philips and Jacobi) and the dialogue is believable. If this series doesn't interest you in history Ð you aren't paying attention.
Rating:
Summary: The Best TV of the 20th Century
Review: For anyone who thinks you need a big budget, wild action scenes, and all-too familiar celebrities in a cast to make a good movie or mini-series... please watch this epic about the life of one of History's most ambiguous characters. Robert Graves' novel took the bits and pieces of recorded history about Claudius and turned that into a mesmerizing book told from the supposedly idiotic Emperor's point of view. The BBC series went a step further by adding living drama to the classic book and showcased some of the most skilled actors of our time. It's interesting to note that the series' biggest stars, Derek Jacobi, Brian Blessed, John Hurt, et al are all still highly respected stage actors. Do yourself a favor and make sure your children watch this too! Every few years you'll want to watch the entire series again, thus it's definitely worth buying as opposed to renting, (if you can find a video store that doesn't just rent new releases nowadays).
Rating:
Summary: Buy this masterpiece now.
Review: Take all these good people's advice and if you are contemplating buying this series do so now. Hand over your credit card details and own an investment, not a video. Read the books too - I was so impressed I got both books the next day after watching it straight through, and read them cover to cover. For those who think the video is complicated... the series CONDENSES vast chapters of the second book (especially Claudius' British campaigns). It could have been double length and still not told the whole tale. See you in Rome. You'll want to take the next plane.
Rating:
Summary: Bigger and Better than other Roman Epics
Review: After watching this series for the second time, I was still drawn to watching more than one tape at a time. It seemed that I just couldnt wait to see what happened in the next video. This series has got to be the most professionally produced and acted of all Roman classics. I could not find fault with any of the actors in this series. Derek Jacobi was perfectly type cast as Claudius, as was John Hurt and Brian Blessed. This video series is one that can be watched over and over again, and it seems that you will always discover something you missed in the other viewings. Dont miss seeing this great video series.
Rating:
Summary: The best of the BBC
Review: No project by Hollywood could ever come close to outdoing this superb project by the BBC, a miniseries made epic by the performances of the stars, not by a big budget set and special effects. The series plays more like a stage performance - and the way that the actors make use of silent pauses (without a bombastic soundtrack playing in the background) differentiates the series from inferior projects. Derek Jacobi couldn't be better as the stuttering and wishy-washy yet amiable Claudius; Sian Phillips is the world's most perfect Livia (her scenes in part 7 "Queen of Heaven" couldn't have been better), and by the end you grow to love the way she frustrates the disgusting Tiberius; John Hurt is the PERFECT Caligula; and I for one am amused by the actress (whose name escapes me) that plays Claudius' mother Antonia - the way she harumphs about Caligula's antics and her son Claudius's stupidity will keep you amused in the later episodes of the series. I recommend this series wholeheartedly to ANYONE who loves history or epic - it's like all the other reviews have been saying, they just don't make 'em like this anymore.
Rating:
Summary: Better than the Sopranos
Review: I've watched this so often that I have entire scenes committed to memory! Possibly two of the best actors to ever live--John Hurt and Derek Jacobi--give unbelievable performances, and their scenes together are gems. Sian Phillips is terrifying as Livia--she makes Livia Soprano seem like an amateur. A must-see for everyone, and an easy way to learn a little bit of Roman History. It turned me on to reading Tacitus and Suetonius.
Rating:
Summary: Drama At its Absolute Best = I, Claudius
Review: I, Claudius is a wonderfully scripted, beautifully acted, and a terribly engaging miniseries. Derek Jacobi shines as the genius Claudius, who pretends to be a fool to avoid being killed. Sian Phillips plays the murderous Livia to perfection. She has a calm exterior, which makes her all the more fascinating. Margaret Tyzack is fantastic as Antonia, Claudius' mother, a noble woman who ultimately kills herself for Rome. Sheila White as the treacherous Messalina, Patricia Quinn as the scheming Livilla, Brian Blessed as the amiable Augustus, George Baker as the cruel Tiberius, and John Hurt as the insane Caligula all play their characters masterfully. Don't miss Patrick Stewart as brutal guard Sejanus. A saga of sex, murder, treachery, love, and a fierce battle for power play out through the thirteen installments. It is told by Claudius, the only person in Rome who didn't want to be Emperor, but succumbed to it all the same. A powerful human drama that merits repeat viewings. They don't make them like this anymore. I, CLAUDIUS is a masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Best Soap Opera I've ever seen
Review: Few movies or videos deserve 5 Stars, but this one certainly does. Sian Phillips's portrayal of Livia may be the greatest villainess chararacterization in TV history.
Rating:
Summary: The BBC doesn't do this kind of thing anymore
Review: It is interesting to see some Americans appreciating good BBC drama. I wonder if they are aware that television in the Uk now, is not capable of producing such classics anymore, due to British televisions' adoption of American broadcasting commercial policies. Never again will such epics be produced, due to the 'market' dictating content and style. It is bitterly ironic, as most Americans seem to admire our prestige tv productions...
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent
Review: This is truly one of the finest television series I have ever viewed on any historical subject, and certainly on post-Republican Rome. The characterizations are superb, and the twists and turns of plot are fascinating. Hurt as Caligula is impessive.
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