relatable

relatable

Hard to believe that the BBC could have produced such a masterpiece as this. Every episode could be seen as stand-alone films, each one unmasking the 'realities' of Rome through the eyes of Claudius, who lived to see 3 emperors rule before him (Including Augustus), until he ruled himself.

Although only 12 episodes long, by the end I felt like I had seen entire lives unfurl before me. Every scene, it feels like you are standing there, a fly on the wall, spying the plots and dirty secrets of every important Roman of the time. The intrigue, the lust, the violence, it is all so raw and unforgiving.

There is an episode, in which, after a series of political purges, Claudius breaks down in tears and declares Rome to be finished. After years of optimisim, of hoping the Republic would come back, of believing that people all have some good in them, he is broken down to the point of nearly giving up on his country. An absolutely devastating sequence.

Although this series spends a lot of time uncovering the utter savagery and immorality of Rome, at its core it is a beautifully humane story. Where you follow this exceptional man's journey through betrayal and heartbreak, but always remaining true to his beliefs.

I wish I had seen this right after Rome (HBO), since it directly follows the events of that show. However, everything here is superior, in my opinion. The writing, the simple yet intricate sets and costume design, the music, the directing and photography (some of those close-up shots are haunting, and look out for a head-spinning execution scene!). The performances are top notch, with great actors such as John Hurt, Brian Blessed, and even a surprisingly villainous Patrick Stewart! Derek Jacobi as Claudius is of course a highlight, but who really stole the show for me was Sian Phillips as Livia; a character who serves as a sort of conniving counterpart of our protagonist, just as smart, just as submissive to fate, yet always keen to play the part, to play the game of Rome.

And ultimately, that's what this story is all about. About actors, playing their parts in the grand game which was the early Roman Empire. But all fall to the same fate in the end.

10/10

Hard to believe that the BBC could have produced such a masterpiece as this. Every episode could be seen as stand-alone films, each one unmasking the 'realities' of Rome through the eyes of Claudius, who lived to see 3 emperors rule before him (Including Augustus), until he ruled himself.

Although only 12 episodes long, by the end I felt like I had seen entire lives unfurl before me. Every scene, it feels like you are standing there, a fly on the wall, spying the plots and dirty secrets of every important Roman of the time. The intrigue, the lust, the violence, it is all so raw and unforgiving.

There is an episode, in which, after a series of political purges, Claudius breaks down in tears and declares Rome to be finished. After years of optimisim, of hoping the Republic would come back, of believing that people all have some good in them, he is broken down to the point of nearly giving up on his country. An absolutely devastating sequence.

Although this series spends a lot of time uncovering the utter savagery and immorality of Rome, at its core it is a beautifully humane story. Where you follow this exceptional man's journey through betrayal and heartbreak, but always remaining true to his beliefs.

I wish I had seen this right after Rome (HBO), since it directly follows the events of that show. However, everything here is superior, in my opinion. The writing, the simple yet intricate sets and costume design, the music, the directing and photography (some of those close-up shots are haunting, and look out for a head-spinning execution scene!). The performances are top notch, with great actors such as John Hurt, Brian Blessed, and even a surprisingly villainous Patrick Stewart! Derek Jacobi as Claudius is of course a highlight, but who really stole the show for me was Sian Phillips as Livia; a character who serves as a sort of conniving counterpart of our protagonist, just as smart, just as submissive to fate, yet always keen to play the part, to play the game of Rome.

And ultimately, that's what this story is all about. About actors, playing their parts in the grand game which was the early Roman Empire. But all fall to the same fate in the end.

10/10