I, Claudius - Drama Connections - 2005 - BBC - Derek Jacobi - John Hurt - Brian Blessed

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
  • I, Claudius - Drama Connections. 2005. BBC. - Derek Jacobi - John Hurt - Brian Blessed
    Narrated by Meera Syal.
    Cast members discuss this classic BBC serial.
    Contributors Brian Blessed, George Baker, John Hurt and Derek Jacobi.

ความคิดเห็น • 204

  • @jamessheridan4306
    @jamessheridan4306 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

    The late 60's through the mid 80's is a period I like to think of as the golden age of Bitish television with I Claudius as its crown jewel.

  • @daveroche6522
    @daveroche6522 ปีที่แล้ว +36

    What's often overlooked is the kickass theme AND the opening - with the snake. NEVER gets old...

  • @finch45lear
    @finch45lear ปีที่แล้ว +12

    I watched this on PBS in Philadelphia in 1976 when I was 14. Bloody brilliant !!!!

  • @chereecargill355
    @chereecargill355 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Great series and the first time I saw those amazing actors Derek Jacobi, John Hurt, Patrick Stewart, Sian Phillips, John Rhys-Davies, and so many more!

    • @michaelcooley4553
      @michaelcooley4553 หลายเดือนก่อน

      They didn't even mention Patrick Stewart!

  • @saradecapua3264
    @saradecapua3264 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I've watched the series 8 times and still marvel at the quality of the performances. We will never see anything like this from BBC ever again. BBC needs to go back to Elizabeth R, Shadow of the Tower, 6 Wives of Henry the Eighth and I Claudius. There are no actors who can compare anymore.

  • @Cortinaman63
    @Cortinaman63 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Director Herbert Wise, was a nice man, I was a Child Actor working on another production in the next Studio at TVC,, and met all the Cast at tea/meal breaks, they looked amazing in the Roman Costumes, and I asked the female Floor Manager if I could go in to see the sets, (it was a Closed set) so only Cast and Crew allowed, but she asked Herbert, and he came out looked at me and said yes, so I met him and he and the Floor Manager showed me around, I loved it.
    I also met fellow Child Actor Robert Craig-Morgan who played (Young Caligula) and then in 1977 "(Justin) in "Grange Hill",
    I instantly liked Robert, (on that days shoot we were the only two kids in our studios working with all Adult Actors), and so I hoped to work with him, and fate let me as we did a scene together in Grange Hill, 2 years later.
    The Set builders, Props Dept, Make-up, & Costume, did "SUPERB WORK" on this Series, and many others, they help make every thing look and feel so real, as a young Child and still as an Adult Actor I have always admired their work, and taken the time to praise it, on every Production I have worked on over the years,
    I really enjoyed watching I Claudius, in 1976, especially as I had been in the Studio and on the sets, (and chatted to all the Cast and some of the Crew, all of them were lovely and so friendly, over my 3 days of filming at TVC), It is so many years ago now, but still so vivid in my mind, happy times working at the BBC in the 1970's as a child, on various Productions, with some of the finest Crews, and indeed Fellow Actors in the Industry.
    I enjoyed this Video, about I Claudius, especially nice to see those sadly no longer with us, but not forgotten, and remembered with much affection.

  • @aarondyer.pianist
    @aarondyer.pianist ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Back when TV was worth watching. And the great theme should not be underestimated.

  • @TuttleCapt
    @TuttleCapt ปีที่แล้ว +10

    It was a major success for PBS's Masterpiece Theater in 77, when I was a high school junior. I found it riveting!

  • @Portugal2025
    @Portugal2025 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    This was a perfect show. Every single frame

  • @numberstation
    @numberstation 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    I, Claudius and The Singing Detective are the finest dramas I’ve ever seen on television.

  • @vendvere1637
    @vendvere1637 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    When I first watched "I, Claudius" in the early 80s, I kept saying to myself, "This is not my Father's Rome!" I loved that! That they were able to depict the small, the terrifying, the purely insane, and the hysterically funny, in such a wonderful way! This us one of my all-time favorites!

  • @KAH5371
    @KAH5371 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I love this mini series so much! I saw it on PBS back in the 80s, I think. Missed the last episode as the electricity went out due to a storm. Ha! It was several years later when
    I got the VHS tapes, that I got to finally see the final episode. Now, I have it on DVD and have watched it many many times. All the actors and actresses were excellent! 🥰

  • @sazfretz1945
    @sazfretz1945 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    I was 13 when the whole family gathered round the TV to indulge in this. I've seen it so much that, no matter how many years go by in between viewings, I can still recite the dialog along with the actors.

