Pretty Good

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Simply the best acted series on Roman history I've eer seen.

I recently came across this magnificent miniseries. Forget about big budgets, forget about spectacular effects and lavish action scenes, this is a simple production yet at the same time a masterclass in how TV can be done. Despite its simplicity, the acting and writing blew me away, combined with a captivating story, how much more is there to say? Not often does one encounter a masterpiece such as this, this truly is one of the finest TV productions!

Although appearing as a series of acts in a play, "I, Claudius" is a masterpiece on every level!The acting is superb; the characters are believable; the costumes are authentic-looking; the make-up department is impeccable; and, every scene is well-done and ranges in mood from very interesting to outright shocking. Yet...less graphic, some of the horrifying events in this during Caligula's reign even puts "Caligula"(1979) to shame.I mentioned the make-up department because they really uglified the beautiful Siân Phillips to portray the conniving, nasty, and, vindictive "Livia" (just like what was done with beautiful Charlize Theron in "Monster.").Unfortunately, I missed "I, Claudius" back in the 1970s when PBS used to show wonderfully-made classics that I did watch such as "The World At War;" "Edward The King;" and, "Masterpiece Theatre," just to name a few."I, Claudius" ("I, Clavdivs") is a classic novel made for television. It's a televised-historical-play that's really second-to-none. On their budget, probably, this mini-series may come across to people nowadays as cheap and theatrically enclosed as there are no real 'outdoorsy' scenes...everything is played-out on what seems a stage. However, the story itself and the dialog, and, the manner in which it's presented, along with the acting and surroundings, is a true classic that only people-of-good-taste can appreciate.I love this masterpiece! :)

I would like to make this clear: I did NOT like the series. I am well aware that it is much praised as it is awarded, but I simply cannot see this. I could start by pointing out that the series was filmed in a limited space area, giving the impression of claustrophobic but this not my primary concern. The main objection I have is about the characters. While watching the first seven episodes, there was one and only one thing in my mind: When is this person going to die (or at least stop doing what she is doing); And, of course I am talking about Livia. This character is portrayed in such an evil, manipulative, poisonous way that I found it difficult to concentrate on anything else. We were seeing such a malicious person that makes Hannibal Lecter look like an altar boy. Now, looking up the historical figure of Augustus' wife, I found that there are many suspicions that she may indeed have been involved in several "accidents" of imperial family members. However, I think there is a great distance between this and the series' affirmation that she single-handedly orchestrated the annihilation of dozens of prestigious royalties. And on top of that she murdered Augustus himself!!! Unfortunately, this does not end with Livia's death. Later, on the series, we see the same thing pretty much going on with Caligula... Overall, I would like to make a comment concerning the so called historical accuracy of it: I am well aware of the fact that there was a lot of plotting and conspiring within the Roman Empire's court. However, I can't help wondering: Was that Roman Empire all about? I frequently recall a great film, Cleopatra (1963) by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, where we could actually enjoy grandeur as well as more than satisfying accuracy of historical facts. I really wish it would take a few ideas from that one.