Jul, 2017 in a new and occasional series, rewind will look back at a television show or film that has proven to resonate. Though the narrative is largely fictionalized, most of the. I, claudius returns in a 35thanniversary dvd set the new york. I, claudius a superlative part saga, based on robert graves novels, centering on the historian claudius and how, in an unlikely and violent chain of events, he came to rule the roman empire. Written in the form of an autobiography of the roman emperor claudius, it tells the history of the julioclaudian dynasty and the early years of the roman empire, from julius caesars assassination in 44 bc to caligulas assassination in ad 41.
The history of the roman empire as experienced by one of its rulers. By virtue of his stammer and uncontrollable twitches, claudius passes for a fool, thus escaping the poisonous machinations of livia, all the while recording the comings and goings of the imperial household. Based on the novels by robert graves, spanning the history of the. In the end she had to get back to her real passion published on sat 28. Jun 28, 20 sian phillips my six best books sian phillips, 80, made her film debut in becket and went on to win a tv bafta for i, claudius as well as olivier award nominations for her west end roles in pal. Veteran stage actress sian phillips is forever identified on television as the tarantula motherempress livia in the classic bbc series i, claudius 1976, and as the reverend mother in the science fiction epic film dune 1984. Peter otoole, sian phillips husband at the time, reassured the cast at an early showing that the audience would love it, even if the critics didnt. Watch i, claudius episodes online season 1 1978 tv guide. The books were bestsellers, and helped popularize a more personal kind of. The 1976 bbc production of i, claudius is often cited as the best television miniseries of all time. The tvseries starred derek jacobi, sian phillips, brian blessed, george baker, margaret tyzack, john hurt, patricia quinn, ian ogilvy, kevin mcnally. It makes a lovely change from what i associate her best. I, claudius celebrates the 35th anniversary of its u.
When the magic wore off biography books the guardian. Sian phillips my six best books sian phillips, 80, made her film debut in becket and went on to win a tv bafta for i, claudius as well as olivier award nominations for her west end roles in pal. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Apr 17, 2012 the 1976 bbc production of i, claudius is often cited as the best television miniseries of all time. I, claudius is a 1976 bbc television adaptation of robert gravess i, claudius and claudius the god. At the age of 79, sian phillips is still performing she is soon appearing in cabaret with will young and michelle ryan and still in possession of. Jacobi in a careerdefining role, with sian phillips as the lethal livia, john. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. I, claudius full miniseries 12 episodes on 5 dvds 36. Claudius was the son of general nero claudius drusus and the grandson of livia drusilla, the wife of caesar augustus, who ruled rome as its first emperor from 27 b. Sian phillips my six best books books entertainment. An aging claudius looks back at the bizarre and treacherous times through which hes lived and sets them down in a secret history that is not to be read until after his death.
Augustus brian blessed is emperor and livia sian phillips his scheming, ambitious wife, claudiuss aunt. An epic tale of ambition, debauchery, and intrigue, this emmywinning bbc series is one of the most popular and acclaimed dramas in masterpiece theatre history. The hbobbc version of the classic show will be based on two other books that graves wrote with claudius. The 1976 bbc miniseries i, claudius became a hit despite the. Derek jacobi, brian blessed, john hurt, patrick stewart. The serial i, claudius is one of the best epics on the roman empire one can ever encounter. I, claudius dvd hillsborough county public library. With derek jacobi, john hurt, sian phillips, brian blessed. I, claudius 35th anniversary edition by sian phillips. Claudius was 53 years younger than his greatuncle augustus. Most singleregion dvd players sold in australia play only region 4 dvds or region b2 bluray discs. Based on the novels by robert graves, this epic bbc series spans the history of the roman empire from augustus through claudius, a stuttering scholar who learns early to play the fool and stay alive. There is an interesting bonus feature about the abandoned film epic starring charles lawtonafter watching it its hard to imagine anyone else as claudius. Lots of period drama set around the louche lifestyles and murderous intrigue of generations of roman emperors, they may say, plus a few wellknown faces looking.
But the other casting, sian phillips, john hurt, patrick stewart, all the villains and most of the good guys, words fail me my lords. Why you should be watching the roman saga of i, claudius. The series opens with an elderly claudius penning his memoirs, which tell of. An epic tale of ambition, debauchery, and intrigue, the emmywinning bbc series is one of the most popular and acclaimed dramas in masterpiece theatre history. I, claudius by herbert wise derek jacobi, sian phillips. All four parts of this bbc drama series which told the tales of the roman. I, claudius directed by herbert wise available on vhs, dvd. Phillips was born jane elizabeth ailwen phillips in. I claudius complete bbc series 5 disc box set 1976 dvd by. I claudius complete bbc series 5 disc box set dvd 1976. I, claudius directed by herbert wise available on vhs.
By virtue of his stammer and uncontrollable twitches, claudius passes for a fool, thus escaping the poisonous machinations of livia, all the while recording the comings and goings of. Pbs i, claudius still captivates with its taut drama. Younger readers who dont remember i, claudius, the 1976 tv adaptation of the two robert graves novels, i, claudius and claudius the god, may wonder what all the fuss was about. In case something is wrong or missing please leave a comment below and we will fix it right away. Written by jack pulman, it starred derek jacobi as claudius, with sian phillips, brian blessed, george. Patrick stewart with hair as evil henchman sejanus, and sian phillips as the murderous matriarch livia a name. The distinguished cast of i, claudius includes john hurt as caligula, brian blessed as augustus, sian phillips.
