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Ancient Rome The Rise And Fall Of An Empire [DVD] [2006]
 
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Ancient Rome The Rise And Fall Of An Empire [DVD] [2006]

DVD ~ James D'Arcy
4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
RRP: £19.99
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Frequently Bought Together

Ancient Rome The Rise And Fall Of An Empire [DVD] [2006] + Spartans - The Rise & Fall (Including the story of the 300) [DVD] + Ancient Rome [DVD]
Total RRP: £45.97
Price For All Three: £25.94

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Product details

  • Actors: James D'Arcy, Geraldine James, Sean Pertwee, Michael Sheen, Catherine McCormack
  • Format: Anamorphic, PAL
  • Language English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
  • Number of discs: 2
  • Classification: 12
  • Studio: 2 Entertain Video
  • DVD Release Date: 23 Oct 2006
  • Run Time: 360 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B000GY8Z2K
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 6,011 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

    Popular in this category:

    #20 in  DVD > Documentary > History

Reviews

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.

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Customer Reviews

20 Reviews
5 star:
 (9)
4 star:
 (6)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (20 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
58 of 60 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good series...but wish it covered more, 11 Jul 2008
By KN (Lancs. UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)      
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.
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52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable but flawed, 19 April 2008
By Elizabeth Taylor "Barsine" (France) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)      
This DVD consists of 6 episodes each covering an event which took place during the period of the Roman Empire and which the creators consider to be pivotal. The format is a docu-drama - by that I mean that within each episode there are a number of actors playing roles of famous romans, who follow a script which portrays the events that took place. To deal with the obvious problem of how to make sure we know what the events and characters are talking about, there is a commentary filling in the gaps - delivered by one of those chaps you hear in cinema adverts - with a confident, strong delivery method which implies he is delivering the information as if it were the 10 commandments written on tablets of stone. So, confident that of course none of the events or incidents could ever be considered untrue or have some analysis behind them.

This format has its benefits and drawbacks. The characters in the drama sections are played by well known and therefore good actors who deliver the lines well. The battle scenes are not what one would expect from a movie set but are not bad given what I would expect of the BBC budget. This format is therefore excellent for keeping attention, as its short bursts of good acting followed by a dialogue on the events but overall its also disappointing as the events chosen are completely separate from each other, whereas if this was a drama there would be consistency throughout and it ends up being neither one thing or the other.. The events covered are also not necessarilly everyones choice covering ; including fun stuff like Ceasar & Nero and Constantine but also less well know pieces like the Jewish Revot.

In summary I am not a great fan of this format as if the BBC was going to take the time and money to pay these good actors and build these scenes why not make a drama series along the lines of HBO Rome or I Claudius, you can't beat the romans for intrigue, places, events, scandal, sex, politics, battle scenes etc.. etc.. To me this format is a compromise which fails its a documentary of events, where actors play characters, but, there is no historical analysis as one would expect in a documentary series and no real chance for the actors to let loose or build a story line as if this were a drama series. On the postiive side its diverting well acted with some nice shots so easy watching.
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80 of 86 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars The good, the bad and the mad of Rome, 29 Mar 2007
By T. R. Alexander (East Anglia, UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)      
This series focuses on six people and events that influenced the course of Roman civilization including Julius Caesar, the Emperor Nero, the Jewish rebellion and Constantine's conversion to Christianity. Although there are many things left out of the drama documentary, all the episodes are generally historically accurate, although many events shown could be interpreted differently to that shown. All the main characters have been well cast but specific credit must go to Michael Sheen for giving a brilliantly mad performance as the Emperor Nero. My favourite episodes in the series have to be `Rebellion', about the Jewish revolt, and the final episode `The Fall of Rome' as these were the two things in the series that I knew the least about. Although some people may disagree with some of the people and events presented in the series, Ancient Rome is still a well thought out and entertaining series.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction to some chapters of Roman history
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. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Luis

3.0 out of 5 stars Viewable but with a few reservations
The thing that I find disturbing with this series is that some of the episodes remind me of long, Hollywoodesque, film trailers. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Magnus Andersson

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping and great introduction to the History of Rome
Once I got over the hamminess of the guy who plays Julia Caesar in the first episode, I was gripped. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Me

4.0 out of 5 stars Impressive documentary
"Ancient Rome" is an extremely informative and entertaining series, a combination that is rare on TV these days. Read more
Published 22 months ago by arbiter

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, authentic, brilliant!
This DVD has to simply be the most amazing account of Rome which i have ever seen. Why? Because first of all, the soldiers and the generals are dressed authentically aka In just... Read more
Published on 14 Jun 2007 by Percy

5.0 out of 5 stars The Rise Of Documentary
Absolutely adorable. Yes, true, it's sad that there are only 6 episodes, since not nearly enough historical events can be crammed into these. Read more
Published on 18 April 2007 by Mart Sander

5.0 out of 5 stars Broadcast higgldey-piggldey
Ancient Rome: the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire is a 2006 BBC One docudrama series, with each episode looking at a different time in the Roman Empire. Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2007 by Olivia Blair

2.0 out of 5 stars disappointing although I learned some extra facts...
I was disappointed with this series. Personally I find the Roman Republic a lot more interesting than Imperial rome, but that's just me. Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2007 by Kurt Decoene

1.0 out of 5 stars Gah, what a disappointment!!!
I am nearly finished watching the first episode about Caesar, and I'm not sure I can stomach the rest. Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2007 by Kieran Madden

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant just brilliant
I rented this DVD off amazon having watched a couple of episodes when it went out on the BBC I have to say it is the best historical drama i have ever seen. Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2007 by Mr. J. Mcintyre

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