  • @wenglishsal
    @wenglishsal ปีที่แล้ว +4

    An absolutely fantastic series, it gripped my family and we tuned in every week.. The music made it too, especially when the closing music came on, almost shocking you with it sharp notes..
    Brilliant, all of it, every actor perfectly placed.. WOW

  • @mpetersen428
    @mpetersen428 ปีที่แล้ว +39

    RIP John Hurt (Caligula) and George Baker (Tiberius). Well done!

  • @ChristinePollock-sr6nk
    @ChristinePollock-sr6nk ปีที่แล้ว +4

    So many great, top of their profession, actresses and actors in one series. I can't think of it happening before or since... probably couldn't afford it these days!

  • @marysue7165
    @marysue7165 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    This was an upstanding series! Thanks for sharing it for new viewers

  • @sandramorey2529
    @sandramorey2529 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    We loved this series. I am watching it again now. I still love it. I'm so glad that there was telvision for people who love a good story with wonderful acting.
    Nowadays that seems to be a rarity.

  • @jeromesullivan4015
    @jeromesullivan4015 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I loved it so much that I purchased an open Blu-ray player and imported the original…😮😅

  • @SMtWalkerS
    @SMtWalkerS ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Such a great series with fantastic actors galore! I still love it!

  • @carolynellis387
    @carolynellis387 2 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Terrific series....BBC has done fantastic dramas in the past but this had actors all in their prime or starting out. Patrick Stewart with a full head of hair!

    • @mikelheron20
      @mikelheron20 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Patrick Stewart was already bald. He wore a wig.

    • @carolynellis387
      @carolynellis387 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@mikelheron20 oh no! how disappointing

    • @NJTDover
      @NJTDover 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Jean Luc Picard has always been as bald as a crystal ball, chump.

  • @disgruntledpedant2755
    @disgruntledpedant2755 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Perfect casting. My god.

  • @whortle
    @whortle ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I was sufficiently fortunate to see I, Claudius. It must be one of the best series ever produced.

  • @54blewis
    @54blewis ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I remember how it was best soap opera on TV…glued to the telly each week…

  • @stephenchristian5739
    @stephenchristian5739 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    My addiction, for years & years now & shared with many a girl from Ukraine to Russia to the Philippines it never ceases to impress. I bought the cd collection & took it with me to my different hideaways across the sea, I will say however buying the CD set, well, that's like giving a crack head CRACK!

  • @wdsmauglir4683
    @wdsmauglir4683 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    A true testament to humanities darker side, brilliantly acted

  • @robert4724
    @robert4724 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I watched this amazing drama back in the late 1970s on PBS here in NYC, it was mostly uncut then, today it would be heavily censored here across the Pond

    • @elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633
      @elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      You think so? Why? There's so much (too much) sex and violence in films today.

    • @robert4724
      @robert4724 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633 “Why”? Because censorship is wrong, period.

  • @alanknight3778
    @alanknight3778 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Let's not forget that when this first screened, many saw it as degenerate filth and called for it to be taken off.

  • @broadwaysam8405
    @broadwaysam8405 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    WONDERFUL series! Nothing like it since. Going to see if I can find it to watch again.

  • @Portugal2025
    @Portugal2025 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    Deleting the scene showing Drusilla’s dead body actually worked because the horror in Claudius’ face was far more chilling. What you don’t see is far more effective than what you do see

    • @Tubetester
      @Tubetester ปีที่แล้ว +2

      However, in England her body was shown. Apparently it was censored here, or so I believed when I saw the complete scene in London many years ago.

    • @Portugal2025
      @Portugal2025 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@Tubetester The first time I saw this back in 1977 I recall Caligula assuring Drusilla “There’ll be no pain I promise you”. Next thing you hear. Guttural screams. Cut to Claudius opening the door and then closing it with abject horror on his face. Second time I saw this might have been the uncensored version. Caligula straps Drusilla on the golden handcuffs and removed her robe. He then produces a menacing dagger which a much spontaneously sobered up Drusilla inquires about. Caligula then describes what he is about to do (spoiler alert) in terms of removing his competition much as Zeus did. Shriek of horror. Caligula exits with a bloody fake beard (I wonder if that was meant to be fake) and he says to Claudius “Don’t go in there. Don’t go in there”. Claudius horror reaction and scene. The Starks and the Lannisters had nothing on these guys.
      It really astonishes me when you think about when this was made. I saw this over 35 years ago and I will never forget it. This scene was brilliantly thanks to Derek Jacobi, John Hurt, and Beth Morris. John and Beth - RIP. Your work was amazing

    • @Ciara1594
      @Ciara1594 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank the gods that
      never happened in
      real life. 🙄

    • @canalesworks1247
      @canalesworks1247 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Tubetester I would have preferred to see it.

