A

Anton Sugar

Member

• Aug 5, 2009

• #1

I remember having to watch this in Latin class. My teacher skipped through all the orgies but let us watch the violent scenes.

The story is based off of two "historical novels" by Robert Graves, and centers around the life of the Julio-Claudian lineage, particularly leading up to/the life of Claudius, who went on to become emperor.

Claudius, played wonderfully by Derek Jacobi:

I am now rewatching it (thanks, Netflix) and love it. It's almost like watching a stage play, it has very classical acting and dialogue, and the cinematography is nothing outrageous but still beautiful. There are many long monologues where there are no cuts, just the camera staying on one character for a long while.

John Hurt as Caligula:

This was the first film I saw John Hurt in and he was amazing and terrifying as Caligula.

Spoiler

"I'M DYING?!" in confused wonderment

There are a ton of great actors here, not mentioning the leads (pretty much all the women, though Julia got annoying fast). John Rhys-Davies has an appearance, as well as Bernard Hill (haven't spotted him yet).

Some clips:
Caligula's speech on his battle with Neptune
Caligula's dance
Best decapitation ever
Livia and Claudius

Also:

 

A

Anton Sugar

Member

• Aug 5, 2009

• #2

What the hell, you uncultured swine. I guess everyone wasted their high school language selection on Spanish...CHUMPS!

 

T

Teddman

Member

• Aug 5, 2009

• #3

I watched it a few years ago as a follow-up to HBO's ROME series, since it covers the period in Roman history that roughly picks up where the show leaves off.

It's a really good series with outstanding acting, although the staginess of the production sometimes undermines the action a bit. Also, after awhile the "who's going to get poisoned next?" aspect of the show gets tiresome, but that's the history I guess.

The actor who plays Augustus is really good too. Overall, I recommend it if you're into Roman history. And it's cool to pronounce the name of the show as "I, CLAV-DIVS" (pronounce the u's as v's).

 

D

Dresden

Member

• Aug 5, 2009

• #4

The movie is good, but the book is just pure fucking classic.

If you enjoyed reading Roman histories like Tacitus, the novel is just pure fucking gold. I've read it about three, four times now. And each time, the pure absurdity of power and politics is both funny and sad.

 

L

LCGeek

formerly sane

• Aug 5, 2009

• #5

My friend faf showed this to me before I left a year ago when we were in to Rome on HBO. The series is pretty solid and makes me wish HBO would have continue exploring rome in a similar fashion.

 

L

LiveFromKyoto

Member

• Aug 5, 2009

• #6

I'll watch this one day.

One day.

 

A

Anton Sugar

Member

• Aug 5, 2009

• #7

I definitely pronounced the V's before I actually started learning Latin. Seeing the tapes just sitting on the shelf confused the hell out of me.

I need to get into Rome next, but it seems more...hollywood/fictionalized. The best thing about these shows is knowing that what was portrayed is what (most likely) happened. Opinions?

Haven't read the book but I have ordered it.

 

Battersea Power Station

Member

• Aug 5, 2009

• #8

 

B

besada

Banned

• Aug 5, 2009

• #9

The PBS series covers both of the Graves novels: I, Claudius and Claudius the God.

I love the series, and love the novels even more. And Seutonius's The Twelve Caesars, the primary reference for Graves's novels, is worth a read if you like musty old Roman histories.