I, Claudius (BBC Series)

[RJMooreII]

I must seriously recommend the BBC miniseries 'I, Claudius' to anyone interested in historical drama or plain great acting. The Roman Emperor Claudius is known to have written several memoirs (in addition to histories of the Etruscans), but unfortunately none of these survive with us today. The English poet, translator and commentator Robert Graves decided to correct this divine oversight by writing two novels in the guise of Claudius' memoirs: I, Claudius and Claudius the God. Combining his deep knowledge of Roman history, politics and the classics he blends them together with artistic license and great ability to present a vivid and engaging portrait of the early Empire and the people who ruled it.

In 1976 the BBC produced a twelve part series based upon the books, and combined excellent casting, directing and screen writing to produce one of the best historical dramas I have ever seen. The whole cast is noteworthy, but in particular Brian Blessed does some of his best work in this series. As it can be got for under $30 online and amounts to 6 1/2 hours or so of fascinating material I highly recommend purchasing it.

 

[GoodSarmatian]

I've heard about the series, but never seen it apart from some short clips on youtube.
Kind of weird seeing Patrick Stewart with hair.

 

[Lord of Elves]

I've only seen a few episodes, but it's very good. If I was more aware of Roman history, I'd probably have an even higher appreciation for it.

 

[RJMooreII]

I've only seen a few episodes, but it's very good. If I was more aware of Roman history, I'd probably have an even higher appreciation for it.

It's really quite accurate, it is mostly based on actual history and what isn't is almost entirely taken from classical sources (i.e., gossip hounds) so it at least plays well to what people at the time would have thought plausible. It's kind of odd, but I really enjoy knowing exactly how every event will play out, haha.

 

[sophie]

Derek Jacobi=<3

 

[RJMooreII]

Derek Jacobi=<3

He was in Gladiator, too; probably an homage to I, Claudius and his stage work as Augustus Caesar.

 

[sophie]

He was in Gladiator, too; probably an homage to I, Claudius and his stage work as Augustus Caesar.

I preferred him in Gosford Park. That was a much better cameo

Have you seen Cadfael? He's fantastic in that.

 

[RJMooreII]

No, I haven't seen Cadfael.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

I must seriously recommend the BBC miniseries 'I, Claudius' to anyone interested in historical drama or plain great acting. The Roman Emperor Claudius is known to have written several memoirs (in addition to histories of the Etruscans), but unfortunately none of these survive with us today. The English poet, translator and commentator Robert Graves decided to correct this divine oversight by writing two novels in the guise of Claudius' memoirs: I, Claudius and Claudius the God. Combining his deep knowledge of Roman history, politics and the classics he blends them together with artistic license and great ability to present a vivid and engaging portrait of the early Empire and the people who ruled it.

In 1976 the BBC produced a twelve part series based upon the books, and combined excellent casting, directing and screen writing to produce one of the best historical dramas I have ever seen. The whole cast is noteworthy, but in particular Brian Blessed does some of his best work in this series. As it can be got for under $30 online and amounts to 6 1/2 hours or so of fascinating material I highly recommend purchasing it.

I have lost count of how many times I've re-read my copies of these two books. And I've watched my old VHS tapes until they're nearly worn out. I can actually quote whole parts of this series from memory.

Derek Jacobi=<3

He was in Gladiator, too; probably an homage to I, Claudius and his stage work as Augustus Caesar.

Derek Jacobi is the only reason I enjoyed Gladiator as much as I did (which wasn't all that much).

Anyone here see the Branagh version of Henry V? Derek Jacobi played the Chorus in that movie. Brian Blessed was also in it.

And for a more lighthearted take on I, Claudius... Benny Hill did a spoof of it (and Hill did a marvelous job of imitating Derek Jacobi's mannerisms).

This series (and the subsequent research I did on the Julio-Claudian dynasty) is why I cannot possibly take Rome seriously except as eye candy. Considering that Julia's entire existence was written out of history in Rome by having Octavian's first wife be Livia instead of Scribonia...

 

[RJMooreII]

This series (and the subsequent research I did on the Julio-Claudian dynasty) is why I cannot possibly take Rome seriously except as eye candy. Considering that Julia's entire existence was written out of history in Rome by having Octavian's first wife be Livia instead of Scribonia...

Why do they do this crap? I swear, I never much liked most movies or shows to begin with but the older I get the more I begin to despise the hacks behind it. It's like they're all half-wits with no taste. Even the normal plebians are getting sick of their formulaic crap.

 

[Dachs]

The whole cast is noteworthy, but in particular Brian Blessed BRIAN BLESSED does some of his best work in this series.

Fixed.

Have you seen Cadfael? He's fantastic in that.

You're so Welsh.

Why do they do this crap? I swear, I never much liked most movies or shows to begin with but the older I get the more I begin to despise the hacks behind it. It's like they're all half-wits with no taste. Even the normal plebians are getting sick of their formulaic crap.

Combining his deep knowledge of Roman history, politics and the classics he blends them together with artistic license and great ability to present a vivid and engaging portrait of the early Empire and the people who ruled it.

 

[sophie]

Fixed.

You're so Welsh.

SHADDAP, YOOOOUUU!

Oh sweet, sweet delicious irony. It's much better when you can see it from afar too

 

[Kyriakos]

Used to be shown on the state channel here every summer. Might still be in fact.

 

[RJMooreII]

Dachs: Artistic license is not the same thing as arbitrarily screwing around with things to make it fit some lame-ass Matrix-300 vibe. Or perhaps the answer would be that the latter are artists with bad taste and only half a brain.

 

[Arakhor]

I liked Cadfael too, but then I'm a mediaeval history/mystery buff. I'm also a great fan of both Sir Derek Jacobi and Sir Patrick Stewart. BRIAN BLESSED!! needs to be seen to be believed.

 

[spryllino]

My Latin teacher showed us ten minutes of this every week for about a year; I recollect it being pretty awful.

Spoiler :

Although that might be a combination of it being butchered into ten-minute chunks and the Latin teacher and me more or less being the only people in the room who had a clue what was going on.