    • @canalesworks1247
      @canalesworks1247 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Ciara1594 We don't really know one way other the other. The same is true of Nero's atrocities. We do know that Agrippina the Younger slept with Nero in order to control him. We also know that the heroic details of her death seem to be true. What we don't know is whether or not Nero engaged in necrophelia.
      Where Drusilla is concerned it's hard to say whether or not that story was just a myth.

  • @ggoannas
    @ggoannas ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Best series ever!

  • @davidvalensi8616
    @davidvalensi8616 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    They approached it from a Roman's viewpoint, all the traditions and superstitions that Robert Graves wrote about, which he took from Suetonius and Tacitus original writings. That plus the scriptwriters ability to understand the minds and motivations of these people ,taking into account the historical events that occurred, some one with this much power would have had to act like this, or do that to protect the family from scandal, ultimately, what do you do if someone with absolute power goes mad.

  • @banquetoftheleviathan1404
    @banquetoftheleviathan1404 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I been getting pulled into these clips lately. Damn only 13 episodes? I can definitely do that

  • @DMfilmfan
    @DMfilmfan ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Having read Michael Korda's bio of his dad and his uncles Alex and Zoltan, I recall their attempt to film I Claudius was problem-plagued from the start. Laughton was uncertain of how to portray a stutterer, and Alex Korda strongly discouraged him from basing Claudius' his stutter on the King (Elizabeth II's father). In no way did Alex want to offend the Royal Family by drawing attention to, or mocking, the King's stutter. Then Merle Oberon (Messalina) was injured in a car accident, and during her recovery the decision was made to cancel production of the film.

    • @elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633
      @elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      This 1937 version, never finished would have been even better, no matter how great the 1976 I, Claudius was.

  • @PC-lu3zf
    @PC-lu3zf ปีที่แล้ว +4

    My mother worked on that show. As a stage manager. Herbert Wise was a family friend he died in 2015. The curse my late mother believed as many had terrible trouble post the show my mother got very sick 20 years later. John Hurts first wife died sad. Robert Graves who wrote it went mad maybe because it’s lying about stuff like Livia killing her son Drusus this is as untrue he died of infection and Livia was very upset. Mother said Lisemore who died in a tragic car crash early in 1977 fell victim to the curse. I doubt it will ever be re made.

  • @dmontes133
    @dmontes133 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I watch this show, at least once a year.

  • @idahoairplanes1235
    @idahoairplanes1235 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I Claudius was a major part of my life.

  • @rathertiredofthemess2841
    @rathertiredofthemess2841 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I, Claudius was fabulous! I own the serious.

  • @Earthmoonstars-el6rd
    @Earthmoonstars-el6rd ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This made for T.V. drama about emperor I ,Claudia's ,was the best ever show about ancient Rome. If they ever did attempt to redo this classic epic again ,please follow the script as it should be or just clean it up with A.I.

  • @johnpolhamus9041
    @johnpolhamus9041 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The greatest contemporary instruction in pure power politics that there is, told by the greatest cast ever assembled. Seminal. Want to know how the world really works? Watch "I, Claidius," and learn.

  • @candelise
    @candelise ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This series was a big influence on The Sopranos.

    • @grantwalker660
      @grantwalker660 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      And apparently the Sopranos on Breaking Bad. Both derivatives of I. Claudius.

  • @KelliViti
    @KelliViti 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I was eight in 76. Watching this with my parents on channel thirteen, in NY / PBS. It was rebroadcast quite a few years later. By that time. All I could think about. Was how very much I wanted Caesar to suddenly exclaim. DIVE!! Also that Livia, ( witch that she was ) Lacked a certain something. ( a Gom Jabbar, perhaps ) Not to mention. That Gurney Halleck was now a conscripted man with a full head of red hair! ( One who would in future. Be shorn once again. A beloved Captain. On a trek, among the stars )

  • @Rickwmc
    @Rickwmc 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    5:26 "And Claudius knows that I need the money." Hah! We all need the money -- Especially starving writers.

