Rating: 
Summary: You have to have it
Review: Simply one of the finest television productions ever made with a who's who of British TV actors from the mid-70's many of whom went on the greater things - Derek Jacobi, Patrick Stewart, John Rhys-Davis, John Hurt, Sian Philips etc. The acting is extraordinary with special laurels to Brian Blessed who turned in the performance of his life as Augustus. Do ANYTHING to get hold of a copy, you'll never regret it.
Rating:
Summary: THE outstanding drama series of the 1970s
Review: When the series was first broadcast in 1976, many of us watched it in black and white. As with any big-budget BBC production, we could expect one repeat run after the BAFTA awards, but then the tapes would be locked away in the vaults of Broadcasting House. It was never intended for the scrutiny of repeated viewings on video or DVD. As with nearly all 1970s TV programmes, this has a mono soundtrack. The sharpness of the DVD mastering reveals many of the flaws in the actors' make-up -- the joins where Claudius's false nose and wig meet his skin can frequently be seen, for example.There are no location shots at all -- all scenes were filmed inside the BBC studios. Aside from the excellent characterisations and acting by the main players, most of the minor characters seem flat. Most of the young men, including members of the imperial family destined to be poisoned, just seem dull princes with 1970s haircuts and no idiosyncrasies. But it just doesn't matter. This is an absolutely glorious series, which brings back many memories of the 70s. One night a week for 12 weeks in 1977, we made sure we stayed in to watch the repeats of I, CLAUDIUS. From the moment that snake appears across the opening credits (later parodied in BLACKADDER) with the chainsaw buzz of the series' theme tune, we were hooked. Derek Jacobi is superb as the shy, handicapped, intelligent historian who never wanted to be emperor but ultimately attained the heights. (You can almost seem him as an early role model for Hugh Grant in FOUR WEDDINGS or NOTTING HILL.) The message I personally took away from these viewings as a teenager was this: don't be ambitious for status; don't stick out; just be true to your heart and work hard at whatever task comes your way. Watching it again in as a repeatedly tactless 43-year-old, I see that I somehow overlooked Claudius's extremely diplomatic, even fawning nature. There are lots of fantastic British character actors in minor roles -- e.g. Geoffrey Hinsliff, later to star in the excellent sitcom BRASS and the long-running UK soap, CORONATION STREET. Notice also, if you can, the actor who plays Gimli in the new LORD OF THE RINGS movies. Special mention should be made of Margaret Tyzack, who plays Claudius's mother outstandingly -- she is almost always ignored in reviews of this 12-part series, simply because there were so many major roles. If you haven't seen this series before, then beware the first episode, which is twice the length of the others, and much the worst. It's a scene-setter, a vehicle for establishing some of the key early characters, but it doesn't do quite enough to get the viewer to commit to watching the other 11 episodes which, as it happens, all sparkle with brilliance. At least two year after its US release, this DVD set is at last available in the UK. If it had been made by Americans, I guess we British would have criticised it for all its historical inaccuracies. But we must blame the original author of the books, Robert Graves, for these. Nearly everyone who saw the series has much affection for it, and we all hope we know a little more about Roman history. Perhaps what we learnt is really about the corruption that absolute power brings.