In 1934, english poet and historian robert graves electrified the literary world with his novel i, claudius, which along with its 1935 sequel claudius the god told the story of nearly 100 years of the roman empire through the eyes of the fourth emperor, claudiusa limping, stammering, grossly underestimated idealist. In real life, derek jacobi is two years younger than brian blessed. It was so badly received in its first two weeks, recalled sian phillips, who. The series features some terrific actors such as john hurt as caligula, patrick stewart as sejanus. Rated one of the 100 best tv shows of all time by time magazine, this epic bbc series spans the history of the roman empire from augustus through claudius, a stuttering scholar who learns early to play the fool and stay alive. Chips, moved in with a handsome actor 18 years her junior and emerged, splashily, from behind the arras in pbs i, claudius as the empress.
This renowned 1976 miniseries based on the books i, claudius and claudius the god by robert graves follows the history of the roman empire, from the latter reign of augustus starting around 2423 b. The 12part epic of power, deception, and debauchery among ancient romes imperial family finds the beloved augustus brian blessed seeking a worthy heir as the scheming livia sian philips positions her son tiberius george baker to rule as her puppet. Written by jack pulman, note 1 it starred derek jacobi as claudius, with sian phillips, brian blessed, george baker, margaret tyzack, john hurt, patricia quinn, ian ogilvy, kevin mcnally, patrick stewart, and john rhysdavies. I managed to miss it the first time around, but after viewing the series in the new 35th. Born may 14, 1934, in bettws, carmarthenshire, wales. I, claudius is a historical novel by english writer robert graves, first published in 1934. The most memorable performance in i, claudius is sian phillips livia. Herbert wise, david robb, sian phillips, derek jacobi, brian blessed, john hurt. The series covers the history of the early roman empire, told from the. Join facebook to connect with claudius philips and others you may know. Her broad range of roles went from endearing to downright deadly. Sian phillips has spoken about her initial struggle to perform the character of livia, because she focused more on making the character sympathetic and justifying. Items like this one may require a regionspecific or multiregion dvd player and compatible tv.
Even brian blessed as augustus makes sense in a way. Namely, poisoning lots of roman men with english accents and seventies hair in order to clear a path to the imperial throne for her ungrateful son in the 1976 tv series i, claudius. Written by jack pulman, it starred derek jacobi as claudius, with sian phillips, brian blessed, george baker, margaret tyzack, john hurt, patricia quinn, ian ogilvy, kevin mcnally, patrick stewart, and john rhysdavies. Based on the novels by robert graves, spanning the history of the roman empire from augustus to nero.
A touch of murder, waiting in the wings, what shall we do about claudius. Phillips was appointed commander of the order of the british empire cbe in the 2000 birthday honours and dame commander of the order of the british empire dbe in the 2016 new year honours for services to drama. In a new and occasional series, rewind will look back at a television show or film that has proven to resonate. It is a mesmerizing text detailing the reigns of augustus, tiberius and caligula. Derek jacobi plays the title role in this bbc adaptation of robert graves historical novel. Although it is based on the novel by robert graves, the director. It was curtains for husband peter otoole before sian. But her entire mien in i, claudius is stretched quite taut. The i, claudius novels are two books published in 1934 and 1935, respectively, both written by the english 20th century writer robert graves, but in the form of an autobiography of the roman emperor claudius who ruled the roman empire from 41 to 54 ad the first book, titled i, claudius, chronicles the history of the julioclaudian dynasty and the roman empire, from the murder of julius.
It starred derek jacobi as claudius, with sian phillips, brian blessed, john hurt, and patrick stewart. That was before sian phillips said goodbye to her mr. Robert graves classic i, claudius is a masterpiece of historical fiction about the stuttering, lame unlikely emperor claudius ending just as he mounts the imperial throne one must read claudius the god and his wife messalina for the rest high on my tbr now. Other cast members included sian phillips, brian blessed, john hurt and patrick stewart. And, of course, derek jacobis claudius is so sympathetic you will never again be able to read a classical roman historians description of him without bristling and wanting to come to his defense. Jul 28, 2001 sian phillips loved peter otoole to distraction but there was only room for one famous actor in that turbulent marriage. Among other points, i love the way that sian phillips and brian blessed do such an excellent job playing a married couple you feel you know.
Claudius wrote a history of rome that does not survive, but novelist and poet robert graves 18951985 imagined what claudius reported and presented it in two books. Based on the books by robert graves, the episodes followed the history of rome, narrated by the elderly claudius, from the death of marcellus in the first episode to claudiuss own death in the last. I, claudius follows the history of rome, narrated by the elderly claudius, from the death of marcellus, nephew and soninlaw of augustus, in the first episode to claudius own death in the last. The autobiography first edition by phillips, sian isbn.
Livia drusilla my dear livia, my favourite character of i, claudius, oh how i do enjoy her machinations, and sian phillips plays the role of villainess to perfection. I, claudius tv series wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. Rated one of the 100 best tv shows of all time by time magazine, this epic bbc series spans the history of the roman empire from augustus through claudius. Based on the novels by robert graves, spanning the history of the roman empire from augustus to nero, it stars derek jacobi in a careerdefining role, with sian phillips as the lethal livia. Similarly, caligula was 22 years younger than his uncle and successor claudius. Based on the novels by robert graves, it stars derek jacobi the kings. Augustus brian blessed is emperor and livia sian phillips his scheming, ambitious wife, claudius s aunt. Dec 24, 2017 it makes a lovely change from what i associate her best. Home entertainment why you should be watching the roman saga of i, claudius set in antiquity, this is a soap opera on a grand scale, featuring murder, madness, incest and betrayal books.
187 820 479 976 936 1519 910 1071 1511 292 1155 435 1562 1564 1353 216 527 270 1326 615 314 1413 528 1361 966 1350 794 431