  • @controlfreak1963
    @controlfreak1963 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I knew nothing of the Romans when I first saw this as a teenager. I was completely sucked into the story as the acting and stagecraft were insanely good for the time it was released. My friends had no interest but I was fascinated about history for the rest of my life.

  • @SteveM-ly7oy
    @SteveM-ly7oy 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I'm watching it now, in early 2024, only two episodes to go. The level of acting is off the scale! In my opinion you can see where the creators of Game of Thrones got some ideas.

  • @christineoberloh6160
    @christineoberloh6160 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    My favorite scene was Livia talking to the gladiators.

  • @Ciara1594
    @Ciara1594 ปีที่แล้ว

    The strange thing about
    Caligula, is that for the
    first six months of his rule,
    Caligula was an excellent
    emperor but then something
    happened and 💩 hit the fan. 😑

  • @onceamusician5408
    @onceamusician5408 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    IT was a great story a great series and a great production
    But was it historically accurate?
    It comes down as to how much you believe the original sources , mostly if I recall correctly Suetonius and Tacitus.
    and as they had their own republican (Romans sense not American) agendas that is still a question hotly debated by historians even today.
    As or myself I have no idea

  • @winstonelston5743
    @winstonelston5743 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    While word on the street is that _I, Claudius_ was heavily fictionalized by Graves and the first century sources BCE and CE were prone to exaggerate, I found the series entirely credible and the novels even more-so.
    Hard to believe it's been almost fifty years!

  • @yourpalanon8182
    @yourpalanon8182 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The only “DIFFERENCE” is they happened to rule the world?

  • @wretch1
    @wretch1 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Clavdivs 😂

  • @cannyexplorer5357
    @cannyexplorer5357 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    When the BBC had standards of producing good drama/ comedy tv programmes. Today utter trash with poor sound and picture quality. Not worth the licence fee we are conned into paying.

    • @mikewhite1500
      @mikewhite1500 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hmm.. So what is your solution?

  • @zorglubmagnus455
    @zorglubmagnus455 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Wish they had bothered to use actual cameras to film it.

    • @UKHeritageRailways
      @UKHeritageRailways ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Well, what do you think they used, cardboard boxes? It is a TV drama series shot in a tv studio to video tape using EMI 2001 cameras. There was no high definition in 1976 only 625 line standard definition.

    • @zorglubmagnus455
      @zorglubmagnus455 ปีที่แล้ว

      No of course, it's just to bad they didn't use film at that time for a high profile production. @@UKHeritageRailways

  • @madiantin
    @madiantin ปีที่แล้ว +1

    26:00. Agripinilla? AGRIPINILLA????

