ROME

[poetman]

Has anyone seen this HBO series, if so, is it worth renting? Why/why not?

Thanks!

 

[ShortClara]

Lots of sex and blood! I liked it a lot - soap opera, well done and very well acted, set in Rome. Two thumbs up! And I'm a a picky TV watcher.

 

[Starius]

I LOVED Rome.

Excellent production quality and acting. I wished it lasted longer than two seasons, but altogether its a very well put together saga.

 

[LadyStardust]

Yes, and YES! Emphatically yes! I thought it was a wonderful series, with great actors who are very engaging and draw you into events in a powerful way. It's a very worthwhile production!

 

[Edward]

Was this the one the BBC was involved in? I liked that a lot, yes.

 

[Dr Doran]

I am a professional Roman historian (well, still in graduate school) and I loved the show. All my colleagues loved it too.

 

[Vintage Betty]

Absolutely fantastic show and I read that it was terribly accurate. But be warned, this is a VERY adult series with full nudity (among other things) -- no kids in the room!!!

And by the way, my husband and I missed the last episode. :eusa_doh: So if anyone wants to loan us their DVD set....

VB

 

[Chas]

I loved it- and bought the first season when it came out on DVD. Being an enthusiast for ancient history, and an admirer of ancient Rome, it was a no-brainer. There is a pretty nifty little feature on the dvd called "All Roads Lead To Rome" which provides explanations and descriptions of many of the scenes and depictions in the series.

It's a pity it was so darned expensive to produce. I would have liked to see more.

The series that it stands on par with is the 1970's BBC series "I, Claudius".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbbBj1j9aZk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp1mk9bdsdM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og3J_s1-bHc&feature=related

 

[dhermann1]

This SHOULD have been a show I loved, but having been married into an Italian family, and having studied a fair amount of Roman history, as the years go by I find I just can't buy the idea of British actors, with British accents and British manners portraying Romans. I just don't buy it at the must profound gut level. Makes me want to scream. They were very different empires, and it just doesn't translate.
Which is ridiculous, since I loved "Gladiator". Go figure. I suspect if I saw "I Claudius" I would have the same reaction, even tho I didn't when it first aired years ago.

 

[Dr Doran]

This SHOULD have been a show I loved, but having been married into an Italian family, and having studied a fair amount of Roman history, as the years go by I find I just can't buy the idea of British actors, with British accents and British manners portraying Romans. I just don't buy it at the must profound gut level. Makes me want to scream. They were very different empires, and it just doesn't translate.
Which is ridiculous, since I loved "Gladiator". Go figure. I suspect if I saw "I Claudius" I would have the same reaction, even tho I didn't when it first aired years ago.

Well then what would you prefer, American accents? The American empire (such as it is) is quite different from the Roman one too.

 

[Chas]

I, Claudius, I think, sort of set the pattern of ancient roman period pieces being done either with British casts or with British accents, for good or ill.

At the time I, Claudius was produced, the only english-speaking actors and directors who were showing any interest in a series set in ancient Rome were Brits. Given the social mores of the time, there was NO way that an American network could have/would have done it.

 

[Hondo]

I saw the series, thought it was outstanding portrayal of ROME and its citizens, I can understand how Italian’s might feel, much like Chinese’s being played by Japanese.

Still you have to give them credit for putting the real Romans on the small screen.
Do any of you remember the 60s Hercules, Sampson movies that were popular?
Those were Italian actors, some times over dramatic. Okay maybe even cheesy, I grew up with Steve Reeves,
Who can not recall “Hercules Unchained”? Kids loved it, less blood as well.
With ROME I was a bit disappointed when it ended too soon, I hope one day (when funds become available) to own the box set. Sex and violence go hand in hand, through out history of ancient Rome or Greece and other countries.

 

[Dr Doran]

Sex and violence go hand in hand, through out history of ancient Rome or Greece and other countries.

Plenty here too.

 

[BeBopBaby]

I am a professional Roman historian (well, still in graduate school) and I loved the show. All my colleagues loved it too.

Did you happen to notice that the latin graffitti on the street walls was often about the characters in the show? I loved that.

I really enjoyed Rome - the attention to detail was astounding and the series had a great (albiet sad) ending (unlike Deadwood).

 

[Hemingway Jones]

This SHOULD have been a show I loved, but having been married into an Italian family, and having studied a fair amount of Roman history, as the years go by I find I just can't buy the idea of British actors, with British accents and British manners portraying Romans. I just don't buy it at the must profound gut level. Makes me want to scream. They were very different empires, and it just doesn't translate.
Which is ridiculous, since I loved "Gladiator". Go figure. I suspect if I saw "I Claudius" I would have the same reaction, even tho I didn't when it first aired years ago.

This was done specifically by the producers because ancient Rome, like the UK until fairly recently, was a stratified society which was designated by culture and accent.

Using English actors accomplishes this very easily and in a way that a modern audience would understand. Rather brilliant on the part of the producers.

I was thoroughly impressed with how accurate this show was. The story lines were, except for a bit of time-compression, spot-on. It was impressive. It was rather interesting how the battle of Actium became a sideline, though it was cheaper this way, I am sure.

Still, a fantastic way of making an exotic and ancient time period real for a modern audience without selling out to sensationalism.

BTW, I also recommend "Ancient Rome on Five Denarii A Day." It is a fantastic book on everyday life in ancient Rome written as a travel guide.

 

[Dr Doran]

Did you happen to notice that the latin graffitti on the street walls was often about the characters in the show? I loved that.

And the Latin was accurate. And the spidery handwriting was very much like ancient Roman graffiti that has survived.

Many, many accurate things, pains-takingly accurate, such as the lead curse tablet and the spell recited over it. We have these tablets now -- they are called defixiones.

The Mithraic initiation ceremony with the bull slaughtered over Atia was good too. Bull-blood-bathing was real for this ceremony.

 

[dhermann1]

I readily admit that my reaction is completely ridiculous.
That's just how my gut reacted. But I agree it's a great series.

 

[Dr Doran]

That's just how my gut reacted. But I agree it's a great series.

Perfectly fair. Myself, I cannot stand Keanu Reeves no matter what. It's also a gut reaction.

 

[cookie]

American versus Roman Empire

Well then what would you prefer, American accents? The American empire (such as it is) is quite different from the Roman one too.

It is a constant question whether the American Empire has over extended like the Roman Empire did on its eastern frontier - Mesopotamia. Rome was constantly troubled by the Sassanian (Persian) Empire.

 

[Dr Doran]

It is a constant question whether the American Empire has over extended like the Roman Empire did on its eastern frontier - Mesopotamia. Rome was constantly troubled by the Sassanian (Persian) Empire.

Good book by Fergus Millar on the topic.