"I, Claudius" (1976) TV mini-series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

6 November 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History

Tagline:

Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud hatch out.

Plot:

The history of the Roman Empire as experienced by one of its rulers.

Plot Keywords:

Claudius | Emperor | Roman Empire | Tiberius | Conspiracy

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 5 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Derek Jacobi	...	Claudius (12 episodes, 1976)
George Baker	...	Tiberius (9 episodes, 1976)
Margaret Tyzack	...	Antonia (9 episodes, 1976)
Siân Phillips	...	Livia (7 episodes, 1976)
James Faulkner	...	Herod Agrippa / ... (7 episodes, 1976)
Brian Blessed	...	Augustus (5 episodes, 1976)
John Hurt	...	Caligula (5 episodes, 1976)

Runtime:

650 min (13 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Spain:7 | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-11 (DVD) (2005) | UK:15 | USA:Not Rated

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The final installment, "Old King Log," contains a pun on the names of both the screenwriter and the author of the 'Claudius' novels. Before his vision in the Senate where he sees the ghosts of his past, Claudius mysteriously declares "The man who dwells by the pool shall open graves and the dead will live again." This plays on Jack Pulman, the screenwriter; and Robert Graves, the novelist.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Julia had two elder sons that died a few years after her banishment. Historically, it was Lucius who died first of mysterious causes of illness and then Gaius who died in a campaign after being wounded. In "I, Claudius" however, it is Gaius who died first of the mysterious causes *before* Julia's banishment and Lucius is the one who dies in the "accident".

Quotes:

[about Augustus being deified]
Claudius: I believe it was foretold.
Livia: Really. Who foretold it?
Claudius: Jove.
Livia: Jove, eh?
Claudius: A hundred days ago he melted the 'C' off one of Augustus' statues.
Livia: And what does that mean, idiot head?
Claudius: If you strike the letter 'C' from the word 'Caesar,' the word 'aesar' is left. And in Etruscan 'aesar' means 'God'.
Livia: If the gods were going to give us a message, why wouldn't they give it to us in Latin?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Cult of...: Poldark (#2.3)" (2008)

Under rated actors doing Oscar caliber performances

Absolutely glorious series. All the actors in this series are in or have been in American films but they have always been underrated and are some of the best actors alive. There are more dames and knights than you can believe. Derek Jacobi is breathtaking in his performance. Sian Phillips is subtly evil. John Hurt as Caligula shines with madness. The sets are unbelievable considering the small budget they had. The most shocking thing is that everything in one sense or another is true. These people really did die these ways. It will take you completely out of your everyday life and deposit you in the world of the Romans.