    • @neiloflongbeck5705
      @neiloflongbeck5705 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Agripinilla Minor (Latin for "the younger") ( 16-59 AD), often called "Agripinilla" to distinguish her from her mother, was the daughter of Germanicus and Agripinilla Major. She was sister of Caligula, sister-in-law of Tiberius, niece and wife of Claudius, and the mother of Nero. She was born at Oppidum Ubiorum on the Rhine, afterwards named in her honour Colonia Agripinillae (modern Cologne, Germany).
      When Caligula became emperor, he decided he was a god and imitated the domestic lives of the gods by sleeping with his three sisters, Drusilla, Livilla and Agrippina. He also setup a brothel in the palace where he sold his sisters and charged high rates. Ultimately he got tired of having them around the court and exiled Livilla and Agrippina to a small island where they were forced to earn their bread by diving for sponges. Claudius, who was kind hearted, allowed the girls to return to Rome when he took the throne.
      Her first husband was Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus. From this marriage she sired Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, who became emperor Nero. As a widow, she wooed her uncle, Emperor Claudius and became his favourite councillor. They were married on New Years day of 49 AD, after the death of Messalina. She then proceeded to persuade Claudius to adopt her son, thereby placing him in the line of succession to the Imperial throne. Later in his life, Claudius is reported to often repent these decisions in public. Her star was beginning to fade. But Agripinilla was a true Imperial politician that did not reject murder as a way to win her battles. She is believed to have poisoned Claudius in 54 AD, and thus making Nero emperor.
      For some time, Agripinilla influenced Nero, her son, as she had controlled her diseased husband. She thwarted Nero's love affairs, forbid him to do as he chose and often threatened him that she would expose his treatment of her and make Britannicus emperor in his place. Nero ended this threat by poisoning 14 year old Britannicus at the imperial table. He bypassed the boy's taster appointed to protect him by handing him a cup in which the liquid was too hot, after having tasted it, a servant poured in poisoned cold water in the drink which was then handed to the boy. After one sip Britannicus went into convulsions and died instantly. Nero "lay back unconcernedly," claiming that Britannicus was merely having an epileptic fit.
      Now Nero had nothing to fear of his mother, and was fed up with her constant criticizing. He deprived her from her honours and exiled her from the palace, but that wasn't enough. Three times he tried to poison her, but she had been raised in the Imperial family and was accustomed to take antidotes. Then he built a machine attached to the roof of her bedroom, destined to make the ceiling collapse - the device failed. Soon enough hired informers accused her of plotting Nero's death, but Agrippina faced down the charges declaring they were false. Nero had at this time fallen in love with Sabina Poppae (who desperately wanted to be empress). Agripinilla fiercely opposed this union and the two women fought for control of the emperor. Agripinilla went as far as to sleep with her son to retain her influence, but Nero knew the only way to be rid of her was to kill her. Finally he planned a shipwreck . He had a ship built that would collapse at sea, then gave a banquet of reconciliation for his mother. He treated her with great respect, then ushered her to her ship and bade her farewell, kissing her affectionately on the eyes and bosom. Undoubtedly, at this point, Nero thought his problems were over.
      When the planned accident occurred, only some of the crew were in on the plot and their efforts were hampered by the rest of the crew trying to save the ship. As it went down one of her handmaidens thought to save herself by crying that she was Agripinilla, thinking they would take special care of her. Instead the maid was instantly beaten to death with oars and chains. The real Agripinilla realised then what was happening and in the confusion managed to swim away where a passing fisherman picked her up. Her past as a sponge diver proved handy. She sent a messenger to inform her son of her escape pretending to have no suspicions of his guilt so that she would have time to plan her revenge. The terrified Nero, knowing his cover had been blown, and that his mother's revenge was sure to be deadly, framed the messenger by accusing him of attacking the emperor and then sent freedmen to charge her with treason and summarily execute her. When the Emperor's soldiers came to kill her, Agripinilla pulled back her clothes and ordered them to "Strike here!" in the belly that had housed such a monstrous son.

    • @madiantin
      @madiantin ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@neiloflongbeck5705 Fabulous information! Thank you! I didn't know she was called Agripinilla to distinguish her from her mother.

    • @neiloflongbeck5705
      @neiloflongbeck5705 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@madiantin you're welcome

  • @philippecasteleyn9327
    @philippecasteleyn9327 ปีที่แล้ว

    and bad quality picture.

  • @Woodman-Spare-that-tree
    @Woodman-Spare-that-tree ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The make-up and prosthetics were terrible. Very unrealistic.

  • @arkady714
    @arkady714 ปีที่แล้ว

    Saw this as a kid on public TV with my folks...Alistair Cook gave comments as if this show were Shakespeare. Then, as an adult, traveled and lived in Europe with a stint in the UK. Watched the series again on TH-cam and realized that it was nothing more than bigoted, ethnocentric bullsh1t. A thinly veiled period piece where that was more a reference to Brit society than anything else. Upper class accents, an Israelite that takes a bribe when the price is high enough and a reference to the king of the Britons who shows up all noble at the emperor's court. Of course the Germanic guards are bumbling dolts who can only utter "Oh, yyyyyaaaaah?" After learning about the UK and watching this show later in life, I learned that you can't get proper chips in Iberia.

  • @hunterluxton5976
    @hunterluxton5976 ปีที่แล้ว

    An overrated actor. An ordinary talent.

  • @SirAntoniousBlock
    @SirAntoniousBlock ปีที่แล้ว +20

    Brian Blessed 11:50 the greatest scene in TV history, "Have you slept with my daughter?"
    _"No.....well not.....slept..."_ "Oh so up against the wall in the street then?"
    "And you?"
    _"Just the once Caesar"_ "Ah just the once, that's alright then". 😂

  • @sauronbagginsd8032
    @sauronbagginsd8032 3 ปีที่แล้ว +97

    I, Claudius is the greatest TV drama of all time

    • @MrKaywyn
      @MrKaywyn 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Alongside Pennies From Heaven.

