"Rome" (2005) TV series 2005-2007

User Rating:

9.2/10   

Creators:

Bruno Heller
William J. MacDonald
John Milius

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

28 August 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | History | Romance | War

Plot:

A down-to-earth account of the lives of both illustrious and ordinary Romans set in the last days of the Roman Republic.

Plot Keywords:

Roman | Republic | Caesar | Soldier | Ménage À Trois

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 14 wins & 23 nominations

Cast

Kevin McKidd	...	Lucius Vorenus (22 episodes, 2005-2007)
Ray Stevenson	...	Titus Pullo (22 episodes, 2005-2007)
Polly Walker	...	Atia of the Julii (22 episodes, 2005-2007)
Kerry Condon	...	Octavia of the Julii (22 episodes, 2005-2007)
James Purefoy	...	Mark Antony (22 episodes, 2005-2007)
Ian McNeice	...	Newsreader (20 episodes, 2005-2007)
Coral Amiga	...	Vorena the Elder (19 episodes, 2005-2007)
Lindsay Duncan	...	Servilia of the Junii (18 episodes, 2005-2007)
Lidia Biondi	...	Merula (18 episodes, 2005-2007)
Tobias Menzies	...	Marcus Junius Brutus (17 episodes, 2005-2007)
Nicholas Woodeson	...	Posca (17 episodes, 2005-2007)
Indira Varma	...	Niobe (15 episodes, 2005-2007)
David Bamber	...	Marcus Tullius Cicero (15 episodes, 2005-2007)
Chiara Mastalli	...	Eirene (15 episodes, 2005-2007)
Manfredi Aliquo	...	Castor (15 episodes, 2005-2007)
Suzanne Bertish	...	Eleni (14 episodes, 2005-2007)
Max Pirkis	...	Gaius Octavian (13 episodes, 2005-2007)
Lee Boardman	...	Timon (13 episodes, 2005-2007)
Esther Hall	...	Lyde (13 episodes, 2005-2007)
Ciarán Hinds	...	Gaius Julius Caesar (13 episodes, 2005-2007)
Anna Fausta Primiano	...	Vorena the Younger (12 episodes, 2005-2007)
Michael Nardone	...	Mascius (10 episodes, 2005-2007)

Runtime:

UK:90 min (1 episode) | UK:50 min (9 episodes) | 52 min (22 episodes) | Argentina:60 min (12 Episodes)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario) | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-15 (DVD) | Australia:MA (some episodes) (cut) | Australia:R (some episodes) | Australia:MA (TV rating) | Australia:R (DVD rating) | Netherlands:16 (heavily cut) | Germany:16 (TV rating) | Australia:M (some episodes) | Singapore:M18 (season 1) | UK:18 | Portugal:M/12 (DVD rating) | Netherlands:12 (Season 1 DVD rating) | Netherlands:16 (Season 2 DVD rating) | Portugal:M/16 (season 2) | Spain:18 | South Korea:18 | Hungary:16 | New Zealand:R16 (season 2) | Japan:R-15 | Brazil:16

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company:

HD Vision Studios

Trivia:

The names of the main characters, Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, are actual historical. They are mentioned in Caesars’ The Gallic war as two close partners with quarrels between them about each others bravery and who is to be promoted primus pilus. They are mentioned explicitly courageous when Marcus Tullius Cicero's brother was besieged. The audacity of Pullo is also noted, being similar to the Pullo in the series (Book 5.44).

Goofs:

Errors in geography: During several episodes captive birds are shown. There are Macaws and Amazon parrots from America, and cockatoos from Australia. Since the continents these birds came from were unknown to the Romans, who would not have been able to travel there and bring these animals back to Rome with them.

Quotes:

Niobe: [with admiration while helping Lucius put on his magistrate's toga] Look at you.
Titus Pullo: You look like laundry.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards (2006) (TV)

Wonderful for history buffs and common viewers alike!

Even though there has been only one episode so far, I have to say that "Rome" looks to be the best production of ancient Rome I have seen yet. Yes, Gladiator was a cool movie, but it lacked was historical accuracy. "Rome" has brought together what no one though possible: historical accuracy and good production. Octavian is an snide little wimp, but with political brilliance. Marc Antony is an arrogant and drunken man who has a love for brutality. Caesar is cunning and insightful. It's all there! The costuming is great, the dialog is crisp, the character interaction spot on and the plot flows smoothly. What more could you want!? This series is far and above that ABC knock-off "Empire", which couldn't even get Roman troops in proper costume. Every penny of this record-budget ($12 million for 12 episodes I think) series was well spent.