MartinHafer
This British mini-series, shown her in the States on "Masterpiece Theatre" is among the finest programs made for television--up there with mini-series greats such as "Roots" and "The Winds of War". This is all due to terrific acting, a very engaging script and the time to properly tell the story of the first four Roman emperors.When the series begins, Augustus (Brian Blessed) has been emperor for many years. His reign is successful but soon lots of cracks begin to appear in the fabric of his family...and the worst of them is one he's not aware of, his wife Livia (Sean Phillips). And, through the reigns of his successors (Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius), Livia is there to pull strings...orchestrating murders and somehow surviving when most of the rest of the family long ago assumed room temperatures. The show is great...no question about it. So great that it's worth buying on DVD...and I am a bit of a cheapskate and usually would just recommend looking for stuff on Netflix or YouTube!
alexeykorovin
This TV series is a must-watch for anyone interested in movies. Although, as a TV show, it's pretty low-budget, the plot is strong and the actors' performances are so good that overall the movie is simply great.It's interesting that the portrayal of Caligula is somewhat different here from the one in the Caligula movie from 1979. This series shows the degradation of Rome in much greater detail and at a much larger scale.The main character, Claudius, is a very likable character. Even though I watched this series years ago, I still have the phrase in my head which one of the imperial advisers says to the young Claudius: "Do you want to live a long a happy life? Exaggerate your stuttering..." Says it all.
ShelbyTMItchell
Saw this first of all as a 16-year old. As really wanted to know who Derek Jacobi was in Henry V as the Chorus. As he is the lead in this role. Really top class top notch acting! As the stammering but really smart and intelligent lead role. For he sees everybody in his family and the reign of Rome falter in his life and we see everything from his point of view.For Claudius is told that he needed to act dumb as much as it hurts him to in order to survive in Rome. He is the only "normal" one in his family full of schemers and traitors.Supporting Jacobi is Sian Phillips as his ruthless grandma, John Hurt as the mad crazed Caligua, Brian Blessed as Phillips clueless husband, Margaret Tyrius as Claudius mean spirited mom, among others that support him.Great and skilled writing and really shows you how ruthless Rome was in those days.
TheLittleSongbird
I'll try to add to the other reviews that sum up I Claudius so brilliantly, but my feeling is that what needs to be said about it has been said. Superlative is the best way to sum up how phenomenal I Claudius is, it is one of those rarities where everything works and there is nothing whatsoever about it.The settings, photography and costumes are superb and very authentic, the mini-series is directed absolutely beautifully and the story is compelling. And I almost to say that I feel I Claudius is one of the best written mini-series out there, both in dialogue and characterisation, or that Derek Jacobi, John Hurt and Sian Phillips give some of their very best work here.Overall, superlative. 10/10 Bethany Cox
AD