    • @franceleeparis37
      @franceleeparis37 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yep, one of the funniest… how I laughed at the cheap drama sets, the poor lighting, the naff dialogue and a less than ‘grand’ approach to the Roman Empire… nothing compared to what I was told at school about the great Roman Empire.. it was a ‘Blake’s Seven’ compared to Star Trek..😂😂

    • @sauronbagginsd8032
      @sauronbagginsd8032 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@franceleeparis37 if you only watched the series for gladiator fights and the sets, you clearly didn’t watch the series I did……..and Star Trek is rubbish, just sayin

    • @chickencharlie1992
      @chickencharlie1992 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Clearly you've never seen 2 broke girls

    • @margueritejohnson8373
      @margueritejohnson8373 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I was in rehearsal for ‘A Day in the Death of Joe Egg’ when I Claudius was on and never have I known rehearsals end and get cleared up so quickly and efficiently. The whole cast was addicted!

  • @EM-lz9kg
    @EM-lz9kg 2 ปีที่แล้ว +52

    Every generation must watch this phenomenal series , it’s timeless. The Graves books are incredible . I Claudius is timeless , the cast is outstanding & it was a time we’re it felt audiences were respected that we had a literal perspective

  • @thecrimsonbubbles
    @thecrimsonbubbles 3 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    the only thing Game of Thrones has on I, Claudius is budget and battles.
    as a TV show it's not even close.

    • @rdred8693
      @rdred8693 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      IIRC, Martin was inspired by I, Claudius.
      Still I think I, Claudius is FAR superior.

    • @deadandburied7626
      @deadandburied7626 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      "Rome" was good in its own way.

    • @elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633
      @elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Of course not. Populist stuff!

    • @DaxSports1
      @DaxSports1 17 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      ​@@rdred8693I checked out this show cause GRRM said Stannis was based on George Baker as Tiberius. But I feel like he straight up stole Cersei from Livia as well 😅😂😂.

    • @rdred8693
      @rdred8693 16 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@DaxSports1
      Oh that is awesome!
      Livia was so deliciously evil.
      And I loved Baker

  • @ellenchavez2043
    @ellenchavez2043 ปีที่แล้ว +33

    This was a fabulous series. Derek Jacoby was fabulous in it. It was really great they decided to have him revisit his role as Claudius in "The Gladiator".

  • @Portugal2025
    @Portugal2025 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    No better show was ever made. I was 14 when it first was introduced to PBS and I was knocked out. I have seen this show too many times to count

  • @EM-lz9kg
    @EM-lz9kg 2 ปีที่แล้ว +97

    It was a family event in our household even though I was a child , due to feeling of being at the theatre. I can’t emphasise enough how important and timeless phenomenon I Claudius still is . The cast is outstanding, it’s created by a inspirational team & the power struggle & corruption of power so perfectly demonstrated. How Rome ruled most of the world yet could not rule itself . The radio adaptation I highly recommend

    • @cautionTosser
      @cautionTosser ปีที่แล้ว +9

      same exactly. My mother would give dramatic side eyes to my dad at certain times (especially with Caligula), but my father was firm on his position of this being high art and we would all benefit from it.
      I think he was right. :)

    • @hamishanderson6738
      @hamishanderson6738 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I CLAVDIVS

    • @cautionTosser
      @cautionTosser ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@hamishanderson6738 get out of my head! my brother and I refused to pronounce it properly for a long time after that. :)

    • @hamishanderson6738
      @hamishanderson6738 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@cautionTosser l think it was
      Harry & Paul (Enfield & Whitehouse)
      that set me off.😁

    • @markhayward7400
      @markhayward7400 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I agree with you. 'I Claudius' was event television. Literate, compelling and wonderfully well acted.

  • @loupasternak
    @loupasternak 2 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    Jack Pulman must have been a genius, the dialog was brilliant

    • @A.l85
      @A.l85 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      This series is one big brilliance

  • @richardholmes
    @richardholmes  ปีที่แล้ว +27

    I, Claudius is being shown in the UK on BBC4 from the 16th of August 2023.

    • @maryvasilakakos7387
      @maryvasilakakos7387 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Absolutely totally overwhelmingly agree.
      I rewatch it all the time and think how awful something so great and layered and complex would not be produced in today's woke climate
      Cheers from Melbourne 😊

    • @elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633
      @elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@maryvasilakakos7387 And far right climate!

    • @maryvasilakakos7387
      @maryvasilakakos7387 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633
      And far left not much better. A plague on both their houses.
      🤣

    • @elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633
      @elizabethcsicsery-ronay1633 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@maryvasilakakos7387 You're right of course.

