Kevin James Movie:

				Salesrank: 55202
		Our Price: $29.99
		Used Price: $29.99
		MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:
This superbly acted, mordantly funny romp through 70 years or so of Roman history is one of the best-loved miniseries ever made, and deservedly so. Derek Jacobi plays Roman Emperor Claudius, who reflects in old age on his life and his remarkable family, giving us a history lesson that's unlike anything you learned in school.

The story begins in 24 B.C. during the reign of Augustus Caesar, Rome's first emperor, and ends in A.D. 54 with Nero on the throne. In between, I, Claudius details the scheming, murder, madness, and lust that passed for politics in the early years of the Pax Romana. The biggest worm in the Roman apple is Augustus's wife, Livia (the superb Siân Phillips), whose single-minded pursuit of power shapes the destiny of the Empire. With a carefully planted rumor here and a poisoned fig there, she gradually maneuvers her son, Tiberius, toward the throne, creating an atmosphere of suspicion and treachery that starts Rome on its helter-skelter slide into bloody chaos. Phillips somehow makes us understand this extraordinarily wicked woman. As she ages and her carefully wrought webs begin to unravel, it becomes clear that Livia has been as thoroughly poisoned by her own ambition as her victims were by her carefully prepared meals.

Further acting honors go to George Baker as Tiberius, who resists but eventually succumbs to the destiny forced upon him by his mother, and to John Hurt as a hilarious and absolutely terrifying Caligula. In one breathtakingly tense scene, the mad Emperor performs a dance in drag, then asks Claudius to critique it, perfectly capturing the horror of a world where one wrong word means death, or worse. Jacobi is the perfect Claudius, hiding his intelligence behind a crippling stammer and shuffling around the edges of events--until he finds himself pulled to the very center. His wry comments give shape to the tangled story of his family and help the audience make sense of a dauntingly complex cast of characters.

I, Claudius might seem a little studio-bound to viewers brought up on more recent big-budget costume dramas, but the topnotch cast and the incident-filled plot are more than enough to hold the attention through almost 11 hours of gripping, deliciously wicked Roman follies. This boxed set also includes a documentary entitled "The Epic That Never Was," about Alexander Korda's failed attempt to film I, Claudius in 1937. The film, directed by Josef von Sternberg and starring Charles Laughton as Claudius and Merle Oberon as Messalina, was abandoned unfinished, and it remains one of Hollywood's great lost movies. --Simon Leake

I, Claudius [Region 2] Reviews:
Christmas present
2008-12-02 - This is a gift, so I have not looked into it, but it looks like a gift anyone would be pleased to receive.

Superbly acted and still fresh
2008-11-24 - Robert Graves wrote the book this fine Masterpiece Theater version is adapted upon in 1977, eight years before his death. Graves himself was a survivor- most notably surviving the trenches of World War I as an English Infantry Officer, (which was no small feat considering the typical 80% casualty rates- at the Battle of the Somme he was listed as having died from his wounds). Known best for his poetry, his sparkling translation of "The Twelve Caesars" and his friendship with conscious objector "Mad Jack" Siegfeid Sassoon, Graves was awarded the 1934 James Tait Black Memorial Prize for both "I, Claudius" and for the sequel, "Claudius the God." Fortunately, this small screen adaptation by the BBC is just as good as the book.

So how's this screen adaptation? Scary. Thought provoking. Entertaining. This work brings to life Rome in the first century during the time of Christ. Augustus (Octavian), Tiberius and Claudius Caesar are mentioned by name in the Bible. Each of their lives (and many others) are detailed here- they each come clearly to life, with more than enough time to fully develop each of their characters. Imagine video cameras going "behind the scenes" in ancient Rome, and you'll better understand what's being shown in this adaptation.

While it's a work of pure fiction, it's all based on fact. And in the process, "ancient" Rome comes to life all over again.

This is eleven hours of pure drama and character development. And "Claudius the Idiot", "Claudius the Stammerer", "Poor Uncle Claudius" or "Clau-Clau-Claudius" (as he was known to his contemporaries and family) managed to survive by staying at the edge- until he was drug into the center of things when made Emperor of Rome by the palace guard, completely against his own will.

I have noted that several reviews don't like the quality of the videotape transfer to DVD. Ok, I will give them that. And I will also agree that it has a very studio feel, rather than a more modern natural feel. But I'm much more interested in the acting and the story than the quality of the screen image. I must be showing my age, I guess.

With this work, the early Caesars come to life with all of their strengths and weaknesses. A sparkling performance by all of the major characters only enhances my opinion of the overall package.

So do I endorse this one? Oh, yes! Very much so.

The Series ranks very high on several critics' all time lists...
2008-11-22 - So which version will you pursue:648 minutes or the 564?

Hint: There is more than one national Amazon; and despite the postage you may actually save a small amount of money with something older, longer, and with better visuals. And regions are no longer a legal issue with some of the later players.

You knew all that already, but...



I own the original set
2008-11-04 - I own the original set of this DVD and don't plan to replace it. However, this is one of the best TV miniseries ever and if you haven't seen it, then obviously you should buy the new version. I am a hugh fan of Derek Jacobi and this is one of his finest performances. (He was also Cadfael on PBS). Sian Phillips, John Hurt, George Baker all give terrific performances. The story is funny, scary, and extremely interesting. Makes you glad you didn't live in those days - 'cause you didn't live long.
Watch it and enjoy!

History from the top
2008-11-03 - Just a few comments on the reviews of I, Claudius with Derek Jacobi and company. I sympathize with the number of reviewers who have commented on the lack of sophistication and depth in treating this period of the Roman Empire. It is important to remember, however, that this book and TV production reflect a view of history from the top- that is, as seen from those at the pinnacle or near the pinnacle of power and so neglects so much of what we now find fascinating about the Roman Empire. It also neglects its tremendous variety in all facets of life.

After listening to it, a naive viewer might come away with the idea that the Roman Empire fell because of Livia and that Claudius was simple-minded idiot. The studies of the period (especially by B. Levick) show a very different sort of emperor and reign. A broader perspective is needed to really enjoy the series. It is a shame the sound and picture quality on the DVD is not up to par. But it is a fun series to watch and one could have worse introductions to high politics in the age of Augustus!