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The last decade of the 15th Century, the Renaissance, an enlightened era of immense scientific advancements, where intellectual and artistic endeavours changed the world and Europe became the centre of global commerce. It was the time of Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci and Botticelli. But amidst the deadly shadows of an archaic and crumbling Rome, extreme violence, depravity and corruption still have a stranglehold on the eternal city. Within this murderous abyss of treachery and death stands the infamous Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia (John Doman – The Wire). A ruthless man whose relentless lust for power is about to lead the church and the world into one of the most controversial and darkest chapters in known history.
Created by Tom Fontana (Oz) and directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall), Dearbhla Walsh (The Tudors), Metin Hüseyin (Merlin) and Christoph Schrewe, Borgia - Complete Season One contains 12 episodes.
Created by Tom Fontana (Oz) and directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall), Dearbhla Walsh (The Tudors), Metin Hüseyin (Merlin) and Christoph Schrewe, Borgia - Complete Season One contains 12 episodes.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Vine™ Review
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As most will know, there are 2 Borgia series running parallel with each other. The Borgias starring Jeremy Irons is the one most watch or know; it being stylistically similar to the 'The Tudors'.
'Borgia' by comparison, is slower paced and grittier. What flashes by in half an episode on 'The Borgias', is detailed over an episiode on 'Borgia'. I make no pretence at being a historical expert on either Italy or The Borgias, but of the 2, 'Borgia' appears more authentic. This might have to do with the quality of writers on board, including Larry Cohen (In Treatment) and Gina Gionfriddo (Law & Order). About the accents: I readily confess, it took me an episode to attune myself to John Doman who sounds like he just stepped out of The Godfather (actually he stepped out of The Wire), which I suspect was the producers intention, as there are obvious comparisons between The Borgias and The Corleones.
To sum up I am enjoying both series, but if I had to make a choice as to which one I would invest my time in, it would be 'Borgia'. That said my instinct tells me 'Borgia' might be cancelled before the story is finished.
'Borgia' by comparison, is slower paced and grittier. What flashes by in half an episode on 'The Borgias', is detailed over an episiode on 'Borgia'. I make no pretence at being a historical expert on either Italy or The Borgias, but of the 2, 'Borgia' appears more authentic. This might have to do with the quality of writers on board, including Larry Cohen (In Treatment) and Gina Gionfriddo (Law & Order). About the accents: I readily confess, it took me an episode to attune myself to John Doman who sounds like he just stepped out of The Godfather (actually he stepped out of The Wire), which I suspect was the producers intention, as there are obvious comparisons between The Borgias and The Corleones.
To sum up I am enjoying both series, but if I had to make a choice as to which one I would invest my time in, it would be 'Borgia'. That said my instinct tells me 'Borgia' might be cancelled before the story is finished.
123 of 144 people found the following review helpful
By Dancer
Format:DVD
It is 1492 Columbus has just discovered the America's, Ferdinand and Isabella have kicked the moors out of Spain, and with the pope on his deathbed Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia (Jeremy Irons) makes a power play to ascend to the Holy See. The stage is set for another Showtime historical Drama.
Coming off the back of the very successful Tudors series (even Henry ran out of wives in the end), Showtime have stuck with their audience and lavished the Borgia's with the big budget treatment. The story will be less familiar here in the UK, but in Renaissance Italy the Borgia's were a dynastic family (from Spain), contemporaries of the Medici's and Machiavelli. The tag line for the series is `The original crime family' and with good reason - Rodrigo and his family will stop at nothing in their quest for temporal and spiritual power, even Tony Soprano could admire their black manoeuvres, indeed the family's reputation for ruthlessness inspired Mario Puzo's to mold the characters featured in "The Godfather" after the real life Borgia's, yet like Tony they have to grapple with the reality of their actions.
The first season runs to just nine episodes, setting the stage, inviting us into Renaissance Italy, and introducing the players. The premiere starts with the death of the reigning Pope, which leaves a vacancy that ambitious Cardinal Rodrigo (Irons) intends to claim at any price. Through back room deals and other nefarious deeds, Rodrigo ascends to power while making a firm enemy of Cardinal Della Rovere (a solid Colm Feore)--an act that will have long range repercussions as the exiled Cardinal aligns with outside forces to unseat the Pope.... Read more ›
Coming off the back of the very successful Tudors series (even Henry ran out of wives in the end), Showtime have stuck with their audience and lavished the Borgia's with the big budget treatment. The story will be less familiar here in the UK, but in Renaissance Italy the Borgia's were a dynastic family (from Spain), contemporaries of the Medici's and Machiavelli. The tag line for the series is `The original crime family' and with good reason - Rodrigo and his family will stop at nothing in their quest for temporal and spiritual power, even Tony Soprano could admire their black manoeuvres, indeed the family's reputation for ruthlessness inspired Mario Puzo's to mold the characters featured in "The Godfather" after the real life Borgia's, yet like Tony they have to grapple with the reality of their actions.