  • @Katherine-wi6gx
    @Katherine-wi6gx ปีที่แล้ว +16

    I’m a 29 year old American. My father shared the show with me when I was in college. I honestly think about it all the time. While I search for a new series to watch, I think of this masterpiece. It simply cannot be matched. I cannot wait to share it with my own children.

    • @rdred8693
      @rdred8693 16 วันที่ผ่านมา

      I watched it when it came out, I was about ten.
      A LOT of it went over my head, but I loved it.

  • @BoBo0807
    @BoBo0807 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Like many commenters here, I have (childhood) memories of sitting down as a family and watching this unfold on our TV. As it happens, I'm just finishing Graves' novel now; and there's *almost no dialogue!* It's largely narrative. What a monumental task, to make it into a teleplay. I'm more impressed now than ever.

  • @peterandjunko
    @peterandjunko ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Frasier Crane: “I have all 13 episodes of I, Claudius on tape.”
    Sam Malone: “Great. I love gladiator movies!”

  • @christopherdaffron8115
    @christopherdaffron8115 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    So watched I, Claudius here in America on my local PBS station. This was shown on Alister Cook's Masterpiece Theater. I loved the intro music to that show!

  • @robertbollard5475
    @robertbollard5475 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    My Vietnamese-Chinese mother in law didn't speak English. But when she somehow got hold of my DVD Boxset of I Claudius she watched it with obvious relish. Here was an emperor; here was palace intrigue; here was decadence and madness. She could evidently understand all that was going on without understanding a single word of the dialogue,

  • @tttdrr2293
    @tttdrr2293 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Two shows that were a marvel and epic : I Claudius and the Prisoner.

  • @johnryskamp7755
    @johnryskamp7755 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    One of the things incorporated in this series, is the ancient idea that the gods can be invisibly present in human interactions and decide humans' fate. There is a wonderful example of this in Claudius, when the wolf cub falls to Claudius. The seer says that the meaning is that Claudius will be the protector of Rome. Drucilla says that she hopes she will be dead and buried by then. At which point Antonia tells her to go to her room and that she will have nothing to eat for the rest of the day. It is as if a God is invisibly there, and when Lavilla talks, says, You will get your wish, and when Antonia says what she says, says, And that is how Lavilla will get what she wants. Because when Sejanus falls, Antonia kills Lavilla by locking her in her room and starving her to death.

    • @EM-lz9kg
      @EM-lz9kg 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      In the book Drucilla hides as the children are told to leave except Claudius, yet she still says “ I hope to be dead “ & she got heard

  • @anitarichmond8930
    @anitarichmond8930 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    This series is beyond brilliant, I’ve been aware of it since 1976 and was enthralled at first viewing . It’s has stuck with me every since, well done 🍷

  • @A.l85
    @A.l85 2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    It's a series that I enjoy watching over and over again. Ever since I found its episodes on TH-cam, I can't stop enjoying it!♥️👍

  • @richmotroni
    @richmotroni ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I, Claudis will go down as the greatest program in BBC-TV history. It is a near perfect masterpiece.

  • @dukecity7688
    @dukecity7688 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    This is television at its finest. I watched it in 1982(3). It stayed with me for years. When I watched it the second time fourty years later, it was better than I remembered. Masterful.

    • @christineduffy3113
      @christineduffy3113 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Unfortunately they don't make them like that anymore when the BBC ruled I also loved The Forsytes Saga both pure class

  • @seltaeb3302
    @seltaeb3302 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Just saw Brian Blessed in an current advert, still that great booming voice. He's like William Shatner, ageless. They must be 150yrs old now!

  • @mernaloy2269
    @mernaloy2269 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Every so often I take out my dvd collection and go back in time. I, Claudius is perfectly done and I never tire of it.

  • @EM-lz9kg
    @EM-lz9kg 2 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Antonia was crueler to Claudius in real life as a child & his grandmother livia had him living with her . Disability was seen as shameful & cursed . Antonia felt she was to produce children of the highest standards. It also showed the misogynistic attitude towards woman only having power in the back seat . yet for me it shows the horror of Incestuous maniacal family line rather than a republic . All of it so brilliantly represented in 13 episodes

  • @sukijay4990
    @sukijay4990 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    It’s still the best production I have ever seen. Nothing will ever be better written or better acted than I Claudius. I remember being on a camping holiday with friends and going to the television room at the social club on the Wednesday to watch I Claudius, all of us anxious not to miss an episode, but the channel was on sport and the room was packed. To our delight, at 7.30 the channel was switched over to BBC2 and it turned out that every single person in that room was there for I Claudius! That’s how popular it was.

