""I, Claudius" back on the BBC" Topic

The renowned BBC series of "I, Claudius" is back on TV as part of the BBC goodbye to the Television Centre, where it was made.

Watched the first episode on BBC 4 last night – 1976 all over again – hasn't aged at all, although sadly a number of the cast are no longer with us.

Twelve more episodes to go!

Agree with all that … just as watchable now as ever …

Phil

Oooh! Oooh!
Will it show up on BBC America?

My favorite line, from Macro.
"He has undergone a transformation. A Meta-mor-pho-sis. He is now a God."

There is a whole bunch of miniseries that should be re-run. This would make up for the crap that goes on now.

"Perhaps it is not the quantity of wit but the quality of wit a person has that makes the difference."

Great series and while yes some of the cast are not with us anymore others are still here and going strong. Loved the bit with Patrick Stewart as Sejanus.

Fab series.

I watched it again last night. It shows just what a good actor Brian Blessed could be when he wasn't hamming it up.

What a coincidence, I just bought the DVD-series last week and am enjoying part 6 for the moment. Still as captivating as so many years ago!

Looking back its really impressive what can be done with a great cast and a good script.

Not a massed battle or a CGI Rome in sight and still really enjoyable!

Loved the bit with Patrick Stewart as Sejanus.

Patrick Stewart with curly hair – There's a scary thought!

But yes, still one of the bet things ever put on TV. Sian Philips as Livia still sets the standard for Evil Old Ladies.

"Livia was bitten by a snake. It is said the snake died."

For those unable to catch it on BBC – it's available from Netflix (on DVD), on Amazon streaming (which is free for Prime members), and for purchase on DVD. One of those that I need to remember to go ahead and buy the DVDs.

Doug

"Trust in my prophetic chickens…"

One of my favorites!

An absolute classic. Y'all enjoy.

I am sure the kid who plays Joffrey watched Caligula for guidance.

I loved it and haven't seen it in years.

"As quick as boiled asparagus!"

One of my pay cable channels ran the entirety of Shogun weekend before last – some of those 1970s miniseries really are amazingly good. Seeing I Claudius once again would be a good thing.

Great series. I watch the DVD version once a year.

Superb series, and one that I have on DVD; most of the cast went onto become household names in other shows or films too. I remember my parents allowed me as a 13/14 y.o. to stay up and watch it as they thought it would be educational; it certainly was!
The 70s was a great time for BBC series, "I Claudius", "Tinker, Tailor", "Shogun", "War & Peace" etc.

The crap that is on TV these days, I despair! Once in a while a gem shines through the dross though, although those moments seem to be rarer and rarer.

Lovely series and great actors.

Have the complete series on DVD, definitely one of the best ever made!

"His life has really opened up since I made him a senator."
YouTube link

It's a great series, I've got it on DVD and get it out at least twice a year. The books are well worth a read as well, I've read them 3 times and they never get old.

Livia: "They won't allow me in because I am a woman, and they won't allow you in because you're a fool. That's strange, when you come to think of it, because it's filled with nothing but old women and fools."

It seems those who govern us haven't changed.

"Only once,Caesar."

Plays well after having watched Rome.

I very much enjoy both Rome and I, Claudius, each on its own merits. And in historical terms, one does lead quite nicely into the other!

Looks like it might be getting a remake.

From Wikipedia – "in 2011, rights passed to HBO and BBC2 to film a miniseries adaptation. Jane Tranter and Anne Thomopoulos, who previously worked on HBO/BBC2's miniseries Rome have been named as producers."

The team who made Rome re-making I,Claudius would be incredible

Derek Jacobi will always be Claw, Claw Claudius, as John Hurt will forever be Little Boots, Caligula. Indeed all the cast were forever seared into my 15 year old brain as the image of their historical characters. Does anyone else have a mental picture of an historical person who will be forever the image of the actor who played them?

My wife and I are watching this again on weekends; we're about halfway through. My wife's school library has the whole series on VHS.

"My happiness comes from contemplating YOUR happiness!"

Best scene IMO, when Livia realizes how Claudius has fooled them all….and her request of him.

Livia: He's the biggest fool in my family. I've always thought that that was you. But I think now… I was wrong.
Claudius: [….pauses]…Grandmother, after all these years you didn't invite me to dinner just to tell me this.
Livia: Wine has made you bold, hasn't it.
Claudius: You said you kept in with Caligula because he was to be the next emperor.
Livia: Lost your stutter too I see.
Claudius: But if by then you're dead, what difference can it make to you?
Livia: Oh, it makes a lot of difference. And that's really why you're here.
[Pleadingly]
Livia: I want to be a goddess, Claudius."

To answer Robert666, Sian Phillips will always be Livia (I just cannot imagine any other actress in that role), just as Peter O'Toole will be Lawrence of Arabia for me.

Huscarle, you are so right about Peter O'Toole no one could ever play that role again.
Kirk Douglas will always be Spartacus. ( I know "I'm Spart….)
George C. Scott is Patton.
Any others?

Derek Jacobi could play the old Claudius, once again!

Sian Phillips will always be Livia (I just cannot imagine any other actress in that role), just as Peter O'Toole will be Lawrence of Arabia for me.

Did you know that these two were married from 1959 to 1979?

No I did not. :-)

Huscarle, you are so right about Peter O'Toole no one could ever play that role again.
Kirk Douglas will always be Spartacus. ( I know "I'm Spart….)
George C. Scott is Patton.
Any others?

Recent addition – Daniel Day-Lewis – no one is going to top his Lincoln in a hurry!

I too am a great fan – but,last year I discovered this:

link

Predates 'I Claudius' by 8 years, grainy black and white, but I really enjoyed it. Takes as many liberties with history, but is much less sensationalist than 'I Claudius' I suspect that the portrayals of Augustus, Livia and Tiberius here are more like their historical counterparts than Robert Grave's versions. Tiberius is certainly no fool, and in some ways the hero of the series. Also a great Claudius by Freddie Jones. Just as good as Jacobi.

Watch it alongside 'I Claudius'and spot the differences…