Rating:
Summary: The Emperor Has a Bull's Eye Tattooed to His Head
Review: Some of Rome's emperors were born great. Others achieved greateness, while still others had greatness thrust on them. The emperor Claudius was of the last category. He did not wish to wear the purple robe of majesty and it was only the choice of accepting the mantle or being killed that caused him to reconsider. Derek Jacobi as Claudius brings to life Robert Graves' twin novels (I, CLAUDIUS and CLAUDIUS THE GOD), both of which were smash bestsellers in the 1930s. In 1976, director Herbert Wise combined the two as I, CLAUDIUS, which became a mega-ratings hit. Those who rarely watched anything arty on MASTERPIECE THEATER watched this and were enthralled. What they saw was a saga of the corruption of the post Julius Caesar Roman empire. When Brutus and his fellow conspirators stabbed Caesar on the Ides of March, it was only Brutus who did so to bring back the probably non-existent ideals of the long-dead Roman republic. Derek Jacobi plays Claudius as the stuttering, clubfoot that he was, but he also manages to invest his character as a man who has a secret agenda: to restore the republic that had been quashed a full century before. After Caesar's assassination, each of his successors met a violent death. The competent Augustus (Brian Blessed) is poisoned by the sneaky Lavinia (Sian Phillips), who wants her son Tiberius (George Baker) to rule. Years later, Claudius sees how Tiberius is smothered by Caligula (John Hurt), who in a short time really trashes whatever dignity remains in the Roman mind. Still later, he sees Caligula gutted by assassins, who now force him to wear the crown. During the many years while all this was going on, Claudius uses his physical infirmities and his supposed mental shortcomings as a protective cloak against jealous rivals for the throne. He watches, he listens, he writes histories. He is reasonably happy with his life and his pretty young wife Messalina (Sheila White). It is only when he becomes emperor that the mini series becomes really interesting. Now for the first time, Claudius has to play the power game and he can no longer use his ailing body as a shield. In historical fact, Claudius was one of the better, more competent emperors, and in scene after scene Jacobi plays Claudius as a man of immense but flawed dignity. He is so busy with an audacious plot to restore the republic that he fails to learn from the tragic errors of his predecessors. At the end, the viewer has been treated to a sixty year montage of the initial rumblings of the fall of the Roman empire. He has seen up close the behind the scenes machinations of intrigue wielded by power-hungry brutes who see Rome only as a means of personal aggrandizemnent. He has seen that the high price for that infamy is sure and lethal. And he has seen a good emperor trying until the very end to restore the dignity of a country that had been sorely lacking for decades. Jacobi's Claudius is a man who is seen as trying to remain outside the innermost circle of the emperor's bull's eye, but ironically comes to realize that though most seek kingship for selfish reasons, a very few like him have it thrust upon them, exposing them to the perils of envious emperor wannabes. The real life Claudius would have been terribly upset to discover that his own low opinion of human nature was still several orders higher than the reality of that nature. In its historical sweep, its magnificent acting, its bitter realization of the realities of power, I, CLAUDIUS is not to be missed.
Rating: 
Summary: Great series, poor DVD production
Review: Most people reading this review are probably familiar with the series already. If not, rest-assured it is wonderful and well-worth the money and time you will need to own this DVD set and watch it. I can only give the DVD production 3 stars, however. The transfer is fine and crisp, but aside from a moderately interesting 1965 documentary about the failed attempt to produce a film based on Graves' books, there is no additional material. Even sub-titles for the hearing impaired would have been a great addition, to say nothing of a director's commentary. Someday I hope someone comes out with a real collector's edition of this series. A commentary by an historian would be worth a lot to me.
Rating:
Summary: The DVD I, Claudius: Perfection Improved Upon!
Review: I was one of the original fans of I, Claudius when it was shown on Masterpiece Theater in the 1970s. When the VHS version was released in the early 1990s I bought a set and have enjoyed it many times. When I noticed that the tapes were becoming somewhat worn I bought the DVD version. There is only one word for this series on DVD: magnificent! For the first time I truly appreciated the sumptuousness of the sets and costumes. Marble shines, jewels sparkle, the silks almost rustle. The colors are amazing. The audio is excellent as well. Every aside, whisper, and stammer is crystal clear, unlike the VHS version where sometimes all you hear are mutters. If you are not familiar with the story, I,Claudius is the history of the reigns of the first five Roman Emperors as envisoned by Robert Graves in the 1930s. The Julio-Claudians ruled their empire but could not control their own passions or their own relatives. Every episode is brimful of intrigue, passion, and wicked humor. Also included in this DVD set is a documentary on "The Epic That Never Was" about the first time I,Claudius was to be filmed. The interviews with the surviving stars and the bits and pieces
that have survived from the film before it was cancelled reveal it to have been possibly one of the great films of the 1930s.
Rating:
Summary: Incomparable portrait of a dysfunctional family
Review: This is one of the greatest films ever. The acting is uniformly superb (the camerawork emphazizes this by very effective closeups which clearly reveal the character's thoughts and felings), and the script is literate, insightful and mordantly witty. For me, Livia is the most central character, even more than that of Claudius himself, for it is her treacherous, vicious and murderous actions, and the soul destroying effect it has on others, that creates the fear, distrust, sadism and brutality that ultimately brings about the downfall of the Claudian royal family. The ultimate irony is that while she truly believed that by securing the throne for her son, Tiberius (who she, again ironically, felt contempt for) through getting rid of all those who stood in the way, she was actually securing the survival of the Claudians, she was actually tearing that family apart. As Livia, Sian Phillips creates an unforgettable portrait of a woman who is supremely brilliant, forceful, cunning and filled with contempt for humanity (as demonstrated by the attitude she displays towards the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of those around her). She really inhabits her very demanding role to a degree that I have never seen surpassed.
