caesar novus Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 I can hardly believe that the movie http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Funny_Thing...ay_to_the_Forum was actually based on and apparently typical of Roman comedies http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_of_ancient_Rome ! I love it: mockery of authority, championing the underdogs, farce, and screwball. I was afraid they would lean more toward the austere Greek tragedies, but I guess they departed from that heritage. Are there other comic movies or media based on Roman plays? Are there entertaining translations or audio readings of them? I think the Turner Classic Movie channel repeats "a funny thing" (see clip http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/index.jsp?cid=9056 ). It seems to me similar in spirit to their often repeated Astaire comedies, such as http://www.tcm.com/thismonth/article.jsp?cid=74675 , but I would prefer something straight from Rome eternal... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crispina Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Are there other comic movies or media based on Roman plays? Are there entertaining translations or audio readings of them? I think the Turner Classic Movie channel repeats "a funny thing" (see clip http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/index.jsp?cid=9056 ). It seems to me similar in spirit to their often repeated Astaire comedies, such as http://www.tcm.com/thismonth/article.jsp?cid=74675 , but I would prefer something straight from Rome eternal... Wasn't Fellini's "Satyricon" based (loosely) on an ancient Roman play ? I've watched the movie a couple of times , and certain parts could be considered comedy, but I've found it difficult to follow the story most of the time! It has been on television and I rented it from the library many years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crispina Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Wasn't Fellini's "Satyricon" based (loosely) on an ancient Roman play ? I've watched the movie a couple of times , and certain parts could be considered comedy, but I've found it difficult to follow the story most of the time! It has been on television and I rented it from the library many years ago. I did a Google of the film and found this among others, I wasn't too far off. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satyricon_%28film%29 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caesar novus Posted October 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 (edited) Are there entertaining translations or audio readings of them? I believe I found most of the Roman plays listed in Wikipedia available in http://www.archive.org/details/texts . Someone might enjoy adapting those plots and characters into more modernized scripts and selling them http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/eng/nowwhat2009 Edited October 6, 2009 by caesar novus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caesar novus Posted October 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2009 I think the Turner Classic Movie channel repeats "a funny thing" (see clip http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/index.jsp?cid=9056 ). Its shewtime! HMGM high def channel will be showing "a funny thing" starting 8.5 hours from this posting (at least in my area). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caesar novus Posted October 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2009 (edited) What a delectable movie, although a bit rough around the edges! I propose any true Romanophile use it's "Bring me my Bride" song as a wedding march or even vows: [PSEUDOLUS]Hail, Miles Gloriosus. Welcome to Rome. Your bride awaits you. [MILES] My bride... My bride! My bride! I've come to claim my bride, Come tenderly to crush her against my side. Let haste be made! I cannot be delayed: There are lands to conquer, cities to loot and peoples to degrade. [MILES] Not to mention the rest. Even I am impressed! My bride! My bride! Come, bring to me my bride. My lust for her no longer can be denied. Convey the news! I have no time to lose: There are towns to plunder, temples to burn and women to abuse. [MILES] I am my ideal! I, Miles Gloriosus, I, slaughterer of thousands, I, oppressor of the meek, Subduer of the weak, Degrader of the Greek, Destroyer of the Turk, Must hurry back to work. [MILES & ROMANS:] I/he, Miles Gloriosus, [MILES & ROMANS:] I/he, paragon of virtue, [MILES] I, in war the most admired, In wit the most inspired, In love the most desired, In dress the best displayed-- I am a parade! [MILES] My bride! My bride! Inform my lucky bride: The fabled arms of Miles are open wide. Make haste! Make haste! I have no time to waste: There are shrines I should be sacking, Ribs I should be cracking, Eyes to gouge and booty to divide. Bring me my bride! [MILES] Stand aside everyone! I take really large steps. Edited October 25, 2009 by caesar novus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nephele Posted October 25, 2009 Report Share Posted October 25, 2009 What a delectable movie, although a bit rough around the edges! I propose any true Romanophile use it's "Bring me my Bride" song as a wedding march or even vows: I'd have "Bring Me My Bride" for my wedding march, and also have my bridesmaids come dancing down the aisle dressed like the courtesans Tintinabula, Vibrata, Gymnasia, Panacea, Gemina I and Gemina II. -- Nephele Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DecimusCaesar Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Well, There's something for everyone in that movie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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