| Think history is boring? Think again! I | | | | Meanwhile, Claudius observes from the shadows |
| Claudius is proof that an educational film | | | | as the ambitious Sejanus (Patrick Stewart) |
| can also be one of the most popular and | | | | conspires to obtain the throne and the |
| entertaining series ever produced. A 1976 | | | | infamous Caligula rises to power. When his |
| mini-series, starring many of the best known | | | | relative is murdered because of his terrible |
| theatrical performers of its day, I Claudius | | | | reign of insanity, Claudius is thrust upon |
| is one of, if not the, greatest productions | | | | the throne, and he attempts to rule with a |
| chronicling the history of the Roman Empire. | | | | firm hand of justice and restore the republic |
| Covering the period from the later years of | | | | to its rightful place of power... |
| Augustus's rule as the first emperor of Rome | | | | |
| to the death of Emperor Claudius, I Claudius | | | | Wrought with suspense, I Claudius will make |
| takes a look at the social and political | | | | its viewers question how any human survived |
| underpinnings and developments of the Roman | | | | the era known as the ancient Roman Empire. |
| Empire through the eyes of Claudius, an often | | | | The murders, double-crossings, and various |
| overlooked member of the emperor's family. An | | | | affairs seem to be drawn from a fictional |
| epic in the true sense of the word, I | | | | paperback found on drugstore shelves - not in |
| Claudius should be on every film buff's | | | | the pages of a history book. But I Claudius |
| viewing list... | | | | stays true to the written account of Roman |
| | | | Emperor Claudius who wrote his memoirs during |
| A young male connected to the family line of | | | | the few years of his reign as the supreme |
| Emperor Augustus, Claudius suffers from a | | | | leader of the greatest empire ever to exist |
| strange limp and an odd stutter which make | | | | on Earth. The result is a story more |
| him appear to be a simple-minded youth. But | | | | intriguing than any book or film since |
| Claudius maintains a keen intellect, and he | | | | produced... |
| observes the events around him with | | | | |
| meticulous precision. As the end of | | | | With superb theatrical performances by the |
| Augustus's long reign as emperor nears its | | | | entire cast (including Patrick Stewart as |
| end, the ruler is in desperate search of an | | | | Sejanus), I Claudius is an engrossing |
| heir. But what he doesn't know is that his | | | | storyline about the true-to-life people and |
| wife Livia is determined to see her son from | | | | events that shaped the history of ancient |
| a previous marriage, Tiberius, ascend to the | | | | Rome. Like the popular prime-time soap opera |
| throne. As such, Livia will stop at nothing | | | | Dallas, viewers are drawn to the intrigue |
| to murder and ruin those who stand in the way | | | | surrounding the various characters without |
| - such as far more noble and deserving heir | | | | even realizing they're learning history in |
| Germanicus. Through drowning, poisoning, and | | | | the process! Given its historical accuracy, |
| less subtle means, she insures Tiberius | | | | brilliant dialogue, and ingenious |
| becomes the next in the line of succession... | | | | performances, I Claudius ranks as a definite |
| | | | must-see series of films. |