The Caesars - The Complete Series (2 Disc Set) [DVD] [1968]

Rome 14 AD. Augustus (Roland Culver) has been Emperor for 40 years. In his youth he had put an end to 100 years of civil war - but the price was the end of the Republic. Now he is old and worried about the future. To preserve the Pax Romana he needs to appoint a successor but none of his descendents is suitable. So what should he do? He decides to nominate Tiberius as a stop gap until his great-grandson is old enough, thus creating an Imperial Line.

Unfortunately for Augustus, his family do not live up to his high ideals as they attempt to marry, scheme, plot, and murder their way to the throne. On the way we meet: the handsome but inept Germanicus (Eric Flynn); the scheming Agrippina (Caroline Blakiston); the unwilling but ruthless Tiberius (Andre Morell); the murderous Sejanus (Barrie Ingham); and the downright evil Caligula (Ralph Bates). Watching all this is Claudius (Freddy Jones). Claudius is regarded a s a dimwit because of his club-foot and stutter - but he is the most intelligent of the lot.

The Caesars (1968) was one of the last major series to be made in black and white and is an example of the quality drama made by ITV at it's peak. It consists of six episodes, each concentrating on one of the major players. It was written by Philip Mackie and was highly acclaimed at the time. Freddy Jones was awarded the TV best actor award at Cannes for his portrayal of Claudius. The Caesars is set about 50 years after the mini-series Rome(2005) and covers roughly the same period as I Claudius (1976); although from a different perspective. It is easily the equal to, if not better than, either of these mini-series.

The six episodes are:

(1) Augustus: Who should succeed him?

(2) Germanicus: The legions on the Rhine have risen up and declared for Germanicus. Should he march on Rome or put down the rebellion?

(3) Tiberius: As the number of palace plots multiply, Tiberius needs to become increasingly ruthless.

(4) Sejanus: Tiberius retires to Capri and leaves his trusted friend Sejanus in charge. Sejanus, however, has other plans.

(5) Caligula: Tiberius is dead and Caligula is Emperor. After a serious illness he believes that he is a God.

(6) Claudius: As Caligula becomes more deranged and erratic, can Claudius survive?

This set consists of two DVDs, each containing three 50 minute episodes. The only special feature is on the second DVD and consists of a large collection of colour stills. These stills show the full grandeur of the production and make you wish that it was filmed in colour.

Finally, it should be remembered that The Caesars is 40 years old. It is in black & white, filmed in a studio, and there are no special effects. Most TV work from this period is lost but, thankfully, The Caesars has been preserved in the form of VCR to film archival prints. Unfortunately, this material is not up to the standard of modern DVDs and there is some visible damage. That said, these imperfections are minor, and the shear power of the drama will sweep you along.

I joined Amazon UK (I'm an American) just to buy this DVD, based on the strength of IMDB reviews. Not only was I not disappointed, I've viewed this set over a half dozen times. This series is a must for all fans of Roman history, and those looking for well scripted mini-series of the "masterpiece theater" ilk. I'm sure that the black and white, rather grainy video is what has kept this fine production from the American market. Unfortunate, as the performance by Andre Morell as Tiberius is stunning. If one goes by the gossip of Suetonius, Tiberius was an evil pustule of no consequence. In truth, he was the second Caesar, and gave Rome 20 years of additional peace, perhaps ensuring the continuance of the monarchy, and had to rule in the long shadow of Augustus.

There are six episodes: Augustus, Germanicus, Tiberius, Sejanus, Caligula, and Claudius. Tiberius is the primary figure in the first five, Caligula in the last. Comparisons to I, Claudius are unavoidable, and this series preceded the eponymous Derek Jacobi work. Better than I, Claudius?? Certainly different, if not better written in some ways, and Andre Morell is mesmerizing.

[Aside to Americans or others afraid of buying the "wrong" region: The discs play on your computer no problem, or on a "region free" DVD player - take the plunge; I've been very pleased with gaining access to otherwise "lost" material

As someone who likes any film or show with a toga, rates I Claudius as the best series ever and loved "Rome" it came as a shock to discover a series I'd never heard of about the early emperors and one made in my own back yard by Granada TV. Perhaps the reason for this is that having been made in black and white just before the colour revolution "The Caesars" now looks like something from the 1930s.

This is a shame because once you get over that shock this is a an ambitious and I think succesful attempt to examine the psychology of the early emperors. I can't but help think that much of the characterisation set the template for the much more famous "I Claudius" to follow.

The series focuses on the strange relationship the early emperors had with their power. Like all Romans they were ambitious to achieve glory for their family and Rome but also felt uncomfortable with absolute power and shunned much of its trappings. The central character is Tiberius and rightly so. He is one of history's great paradoxes - a man of enormous ability but whom his contemporaries and historians would vilify. Why? Because, if you believe the series, he could never be bothered to pretend he didn't enjoy the power but could not give it up.
True or not I don't know but as a super aristicratic Claudian he would have expected power and glory (and he merited it) but it came to him by gift not achievement.

All the other characters are measured against him. Augustus charming but ruthless, Germanicus vacillating, Livia and Agrippina power hungry, Sejanus and Macro ambitious and Caligula mad. All these stories are told and you are left sympathising with Tiberius. The story ends with Claudius and tkaing power. His reaction to power is unexpected; basically you feel he is not overly fond of the role but concludes that despite the madness of Caligula Rome needs an emperor not a republic any more. After him the emperors will no longer be equivocal about power.