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I, Claudius [Complete BBC series, uncut] [1976]


RRP: £17.99
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

A truly epic saga of dynastic conflict at the heart of Imperial Rome, I Claudius was the landmark BBC drama series of the 1970s. Originally transmitted as 13 50-minute episodes, it is now available as two double video packs. After chronicling the foundations of the British Empire in Elizabeth R (1971), the BBC chose to dramatise the human face of ancient Rome as interpreted by Robert Graves in his two enormously complex novels, I Claudius and Claudius The God. Derek Jacobi gives one of the greatest television performances ever as Claudius, the appalled chronicler of the decadence, corruption, intrigue and carnage which comes with absolute power of his ruling family. Augustus (Brian Blessed) is Emperor and Sian Phillips, Livia, his scheming, ambitious wife, Claudius' aunt. By virtue of his stammer and uncontrollable twitches, Claudius passes for a fool, thus escaping the poisonous machinations of Livia, all the while recording the comings and goings of the Imperial household. Inevitably lacking the visual scale of cinematic features Ben-Hur (1959) and Spartacus (1960), and today looking more studio-bound than ever, I Claudius remains a television masterpiece of intelligently written and rivetingly intense character drama. The saga ends with I Claudius - Part 2. --Gary S. Dalkin

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

A truly epic saga of dynastic conflict at the heart of Imperial Rome, I Claudius was the landmark BBC drama series of the 1970s. Originally transmitted as 13 50-minute episodes, the series dramatises the human face of ancient Rome as interpreted by Robert Graves in his two enormously complex novels, I, Claudius and Claudius The God. Derek Jacobi gives one of the greatest television performances ever as Claudius, the appalled chronicler of the decadence, corruption, intrigue and carnage which comes with the absolute power of his ruling family. Augustus (Brian Blessed) is Emperor and Livia (Sian Phillips) his scheming, ambitious wife, Claudius' aunt. By virtue of his stammer and uncontrollable twitches, Claudius passes for a fool, thus escaping the poisonous machinations of Livia, all the while recording the comings and goings of the Imperial household. Events become increasingly frenzied as Caligula (John Hurt playing the tyrant with psychotic fury) bloodily slaughters his way to power, making a senator of his favourite horse along the way. Claudius eventually becomes Emperor himself, and Jacobi is simply magnificent in the intensely moving finale, which is not to overlook the rest of a fine cast, including George Baker, Ian Ogilvy, Christopher Guard, Stratford Johns, John Rhys-Davies, Bernard Hepton and Patrick Stewart as the murderous Praetorian Guard Captain Sejanus. Inevitably lacking the visual scale of cinematic features such as Ben-Hur, and today looking more studio-bound than ever, I, Claudius remains a television masterpiece of intelligently written and rivetingly intense character drama. --Gary S. Dalkin

Great series, but no Charles Laughton
Review date: 2008-11-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

Great series. Who needs special effects or convincing sets?

However, amongst the cast listed are Charles Laughton and Josef Von Sternberg. This is a remarkable achievement since Josef Von Sternberg had been dead for 7 years in 1976, and Charles Laughton had been dead for 14 years. Von Sternberg had attempted to film I Claudius in 1937, starring Laughton, but the film was never finished. Hope this clears things up a bit!

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Reviews


brian blessed please!!
Review date: 2008-06-13 Rating: 10 out of 10

I had the original videos for years. Read the books by Robert Graves until the covers fell off. Five stars apart from BB What a ham. He lets his generation down and should never have been included in the cast. The rest of the cast are jewels of their age not so BB Glad to see he is no longer heard of.Up Pompei would have loved him

Learn politics watch this

The most understated death scene ever?
Review date: 2008-05-03 Rating: 10 out of 10

Utterly brilliant with a superb cast and dialogue, brilliant acting and direction, for any Roman empire enthusiasts this is a must. In this series we're spoilt for scenes that have staggeringly good acting, however the one that is (for me) most memorable is the death scene of Augustus whilst Livia is heard talking in the background. I run out of superlatives to describe the brilliance of Brian Blessed's acting ... utterly superb.

An Important Benchmark in Television Drama - Superb
Review date: 2007-10-10 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is a wonderful series covering the scandal and intrigue of Rome's first family from the reign of Augustus through to Nero, as told through the eyes and pen of Claudius. Claudius appears to be a stuttering, lame half-wit, but these apparent weaknesses disguise a keen intellect and an historian's eye for detail. The casting is inspired and the performances are first-class, particularly Derek Jacobi as Claudius, John Hurt as Caligula, and Brian Blessed as Augustus. The series is based on two books by Robert Graves: "I, Claudius" and "Claudius the God" - the script is powerful, intelligent and entertaining. This really is spellbinding television and was years ahead of its day when first aired. This series set the standard for all period pieces that followed and it remains the benchmark for quality television drama today. It turned many virtually unknown actors into stars. Highly recommended.

An absolute classic!
Review date: 2007-09-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

Superbly acted BBC drama... A wonderful experience. To subtract stars for it not being historically accurate is petty beyond belief... Of course it's fiction... It's based on a novel, not an historical text!

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Derek Jacobi
John Hurt
George Baker
Brian Blessed
Siân Phillips

Creators:
Derek Jacobi (Primary Contributor)
John Hurt (Primary Contributor)
Jack Pulman (Writer)
Robert Graves (Writer)

Recording label: Movie Power
Manufacturer: Movie Power
EAN: 8715664019467
Binding: DVD
Format: Dolby, PAL,
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Region code: 2
Running time: 670 minutes
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)

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