The first season runs to just nine episodes, setting the stage, inviting us into Renaissance Italy, and introducing the players. The premiere starts with the death of the reigning Pope, which leaves a vacancy that ambitious Cardinal Rodrigo (Irons) intends to claim at any price. Through back room deals and other nefarious deeds, Rodrigo ascends to power while making a firm enemy of Cardinal Della Rovere (a solid Colm Feore)--an act that will have long range repercussions as the exiled Cardinal aligns with outside forces to unseat the Pope.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Vine™ Review
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if youre opne of those people who love historical tv/film or just indulging in the elaborate costumes and styles of any era then i dont think you will be disapointed with this one, its not normally my type of tv show and i was hesitant to watch it but after my husband nagging to get and watch it we did and all i can say is i should have watched it sooner... if youre sick of period dramas of the victorian era and fancy a change then try this i think youll be suprised at how much you may enjoy it, i did !!!i wont go into the story lines involved as a.) i dont want to spoil it for you and b.) its already covered in many other reviews so ill keep my reivew to the basics.
great value for money, superb acting and script writting as well as top quality costumes and sets. not sure how much is based on fact but hey everyone loves an exageration of history dont they !
would recommend to history lovers and lovers of drama. really enjoyed this and would watch again without hesitation
great value for money, superb acting and script writting as well as top quality costumes and sets. not sure how much is based on fact but hey everyone loves an exageration of history dont they !
would recommend to history lovers and lovers of drama. really enjoyed this and would watch again without hesitation
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
European TV series charting the heights of Borgia power in 15th Century
7 Oct 2012
Format:DVD|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
It's an interesting comparison, to see this series following the machinations of the Borgia family from 1492 onwards, so soon after the somewhat higher profile seemingly identically pitched Jeremy Irons starring version. While the two cover pretty much exactly the same ground story wise, they do dwell on different aspects of the Borgia and although I had seen the Irons version, I still enjoyed this.
I would suggest the performance of Pope Alexander here is a little more nuanced.. as I started watching it, I felt his performance was too reserved, but as the character developed it really did have layers.. not just an inhuman Machiavellan character, but someone who can order heinous crimes one moment, and cherish their family and show a soft spot for them the next. The supporting cast all work well, and the character of Cesare in particular is well developed here.
There is certainly an abundance of sex, but then there appears to have been in the Papal household at that time.. and if it seems "unattractive" to watch the pensioner Pope thrusting himself at a beautiful young waif.. well perhaps you're supposed to be uncomfortable. And on the other side of the scale, some of the tortures / executions are quite horrific, to the point of feeling voyeuristic rather than informative. Production design works ok, it's not as convincing and varied as the Hollywood version, but enough quality to keep you from being distracted from the plot, and the sparingly used cgi in establishing shots is pretty good by TV standards.
All in all a perfectly interesting historical series worth watching,though on the sensationalist side.. and if you've seen the Irons version, it does cover much of the same ground. Both of them, it has to be said, have been accused of not being terribly close to the known facts.... Read more ›
I would suggest the performance of Pope Alexander here is a little more nuanced.. as I started watching it, I felt his performance was too reserved, but as the character developed it really did have layers.. not just an inhuman Machiavellan character, but someone who can order heinous crimes one moment, and cherish their family and show a soft spot for them the next. The supporting cast all work well, and the character of Cesare in particular is well developed here.
There is certainly an abundance of sex, but then there appears to have been in the Papal household at that time.. and if it seems "unattractive" to watch the pensioner Pope thrusting himself at a beautiful young waif.. well perhaps you're supposed to be uncomfortable. And on the other side of the scale, some of the tortures / executions are quite horrific, to the point of feeling voyeuristic rather than informative. Production design works ok, it's not as convincing and varied as the Hollywood version, but enough quality to keep you from being distracted from the plot, and the sparingly used cgi in establishing shots is pretty good by TV standards.
All in all a perfectly interesting historical series worth watching,though on the sensationalist side.. and if you've seen the Irons version, it does cover much of the same ground. Both of them, it has to be said, have been accused of not being terribly close to the known facts.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Accents all over the place but grittier than The Borgias
Having watched The Borgias seasons 2 and 2 (and I'm eagerly awaiting the DVD version of season 3), I decided to watch this series for comparison's sake. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Ms. K. Johnston
3.0 out of 5 stars
Careful - many of the reviews are the wrong product!
There are many reviews on this product about "The Borgias" with Jeremy Irons. The trouble is, this DVD is NOT "The Borgias" with Jeremy Irons. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Kevin
5.0 out of 5 stars
great stuff
pretty dramatic and sexy stuff all the actors played their parts t perfection well worth the money and time welldone all
Published 12 days ago by shazbutxanda
5.0 out of 5 stars
Borgias Season 1 Blue Ray
Enthralling story of the manic attempts by the Borgias to attain power in the catholic church. Compelling viewing well directed and some fantastic acting.
Published 15 days ago by M. Fowler
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent buy
This film is has an excellent cast, and the acting is superb.
If anyone is thinking of buying it please do. Read more
If anyone is thinking of buying it please do. Read more
Published 16 days ago by peggles
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must-see drama!
I rate Borgia five stars because I love this gritty, interesting tail of the Borgia family enormously. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Monica Blom
4.0 out of 5 stars
made my hair curl
This was very good jeremy irons very sexy for a pope brilliant acting.well done to everyone would recommend to anyone with broad mind.
Published 25 days ago by Small and Mighty
3.0 out of 5 stars
It didn't quite live up to my expectations
Having read lots of books on this part of history for some reason the Borgias on DVD didn't quite live up to my expectations.
Published 1 month ago by janR
5.0 out of 5 stars
great series
great series worth a watch, dvd came on time with no issues the blu ray version is of great quailty
Published 1 month ago by Aaron
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent.
What a wonderful series. We missed it when it was on the television and I will have no hesitation in watching it again.
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. J. Mitchell
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