Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
Product Description
Big budget, six episode BBC drama about the Roman Empire starring popular British actors. Focusing on the known history of the 500 year Roman Empire rather than fictionalising it, this drama-documentary dissects the most written about of historic periods. 500 years are covered in six episodes by focusing on key turning points for the empire.
Synopsis
This dramatised documentary series tells the story of the rise and fall of Ancient Rome through the six key turning points. Factually accurate and based on extensive historical research, it reveals how the greed, lust and ambition of men like Caesar, Nero and Constantine shaped the Roman Empire. It describes how Rome destroyed Carthage, was conquered by Caesar, how it suppressed the Jewish revolt, and converted to Christianity. CGI is mixed with compelling drama and spectacular live-action battles to tell the definitive television story of how the Empire was formed, how it achieved maximum power, and why it eventually failed.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 42 people found the following review helpful
By Luis
Format:DVD
While this BBC series does not have the fine scenery details and generally superior acting of HBO Rome, it is a good mixture of history and drama. Through its 6 chapters, the series touches some less known (popular) episodes of Roman history, including the emperor Constantine and his conversion to christianism, or the chain of betrayal between Rome last emperors and Allarico, king of the Godes. Overall, I highly recommend this series. I would love a more complete version that allocates a more even treatment of the almost 1000 years of Rome history: one or two episodes for every 100 years?
67 of 71 people found the following review helpful
By KN
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
Having been a history buff at school and since then reliant on the odd TV series or Hollywood remake, I decided to try out this series. It focuses on the period when the Roman Republic was crumbling (~52BC) up to the fall of Rome (476AD). I must say this was a very good series to watch, with lots of political intrigue, assassinations and some battles thrown in. The format was different with it part narrated and part dramatized, but it works quite well. The standout episode was the second one covering Nero. The actor (Michael Sheen) portraying the mad Emperor was outstanding, though I was surprised that there was no mention of the persecution of Christians in the Great Fire story.
I only gave it 4 stars because I think Ancient Rome had other critical periods too, such as the Punic Wars and the epic battles against Hannibal, and of course what happened directly after Caesar's assassination. A lot of the BBC history series tend to limit themselves to 6 episodes but I am one of those people that want more information. I think some more could have been added as extras to this DVD set. Nevertheless, I rate it very highly and recommend it happily.
I only gave it 4 stars because I think Ancient Rome had other critical periods too, such as the Punic Wars and the epic battles against Hannibal, and of course what happened directly after Caesar's assassination. A lot of the BBC history series tend to limit themselves to 6 episodes but I am one of those people that want more information. I think some more could have been added as extras to this DVD set. Nevertheless, I rate it very highly and recommend it happily.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
When i first accidentally stumbled across this series on BBC One in 2006 i was pleasantly suprised.
The reason for this is because i have found most programmes Dramas,Comedies and Documentaries produced by the BBC in the 00's quite sanitised, overly politically correct and patronizing to anyone who has an interest in a given subject.
With 'Ancient Rome' however is a good mix of live action history and narration and is actually quite good at helping you imagine what the Roman Empire used to look like.
What also helps is the actors and actresses who participated in the programme such as Michael Sheen as Nero, David Threfall as Constantine and Sean Pertwee as Julius Caesar.
The dialogue at times can be quite shakey but luckily the actors manage to help you ignore this at times.
I would suggest this to anyone with a love for History and would be great to show children this for History Projects at school.
List Of Episodes:
1.Caesar
2.Nero
3.Jewish Rebellion
4.Revolution
5.Constantine
6.The Fall of Rome
Not as good as 'I Claudius' but definitley better and less controversial and gratitous than 'Rome'
The reason for this is because i have found most programmes Dramas,Comedies and Documentaries produced by the BBC in the 00's quite sanitised, overly politically correct and patronizing to anyone who has an interest in a given subject.
With 'Ancient Rome' however is a good mix of live action history and narration and is actually quite good at helping you imagine what the Roman Empire used to look like.
What also helps is the actors and actresses who participated in the programme such as Michael Sheen as Nero, David Threfall as Constantine and Sean Pertwee as Julius Caesar.
The dialogue at times can be quite shakey but luckily the actors manage to help you ignore this at times.
I would suggest this to anyone with a love for History and would be great to show children this for History Projects at school.
List Of Episodes:
1.Caesar
2.Nero
3.Jewish Rebellion
4.Revolution
5.Constantine
6.The Fall of Rome
Not as good as 'I Claudius' but definitley better and less controversial and gratitous than 'Rome'
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see the review
4.0 out of 5 stars
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Hollywood at its worst
I presume hollywood. A glamourised, glitzy production of one of the most dramatic periods of history. totaly spoilt by a seeming obsession with sleaze rather than pivotal moments.
Published 15 days ago by Jennifer Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Serie
Tank's
Ive received the DVD on time and on good conditions.
The DVD was helpfull on my interest of Roman civilization.
BR.
Victor
Ive received the DVD on time and on good conditions.
The DVD was helpfull on my interest of Roman civilization.
BR.
Victor
Published 1 month ago by V. Pereira
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ancient Rome The rise and fall of an empire
Seems to be comparable with other histories of the period but there are some inaccuracies. I'll run it by my mother-in-law.
Published 2 months ago by Higgerunt
3.0 out of 5 stars
Informative and interesting but lacking authenticity
This DVD explained in a fair amount of detail six important parts of Roman history. Sadly, there appeared to be no effort to choose actors who even remotely resembled their famous... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Ben N
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Series
There arent that many series around that depict ancient rome and its important events with such accuracy and entertainment. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mark Turner
2.0 out of 5 stars
More Fighting?
Wow....really was surprised to see so much fighting again in another docu drama on Roman Empire. (hope you catch my sarcasm).
Published 8 months ago by horoscopy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good support material
I actually read the book of Ancient Rome: the Rise and Fall of an Empire by Simon Baker before buying this series. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mme E. Bassetti
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excelent BBC Documentary Series - well done.
The DVD arrived on time and was an excellent choice to watch over the weekend 5 stars to the ratio price/quality
Published 12 months ago by Nikolaos Lodakis
2.0 out of 5 stars
Could try harder
It looks like they have already run out of money in the pre production phase. The acting is variable, there is very little back story before your are catapualted into the reign of... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Barry Wom
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent production
Ancient Rome is a fabulous series. It is a great series and it is good to have it on DVD.
. The first episode concerns the story of Caesar who brought revolution to Rome. Read more
. The first episode concerns the story of Caesar who brought revolution to Rome. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Miss M. Potter
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
- Film & TV > Documentary > History
- Film & TV > Television > Drama
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
