I, Claudius
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Movie Reviews of I, Claudius
Movie Review: De gustibus non disputandum est...
Summary: 5 Stars
"There is no disputing taste." I loved the mini-series on BBC, and jumped at the chance to pick up Claudius on DVD.The series is based on the books "I, Claudius" and "Claudius the God" by Robert Graves. It definitely helps to have read the books before seeing the mini-series, as the books provide much more background (perhaps too much, in some cases) for various people and events.
This series begins with Emperor Claudius writing his memoirs, then fades back into his youth. Born with a club foot and a stammer, the young Claudius is thought to be a buffoon... an idiot. He is actually quite bright. Early on, though, he is advised to exaggerate the stammer and play the fool. Strange advice, but it serves well.
Rome is full of intrigue, generally revolving around the Emperor's throne. Augustus is Emperor, and his wife Livia (who is also Claudius' grandmother) is the power behind the throne. Livia is a remarkable woman. She desires that her son Tiberius become the next emperor, and has no compunctions about assassinating anyone who gets in the way.
Livia manages to murder Claudius' father and brothers, as well as a few other people who get in the way. But she is fooled by Claudius' charade of idiocy, so she ignores him. She gets her way; Tiberius does become emperor....
I shan't say much more about what happens next. It's a very good story.
It's not suitable for pre-teens, as there are some frank references to sex, and quite a bit of violence and blood - the scene where Caligula stops Gemellus' cough (by having his head cut off) comes to mind.
It amused me to notice that Patrick Stewart had an important role in this mini-series - as one of the most notorious villains. Patrick Stewart *with* hair, mind you!
Movie Review: wickedly smart, dramatic and without a doubt classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I, Claudius was made some twenty-five years ago and was even viewed religiously by my father when it first aired...yet, despite deepened research, inevitable aging and dated effects, I find this series facinating.I first checked out the miniseries from my local library thinking it would help me in reasearching for one of my many screenplays taking place in that era. Little did it occur to me that within the first hour I had dropped my pad and pencil and just watched the damn thing purely for enjoyment.
Enjoyment it was. With an absorbing story line, cute understated humor and marvelous sets, you begin to forget that you are actually getting a history lesson. Derick Jacobi as well as the entire cast preform superbly. I really found that it was kind of like an indie film...simple, smart and cerebral.
One thing that really struck my attention was the fantastic job done on aging make-up. It's really not that important or anything, but it sure does make the story seem so much more realistic. (Pardon me, please, for calling this a "story"...it's actually a kind of documentary thing, but "documentary thing" is very hard to type over and over...you know how it is, right?)
Anyhoo, it's very good. The whole thing. One person may watch it for the costumes, another for the set pieces and back drops, and some may just watch it to be entertained. It dosen't matter if you don't know diddily squat about ancient Rome, I, Claudius will set the record straight. And with seven max generations of the Augustian family you are sure to get the point sooner or later.
I, Claudius. Very good. Simple enough, eh?
Movie Review: Televisions Finest Hour(s)
Summary: 5 Stars
I've recently become interested in historical fiction and after hearing such wonderful things about "I, Claudius" I decided to purchase it from Amazon and see if it was indeed as great as everyone says. I am pleased to report that this is probably the best DVD investment I have ever made (and being a DVD junkie I've made plenty). "I, Claudius" is without doubt one of the greatest things television has ever given us. This story has everything: great characters, intrigue, murder, lust, sex, passion, politics, humor, etc (and thats just in the first couple of episodes). Sure its production values are a bit stagey but who needs elaborate sets or special effects when you have such a rich ensemble of charcters and drama. Seldom have I been so absolutely riveted by what was going on my televison screen. And what a great cast: Derek Jacobi, Sian Philips, John Hurt, Patrick Stewart, and Brian Blessed are just a few of the actors who provide outstanding performances in this production. I was very sad when the whole thing came to an end; I had become so caught up in this saga and its people I just wanted it to go on forever. I've talked this show up so much with my friends I now have a waiting list of folks who want to borrow it and watch it for themselves. Anyway, if you haven't seen "I, Claudius" I can't reccomend it highly enough. Beg, borrow or buy this DVD set. You won't be dissapointed. Now, I'm off to get Robert Graves' novels upon which the whole thing is based. Oh, and BTW, don't touch the figs!Movie Review: "I Claudius" is television at its best!
Summary: 5 Stars
"I, Claudius" was a Christmas gift from my father, who shares my love of Roman history. It was, by far, one of the best presents I have ever received. We immediately began the series. To this day I recall the thrill in my veins when I first heard Derek Jacobi's beautiful voice intone "I, Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus, this, that, and the other..." The series kept me spellbound through thirteen episodes. It entertains and educates by turns darkly funny, caustic, dramatic, and poignant. The acting is top notch. Derek Jacobi's complex, multilayered portrayal of the supposed idiot Claudius quickly found its way into my heart. Sian Phillips sent chills down my spine as the ambitious Livia, with a flair for poisoning. John Hurt gives a truly frightening performance as Caligula, the mad Emperor. He is involved in one of the most frightening scenes I have ever witnessed in television or film. It is not graphic, but Hurt's creepily nuanced performance gives it a real chill. There are also fine performances by Brian Blessed and Patrick Stewart,among others. It is the actors that make this period piece come alive. "I Claudius" is excellent viewing for history buffs, students, or anyone who enjoys fine acting. This set is well worth the money. The experiences the series creates will last a lifetime. I have many fond memories of watching the series with my father, and I know I will have many more. I never get tired of watching "I Claudius" It is a wonderful addition to any DVD collection.Movie Review: Probably The Best Drama to Appear On Masterpiece Theatre
Summary: 5 Stars
Before "Masterpiece Theater" started trying to pass off imported garden-variety police melodrama like "Prime Suspect" as something very special, it used to offer British dramas that truly were masterpieces of adaptation - shows like The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Elizabeth R, and I Claudius. I, Claudius related the early history of the Roman Empire as it followed the story of the Imperial Family through the first four Emperors. Critics at the time tended to view it as an engrossing soap-opera, but in fact the drama, fashioned by Jack Pulman from two novels of Robert Graves, was excellent. Livia (Sian Phillips), driven by a lust for power, schemes to see that her son Tiberius (George Baker) succeeds her husband Augustus (Brian Blessed) as Emperor, no matter who stands in the way. Desire, greed, and madness provide the backdrop for the resulting clash of interests, with the destiny of Rome - and therefore the entire ancient world - at stake. Derek Jacoby (Brother Cadfael) stars as Livia's grandson Claudius; Patrick Stewart (Star Trek The Next Generation) appears as the villainous Sejanus.