I Claudius

[Astro Pen]

Just watched the complete 1976 I Claudius DVD set only to find that is being repeated on the television. Synchronicity?
Anyway it is bloody magnificent, every bit as wonderful as I remember it!
Fantastic performances from Brian Blessed, Sian Phillips, Derek Jacobi and John Hurt.
I urge anyone who hasn't seen it to watch what I think is the best historical drama ever put out by the BBC
(Almost forgot to mention Patrick Stewart as a rock solid Sejanus.)

 

[paranoid marvin]

And George Baker is magnificent as Tiberius (and I could never imagine Nero as anyone other than Biggins).

Please never, ever try to remake this tv series/books. You cannot improve upon perfection.

 

[KGeo777]

It's a great show.
The cast is impressive and very quotable lines.


Caligula: Do you think I'm mad?...Sometimes I think that I'm going mad. Do you — be honest with me — has that thought ever crossed your mind?
Claudius: Never. Never. The idea is preposterous. You set the standard of sanity for the whole world.

 

[Steve Harrison]

The series would stand out as exceptional even in this 'golden age' of TV.

I have the DVD set with a documentary about Alexander Korda's 1937 movie version starring Charles Laughton, which was unfortunately abandoned. Would have loved to have seen that version, too.

 

[KGeo777]

There was a 1968 show The Caesars which has some overlap with I, Claudius.
Freddie Jones was Claudius and Ralph Bates was Caligula.

 

[paranoid marvin]

There was a 1968 show The Caesars which has some overlap with I, Claudius.
Freddie Jones was Claudius and Ralph Bates was Caligula.

Yes, this series is also well worth a watch. Less sensational than Robert Graves epic, and in b&w with not the cleanest picture or sound (it could really do with a remaster); but probably more accurate in its portrayl of the characters, in particular Claudius and Augustus.

On a similar theme the TV series I, Caesar is the best documentary series I've watched on the lives of the earlier emperors.

 

[Pyan]

An excellent adaptation, with some standout performances. For me, the portrayal of Livia by Sian Phillips was sensational: the ruthlessness of her meddling to get the ‘right’ person into the purple was positively chilling.

 

[Hugh]

I discovered the books age 14 and did no homework until I'd finished them. Concerned teachers asked me if anything was wrong.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I watched the series when it was shown on Masterpiece Theater in the US. I think that must have been in the late 70s.

It was excellent. I agree about Sian Phillips, but magnificent performances all around.

 

[paranoid marvin]

The BBC did so much great studio based drama in the 1960s and 70s. Although you don't get the realistic on location filming, the props people were very capable of making a set look like the real thing. It also meant that the audio was crystal clear, and no need for subtitles as there often is these days!

From Elizabeth R to Henry VIII to I, Claudius and all the wonderful Shakespeare and adaptations they were a joy to watch.

As for Sian Phillips, she's still active to this day, recently featuring in Good Omens. A stellar career for a stellar actress.

 

[farntfar]

An excellent cast all round. George Baker and John Hurt were particularly memorable.
And, of course, Derek Jacobi who is still going strong, having recently appeared in such things as The Sandman, and only a few days ago in Good Omens 2.

 

[Ursa major]

Just watched the complete 1976 I Claudius DVD set only to find that is being repeated on the television.

They were talking about this repeat showing on Radio Four's Broadcasting House on Sunday 6th August -- and interviewing Blessed and Jabobi (from about 10:31**) -- as if the series had been rescued from obscurity, but I've seen an episode of it (with Patrick Stewart as Sejanus) on the TV not that long ago (though probably not on the BBC).


** - The times for the programme on BBC Sounds use GMT.

 

[KGeo777]

The thing about Livia is that you do end up pitying her. One of the most touching scenes is where Claudius tries to comfort her. It has a lot of pathos. Emotionally moving, not just humorous or shocking.


My favorite scene might be where Tiberius is talking to Claudius about Sejanus and Caligula is there.

Claudius: Well, is there no one among them you can trust? No man of integrity?
Tiberius: Not that I know of.
Caligula: Isn't that a terrible comment on our times, Uncle? On the other hand, if you can't find a man of integrity, I always say look for a man of ambition. Find a dog who'll eat a dog.
Tiberius: Do you know of such a person?
Caligula: Yes, I do. Sertorius Macro, Sejanus' second-in-command. He's very popular with the troops.
Claudius: He arrested Gallus.
Tiberius: Isn't he loyal to Sejanus?
Caligula: Oh, yes, of course, but he can't move up while Sejanus is still there, can he? And he is very ambitious.
Tiberius: Do you know him personally?
Caligula: No, but I've slept with his wife several times.
Tiberius: And is deception with the wife regarded these days as a sound introduction to the husband?!
Caligula: Oh, he knows about that. I told you. He's ambitious.
Tiberius: I shall make you my successor, Gaius Caligula! I’ve decided. You shall stay here with me. Rome deserves you. I will nurse you like a viper in her bosom.
Caligula: Is that a joke, uncle?
Tiberius: Not yet, but it will be.

 

[paranoid marvin]

I think my favourite part is when Tiberius is trying to find a senator that hasn't slept with his daughter. Brian Blessed makes Augustus both funny and terrifying in this scene.

I can't say that I felt pity for Livia - she got precisely what she deserved - but I did have a lot of sympathy for Tiberius who was a good, popular general and a loving husband. Until that is Livia made him Caesar.

His drills were bloodless battles, and his battles bloody drills. I really like that phrase, and so did Tiberius when it was said of him.

 

[Astro Pen]

I think my favourite part is when Tiberius is trying to find a senator that hasn't slept with his daughter. Brian Blessed makes Augustus both funny and terrifying in this scene.

Spoiler: Spoiler video clip of that scene.

 

[KGeo777]

I can't say that I felt pity for Livia - she got precisely what she deserved

But she didn't get what she deserved. Claudius did honor her request for deification. And then she was back to criticizing him in his dreams!

The book has one thing that I thought was especially sad -- Claudius had a friend in adolescence and it was implied she was probably poisoned by Livia. I don't remember that in the show.

I was going to quote the Blessed line about his daughter in the last message coincidentally.

Another particularly memorable moment is when Caligula has them summoned in the night and they think they are going to be killed and instead it is a weird play and Claudius has to praise it.
And the horse senator showing up for his wedding.

 

[BAYLOR]

Ive read I Claudius by Robert Graves an amazing book . The series more then did justice to it.

 

[Pyan]

I, Claudius is only half of Claudius' story, from childhood to accession as Emperor - have you read Claudius the God, from becoming Emperor until his death?

 

[BAYLOR]

I, Claudius is only half of Claudius' story, from childhood to accession as Emperor - have you read Claudius the God, from becoming Emperor until his death?

Know of of the sequel book but have never read it.

 

[Pyan]

I should, or you'll miss out on a lot of the good stuff!