Primus Pilus Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 The Augusta provides an excellent overview of the I, Claudius television program. It may be a classic from days gone by, but she explains quite nicely how the program withstands the test of time. Good drama never dies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursus Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 A brilliant review to grace our front page! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nephele Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Excellent review, Augusta! I was wondering how you might compare the BBC's 1976 production of I, Claudius with Grenada's earlier, 1968, black and white production, The Caesars (written by Philip Mackie). Interestingly, the actor (Kevin Stoney) who played Tiberius' astrologer, Thrasyllus, in I, Claudius, had appeared in the earlier production, The Caesars, in the same role. -- Nephele Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DecimusCaesar Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 An excellent review Augusta, I enjoyed reading it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Augusta Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 (edited) Excellent review, Augusta! I was wondering how you might compare the BBC's 1976 production of I, Claudius with Grenada's earlier, 1968, black and white production, The Caesars (written by Philip Mackie). Interestingly, the actor (Kevin Stoney) who played Tiberius' astrologer, Thrasyllus, in I, Claudius, had appeared in the earlier production, The Caesars, in the same role. -- Nephele I have to confess to heresy here, Nephele. I have never seen The Caesars - just excerpts from it on various compilation programmes. I have to say, it looked excellent for its time, and I am still promising myself the DVDs. So, unfortunately I can make no useful comment here, other than to say that everything I've read on the Forum about this earlier series is very positive. Interesting point about Kevin Stoney repeating his Thrasyllus. Can't say I'm surprised - the part seems made for him. (And now you have just added another purchase to my Amazon basket for next month!) Edited April 16, 2007 by The Augusta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augustus Caesar Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 Hi Augusta A great review of a series I hold dear in my memory banks. I watched the original broadcasts of these shows and also the repeat of each which was broadcast in the middle of the week following the first showing. I also watched the subsequent repeats on the Beeb and then bought the original videos when first released. Those videos I passed on to my brother in 2002 when the DVD box set came out on 5 discs. I have watched these right through a few times over. The team chosen to act in the series was a very good one. Derek Jacobi as Claudius - brilliant!! Brian Blessed as Augustus (my hero) - absolutely fantastic!! John Hurt as Caligula - awesome!! Sian Phillips as Livia - incredible (knew how to put fear into someone)!! Patrick Stewart as Sejanus - menacing!! Many others too I could mention but the list is long. The series was done on a shoestring, yes, and some of the scenes could have been a tad better but the whole idea was an excellent one. It succeeded where many other productions of this ilk about Claudius simply failed or went unfinished. Indeed the DVD set includes the 70 minute documentary narrated by Dirk Bogarde "The Epic That Never Was" on disc 5. This includes some of the scenes from lavish sets and some of the acting left a little to be desired to be honest. But that was the style for then and maybe that's why I, Claudius to some now would look very weak. However, I don't really care. This is what got me into Roman History big style and in particular the period it covers. It did quite literally bring it all to life for me. Of course I do have other interests in Roman History, in particular Hadrian's Wall as I ive only a few minutes from the easternmost end of it, but there are other areas. I do however, hark back to those halcyon days on the Beeb when I looked forward to the start of the theme tune both when it aired originally and its repeat a few days later. Why CAN'T we turn back the clock sometimes? We'd all be stuck in times we remember and would never progress in the future!! Ah well, thank goodness for DVD's etc!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Augusta Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 (edited) I do however, hark back to those halcyon days on the Beeb when I looked forward to the start of the theme tune both when it aired originally and its repeat a few days later. Why CAN'T we turn back the clock sometimes? We'd all be stuck in times we remember and would never progress in the future!! Ah well, thank goodness for DVD's etc!!!! Indeed. And as I tried to make clear in the review, it is the performances that make the production timeless. To anyone who has grown up with live theatre as I have the emphasis is always more on performance than anything else. Alas, 'Claudius' was perhaps the last of its kind on the Beeb - it had been preceded by the equally excellent 'Wives of Henry VIII' and 'Elizabeth R', but later 70s/early 80s offerings such as 'The Borgias' and 'The Cleopatras' (did you ever see that debacle?) were poor indeed. The only thing that saved 'The Borgias' for me was the scrumptious Oliver Cotton as Cesare. In the mid 80s Granada took over quality drama with their exquisite 'Brideshead Revisited' and - for me, the never to be surpassed - 'Jewel in the Crown'. I think I'd put 'Jewel' right up there with 'Claudius', but in this case, and in the case of 'Brideshead' I go back again to what I said at the start of my review - both those excellent series were based on excellent literature too. It makes a difference. Edited April 25, 2007 by The Augusta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drusus Nero Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 I have heard of "The Cleopatras" and have seen little snippets of "The Borgias" on old T.V. clip shows, were they really as infamously bad as I've heard they were? . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Augusta Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 I have heard of "The Cleopatras" and have seen little snippets of "The Borgias" on old T.V. clip shows, were they really as infamously bad as I've heard they were? . They were certainly a colourful family! A brief outline of Cesare can be found here It's only the old Wikipedia but its a start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augustus Caesar Posted April 25, 2007 Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 I have heard of "The Cleopatras" and have seen little snippets of "The Borgias" on old T.V. clip shows, were they really as infamously bad as I've heard they were? . In a Geordie nutshell? "Wey aye man!!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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