  • @OrangeMapleLeaf
    @OrangeMapleLeaf ปีที่แล้ว +4

    My parents and I watched I Claudius breathlessly in The Netherlands, original English version with subtitles. What I remember best is Claudius saying to Germanicus: "p..p..p..Poison?" Germanicus: "Shhh".

  • @aa1589
    @aa1589 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I put this on one day intending to use it as background noise while I fell asleep, but something about it commanded my attention. It is not only masterfully crafted, it is an important lesson in human nature that can on no account be neglected. Film and TV today make way too much of spectacle, and too little of humanity. That's why they're so forgettable. But when you get a master thespian who has command of the english language and of the human experience... that's what really makes a piece of Film or TV great.

  • @deadandburied7626
    @deadandburied7626 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I remember Charlton Heston saying "The Colbys" was influenced by "I, Claudius".

    • @graphiquejack
      @graphiquejack ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Interesting. I could see Sable as a sort of softened Livia. But any woman would seem soft compared to Livia. 🤣

  • @vivaldi1948
    @vivaldi1948 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    One of the best things on television. Never missed it when it aired. Thank you for posting.

  • @johnkochen7264
    @johnkochen7264 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    It started so well with topless dancers and Brian Blessed bellowing in his usual soft spoken way. Then there was Sejanus played by Captain Picard!

    • @RFL1976
      @RFL1976 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      And a fully haired Picard at that!

  • @denisetrott5085
    @denisetrott5085 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Used to watch twice a week,was obsessed with it . Superb

  • @Pellefication
    @Pellefication ปีที่แล้ว +13

    The series was on Swedish TV in 1978. I was 16 at the time. Magic TV Theater! Great British actors. Fantastic script.
    The series can be seen here on TH-cam....now I'm thinking of binge-watching the whole thing.
    (with Spanish subtitles, but that doesn't matter).

  • @grantwalker660
    @grantwalker660 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I used to come home after hockey practice (Canadian here..) and watch the series on PBS on our newly connected cable television from the US. I recently thought about those times and then binge-watches the whole series on TH-cam. I told my Wife about it and she asked 'how many seasons are there?'...Netflix conditioned I guess. What a great series and amazing camera angles, acting and story telling.

  • @Mink-yu8nu
    @Mink-yu8nu ปีที่แล้ว +1

    It's funny that they used The Mafia as an influence because I Claudius was said to have been an influence on The Sopranos.

  • @chrispittman8854
    @chrispittman8854 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is a series that one NEVER sees TH-cam reactors viewing, but I feel that's about to change. It makes "Game of Thrones" look like "G for all audiences." If the legendary script writing or acting doesn't get them, the "shock factor" is going to blow their minds. WOW do I remember the "conservative" uproar over the airing of this on PBS.

  • @derekflegg2670
    @derekflegg2670 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I was a little kid when this came on one of the three channels (TV Ontario) we got back then on a rabbit ears antenna and I loved every minute of it..

  • @MrKaywyn
    @MrKaywyn 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I knew there was a Comedy Connections, but, I didn't know there was a Drama series.

  • @reoproedros
    @reoproedros ปีที่แล้ว +2

    i wonder if that part that john hurt got in the movie aliens , with the alien ripping his guts , has something to do with the part in i claudius where he eats the unborn child from his sister's womb and kills her.
    there is a resemblance , a continuance

  • @willmpet
    @willmpet ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I came to love “The Epic That Never Was” and found the TV version lacking.

  • @ronaldschultenover8137
    @ronaldschultenover8137 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Claudius was a great emperor

  • @jonathanstallickhomeopathy
    @jonathanstallickhomeopathy ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This was the most gripping tv moment ever! It has never been bettered as an epic that touched the nerve of the whole nation. In 1976 everyone rushed home to see the next episode. Absolutely momentous and still as gripping 47 years later.

    • @elizabeths4371
      @elizabeths4371 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      "In 1976 everyone rushed home to see the next episode."
      and Me too!

  • @s.m.assies6448
    @s.m.assies6448 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I saw this in the Netherlands when I was a lad of about 14, I guess. Superb drama.

  • @stevepringle2295
    @stevepringle2295 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I watched this series with my parents and never forgot about it. I was barely in my teens at the time.