I have never seen any other film that puts the dark side of human behavior under a microscope as this one does so memorably.
Rating:
Summary: Incomparable portrait of a dysfunctional family
Review: This is one of the greatest films ever. The acting is uniformly superb (the camerawork emphasizes this by very effective closeups which clearly reveal the character's thoughts and feelings), and the script is literate, insightful and mordantly witty. For me, Livia is the most central character, even more than that of Claudius himself, for it is her treacherous, vicious and murderous actions, and the soul destroying effect it has on others, that creates the fear, distrust, sadism and brutality that ultimately brings about the downfall of the Claudian royal family. The ultimate irony is that while Livia truly believed that by securing the throne for her son, Tiberius (who she, again ironically, felt contempt for) by getting rid of all those who stood in the way, she was actually securing the survival of the Claudians, the effect of her actions was actually to tear that family apart. As Livia, Sian Phillips creates an unforgettable portrait of a woman who is supremely brilliant, forceful, cunning and filled with contempt for humanity (as demonstrated by the attitude she displays towards the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of those around her). She really inhabits her very demanding role to a degree that I have never seen surpassed.
I have never seen any other film that puts the dark side of human behavior under a microscope as this one does so memorably.
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing Performances/Awful Sound
Review: This is an acting tour de force especially the performance of Siân Phillips who is absolutely brilliant. Unfortunately the picture is not very brilliant, nor is the sound, which is awful. I had to pump the sound level on the TV to the top level and turn on the stereo speakers and I still couldn't hear what they were saying at times. However, performances like these come along very rarely, especially today. I doubt you will see this kind of greatness on American TV again. Luckily they restored the original opening with the African dance. It had been cut for US audiences when originally presented in prudish American. I do wonder though if the scene where Claudius opens the door on Drucilla, after Caligula had eaten her baby, showed the horror of what he had just done. It seems to me that there is an abrupt cut in the scene as if we were meant to look inside the door but a censor decided we shouldn't see what was there. That has always bothered me!
Rating:
Summary: De gustibus non disputandum est...
Review: "There is no disputing taste." I loved the mini-series on BBC, and jumped at the chance to pick up Claudius on DVD. The series is based on the books "I, Claudius" and "Claudius the God" by Robert Graves. It definitely helps to have read the books before seeing the mini-series, as the books provide much more background (perhaps too much, in some cases) for various people and events. This series begins with Emperor Claudius writing his memoirs, then fades back into his youth. Born with a club foot and a stammer, the young Claudius is thought to be a buffoon... an idiot. He is actually quite bright. Early on, though, he is advised to exaggerate the stammer and play the fool. Strange advice, but it serves well. Rome is full of intrigue, generally revolving around the Emperor's throne. Augustus is Emperor, and his wife Livia (who is also Claudius' grandmother) is the power behind the throne. Livia is a remarkable woman. She desires that her son Tiberius become the next emperor, and has no compunctions about assassinating anyone who gets in the way. Livia manages to murder Claudius' father and brothers, as well as a few other people who get in the way. But she is fooled by Claudius' charade of idiocy, so she ignores him. She gets her way; Tiberius does become emperor.... I shan't say much more about what happens next. It's a very good story. It's not suitable for pre-teens, as there are some frank references to sex, and quite a bit of violence and blood - the scene where Caligula stops Gemellus' cough (by having his head cut off) comes to mind. It amused me to notice that Patrick Stewart had an important role in this mini-series - as one of the most notorious villains. Patrick Stewart *with* hair, mind you!
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece!
Review: I, Claudius is a gripping tale of the emperors of ancient Rome and the world they lived in.
The actors are very succesfull in their portrayal of the characters and the settings still believable in spite of the fact that the show was produced over 20 years ago.
This show is a masterpiece in television history.
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