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