Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
Brand: JACOBI,DEREK
EAN: 0014381918724
Format: Box set, Color, Full Screen
Label: Image Entertainment
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
Picture Format: Pan & Scan
Publisher: Image Entertainment
Release Date: August 15, 2000
Running Time: 740 minutes
Sales Rank: 18772
Studio: Image Entertainment
Theatrical Release Date: November 06, 1977
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Editorial Review:
Description:
Roman history comes alive in this magnificent 13-part series. 'I, Claudius' (1976, 668 min.) ranks among the most acclaimed productions in BBC history. Tracing the lives of the last of the Roman emperors, it's an epic of ruthless ambition, shocking debauchery and murderous intrigue set in one of history's most fascinating eras. Bearing witness to the saga is Claudius, whose stutter and limp have marked him a fool--yet whom prophesies have foretold will one day rule Rome. This collector's edition set includes a unique documentary feature, 'The Epic That Never Was' (1965, 71 min.), a remarkable behind-the-scenes look at Alexander Korda's ill-fated 1937 screen adaptation of 'I, Claudius.' Starring Merle Oberon and Charles Laughton, the chronicle of this uncompleted masterpieces is an unforgettable coda to one of the greatest stories ever told.
Amazon.com essential video:
This superbly acted, mordantly funny romp through 70Â 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 11Â 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
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - A Masterpiece of Television, Finally Remastered
I belong to the generation that saw high-budget Roman period productions such as Ridley Scott's Gladiator, HBO's Rome, and even the Polish adaptation of Quo Vadis (highly recommended). Having also been brought up in the States and becoming something of a classicist during my later education, I had read Robert Graves' books I, Claudius and Claudius the God, and heard of the BBC miniseries and always meant to see it, though not expecting much due to the age of the series and low budget it required to be realized.
When the chance came I snagged up the DVD series, and was so taken by the marvelous acting, intricate yet engaging storyline, and historical accuracy (it is not 100% accurate, but it is more accurate than the likes of Gladiator or HBO's ROME), that I watched the entire miniseries in a day. It was released originally in the 70's, however, and it showed. It was pity that Image Entertainment did not put in the extra money to restore such a masterpiece of television, one of Time Magazine's Top 100 television shows of all time- and rightfully so.
I believe each actor did a superb job (though I don't think Augustus was casted or played true to history, Brian Blessed played and excellent father of the Empire). Hats off to the leading ladies, Sian Phillips as an iconic Livia no doubt, but also Margaret Tyzack plays the stoic, noble, yet imperfect matron Antonia with unforgettable force and sincerity. Tyzack's performance is perhaps my favorite in the series, as she shines ... Read More
Rating: - Christmas present
This is a gift, so I have not looked into it, but it looks like a gift anyone would be pleased to receive.
Rating: - Superbly acted and still fresh
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 ... Read More
Rating: - The Series ranks very high on several critics' all time lists...
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...
Rating: - I own the original set
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!
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