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Amazon.co.uk Review
Herbert Wise, who had previously directed part of Elizabeth R (1971), and who would helm the BBC Television Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1979), concludes his study of the ruthless conflicts of Rome's First Family. Events become increasingly frenzied as Caligula bloodily slaughters his way to power, making a senator of his favourite horse along the way. Fresh from The Naked Civil Servant (1975), John Hurt plays the tyrant with psychotic fury, a role reworked for the big screen by Malcolm McDowell in the world's first, and last, hardcore pornographic epic, Caligula (1979). This is fortunately more subtle, with the drama seeing Claudius effectively age from youth to old age, eventually becoming Emperor. Derek 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 and Bernard Hepton. Patrick Stewart meanwhile moves through the ages, from the murderous Praetorian Guard Captain Sejanus, to the rather more heroic Captain Picard of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1986-93). I Claudius was abortively filmed in 1937 by Charles Laughton, and it might be supposed the original novels at least partly inspired Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast, serialised by the BBC in 2000. --Gary S. Dalkin
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's 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
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
88 of 88 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
BBC DRAMA AT ITS BEST,
By MR BEN W HALTON (London, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
This review is from: I Claudius - Complete BBC Series (5 Disc Box Set) [DVD] [1976] (DVD)
An epic soap opera following the life and times of the great imperial Cesars in Rome at the height of its world power. Massive helpings of sex, intrigue, violence and madness all acted with gusto by a stellar British cast, aided by a witty script and skillful direction. Both Derek Jacobi as Claudius and especially John Hurt as Caligula are absolutely mesmerising. If you know nothing of this period in history you will learn much even if a great deal of artistic license was used by Robert Graves in his books on which this series is based. Knowing how each member of the extended and inter-married imperial family is related to the other can be sometimes confusing but is essential in following the plot and if you pay sufficient attention you will be rewarded. Some great extras on the DVD too with an hour long retrospective containing interviews with all the major players and the cast choosing their favourite scenes being among the best. Theres an absolutely essential family tree as well but its a bit of a spoiler so best left til last. ...As well as being a great example of why the BBC was once so deserving of its reputation as a leading force in TV drama throughout the world, what you are getting here is the chance to immerse yourself for a few hours in a gripping story set in a studio-bound but convincingly Roman world, one that you will be utterly grateful you had the great fortune not to have been born into.
69 of 69 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The very best of BBC drama, excellently acted throughout.,
By Helen Gabell (UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: I Claudius - Complete BBC Series (5 Disc Box Set) [DVD] [1976] (DVD)
I saw this on when I was at school back in the 70's, when it was first shown (twice a week), and when it was repeated in the 80's. I have since bought the videos. This dedication must go some way to show how incredibly powerful the acting and script are in this portrayal of Imperial Roman life from Augustus to Nero. Personally I can't wait to see them restored on DVD, complete with cast interviews.The power of this series lay in it's use of small sets, making the intrigue far more personal and believable. Poison dripped from every word, look and gesture of Sian Phillips as Livia. John Hurt was incredibly disturbed & disturbing as Caligula, and Derek Jacobi was amazing as Claudius, surviving when all around fell. The biggest problem with I Claudius is that the acting and story are so powerful, I often find myself thinking of the actors Roman characters when I see them in other things. This is a must watch piece of classic BBC drama, with the cream of British acting talent.
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not to be missed,
By A Customer
This review is from: I Claudius - Box Set [VHS] [1976] (VHS Tape)
If anyone has ever wanted to understand how the early Roman imperial dynasty operated, they can do no better than to watch this. The drama brings it all vividly to life with a unsurpassed cast (I especially like the Empress Livia magnificently played by Sian Phillips). At times, dark, comic, disturbing and even camp, this is probably the finest production the BBC has produced. I would even recommend that the contented viewer pick up the original novels by Robert Graves which are literary gems and certainly complement this. Rather than constraining it, the confined studio acting brings it alive - you won't find this subtlety or realism in 'Gladiator' or 'Ben Hur'. These characters are real human beings with real weaknesses. You have to wonder why they don't put this on DVD instead of so much other rubbish.
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