Rupert Grave's best selling novel, I, Claudius, is a triumph in its own right, but the 1976 BBC adaptation more than lives up to its source material. The story, for those not familiar, is an account by one of the less-glamorous members of the Caesarian family, Claudius, of his family history during and afterAugustus's legendary rule over Rome. It is a complex tail of poison, secrecy, poison, assassination, marriage pacts, wars, and did I say poisoning?
The show features a veritable who's who of famous British actors including Brian Blessed (Augustus), Sir Patrick Stewart (Sejanus), John Rhys-Davies (Macro), and John Hurt as the infamously slimy Caligula. Upon release, I, Claudius, was met with a shower of awards and praise. Among these were BAFTAs for Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director. In 2007 Time magazine listed it as "One of the 100 Best TV Shows of All TIME".
Definitely check this one out. Every episode from the first season is on youtube now, so it doesn't even require a streaming device. I, Claudius will give you a new appreciation for classic TV at its best, and you'll get to see some living legends early in their careers.
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