I Claudius

Details:

Originally transmitted in the autumn of 1976, I Claudius redefined the boundaries of television with an epic story spanning the annals of Roman history - from the mighty Augustus to the madness of Caligula. One of the jewels in the crown of BBC historical drama, this timeless classic features inspirational performances by an all-star cast.

This five-disc box set contains all thirteen 50 minute episodes:

1. A Touch of Murder
2. Waiting in the Wings
3. What Shall We Do About Claudius?
4. Poison is Queen
5. Some Justice
6. Queen of Heaven
7. Reign of Terror
8. Zeus, By Jove!
9. Hail Who?
10. Fool's Luck
11. A God in Colchester
12. Old King Log

Review:

Condensing Graves’ novels I, Claudius and Claudius The God into around thirteen hours worth of television, director Herbert Wise and writer Jack Pulman created a genuine television classic, which is fondly remembered, endlessly discussed and even studied in various media courses around the world. Certainly to viewers not familiar with the studio-bound production values or theatrical performances, viewing the series may be unusual, but they may similarly be surprised by just how well done it is. The studio sets are astonishing, the camera fluid and the performances as near to perfect as matters. The plot too is splendidly gripping – family life has never seemed so tense and dangerous – and all of this came over twenty years before The Sopranos hit the small screens (note how the formidable matriarchal figures in both series are named Livia – coincidence?)

The series follows a number of generations in the life (however transient) of the Roman aristocracy, as retold by the Emperor Claudius, recounting his life history before his long expectant assassination. Recalling the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula and himself, the story is utterly gripping and – surprisingly for a slice of primetime seventies television – fairly violent and censor baiting. Characters are dispatched with such alarming regularity that you would half expect the Roman inquest documentation to have an option under cause of death marked ‘mysterious circumstances – probably murdered’.

The cast are splendid throughout, Derek Jacobi is excellent as a the reluctant hero – the story is essentially that of his survival against all odds. More infamous though, are the performances of Sian Philips and John Hurt as the terrifying Livia and the barking Caligula. Brian Blessed (sans beard), George Baker and Patrick Stewart also appear.

For those who enjoyed Gladiator, this is the next stop: it may not have any special effects or action sequences, but the story and characters are richer and more engaging. Pulman’s screenplay is fantastic, darkly hilarious and wallowing in irony, but also emotionally wrenching in all the right places.

The DVD box set is a handsome beast, containing five discs, with three episodes on each of the first four, and around three hours worth of supplementary material on disc five, including retrospective interviews and an excellent documentary about a never completed British film version based on the same material. This is a magnificent series presented with the care and attention it deserves. (VH)

Special Features:

• Interviews with director Herbert Wise and stars Derek Jacobi, George Baker, Patrick Stewart, Christopher Biggins, Brian Blessed and John Hurt
• 'The Epic That Never Was' documentary (70 mins)

Technical Details:

Region 2
Year 1976
Screen Fullscreen 4:3
Languages English - Dolby Digital (2.0) Mono
Subtitles English for the hearing impaired
Duration 11 hours and 10 minutes (approx)