This is simply an amazing show. The cinematography is incredible and the intrigue is great. A show that depicts a both dark and bright era of the Roman Empire when the Roman Republic has become something of the past yet still held in many people's hearts. The show sets the tone early when with it's mixture of sadness, dark humor, violence, joy, anger, and intrigue. One of the best drama of it's time with characters from our pages of history. The acting is fantastic and the dialogue is simply surreal and fascinating.Derek Jacobi and the rest of the cast simply out do themselves in this great show with their top quality acting I rarely see. The make up and the sets are incredibly well done despite it's time. I truly recommend this show to fans of Roman history and fans of suspenseful shows with a lot of intrigue within the life of the Imperial Roman families.

This is a television great that has aged extremely well considering it was made nearly forty years ago.The story is cleverly told as an autobiography of the emperor Claudius neatly covering the social, family and political comings and goings of the five emperor Julio-Claudian dynasty in which our storyteller's life spans: from the late reign of first Roman emperor Augustus to the imminent succession of the corrupt Nero.Many used to modern productions may be disappointed in the lack of outside scenes, great cinematography or lavish production quality that modern movies give us, but the fact that I soon forgot about this was a testament to the pure theatre this whole series is an excellent example of. Sian Phillips portrayal of Livia Drusilis is chillingly perfect (and sowed the seed for the name of Livia being used for the wife of character Tony Soprano in a television series in later years) It is a great introduction to the social, family and political history of the dynasty. This is obviously from the perspective and bias of the title character, which in the point. Only the profoundly obtuse would see as a criticism.For historical pedants, there might be some slightly annoying things and in one episode we are insultingly (or comically depending on your mood) treated to modern German accents being used by soldiers from Germanic Tribes. That and the generally weaker performances in the later episodes prevented me giving it a 10.

I can't agree more with all those who rated this 10 stars. I'd add an extra one for Classic. The subject matter is so engrossing and well directed and paced. The cast is superb from Derek Jacobi as the lead down to smaller supporting roles by Patrick Stewart, James Faulkner, John Rhys-Davies, Sheila White, Kevin McNally and so many others. Brian Blessed is perfection as Augustus, Sian Phillips beautifully evil as Livia, George Baker so sympathetic as Tiberius and John Hurt awesome as Caligula. This is truly a great Roman epic and without a single battle scene with a cast of thousands. I have watched the entire series at least 4 times and that may total a whole day or more of my life, but well worth it. I recommend it to friends but few have the time to bother watching it. They don't know what a treat they're missing!

When this film (entire series) is viewed by any student of history or for that matter, anyone " wishing to see Rome, . . .as it truly was " will hardly be surpassed for enjoyment. The story told here is that of the first five emperors of Ancient Rome. Brian Blessed plays Augustus and is very accepted as the benevolent dictator. Siân Phillips plays Livia, his scheming wife. George Baker is Tiberius, who waited too long to become emperor and was despised during his tenure. John Hurt plays Caligula who garnered more praise for his role than nearly everyone else. Christopher Biggins plays the fiddle playing Nero. James Faulkner is Herod Agrippa, the jovial friend from the East. His was a particularly sympathetic soul and friend of Claudius. But it is Derek Jacobi as Claudius who tells the tale of his family and does such a fantastic job, that this series has created such a high plateau, he may never surpass it. An excellent series which should also establish for itself the crown of Classic. *****