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

User Rating:

9.3/10   

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)

(more)

Series Directed by
Herbert Wise		(7 episodes, 1976)

Series Writing credits
Robert Graves		(12 episodes, 1976)
Jack Pulman		(12 episodes, 1976)

Series Produced by
Martin Lisemore	....	producer (5 episodes, 1976)

Series Original Music by
Harry Rabinowitz		(unknown episodes)

Series Production Design by
Tim Harvey		(3 episodes, 1976)

Series Costume Design by
Barbara Kronig		(3 episodes, 1976)

Series Makeup Department
Sue Bide	....	makeup artist (12 episodes, 1976)
Norma Hill-Patton	....	makeup artist (12 episodes, 1976)
Pam Meager	....	makeup artist (3 episodes, 1976)

Series Production Management
Denis Curran	....	unit production manager (3 episodes, 1976)

Series Sound Department
Chick Anthony	....	sound mixer (3 episodes, 1976)

Series Special Effects by
John Friedlander	....	special effects designer (unknown episodes)

Series Visual Effects by
John Friedlander	....	visual effects designer (1 episode, 1976)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
John Green	....	lighting technician (3 episodes, 1976)
Peter Hider	....	assistant camera (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Dave Hillier	....	editor: video tape (1 episode, 1976)

Series Music Department
Clerkes of Oxenford	....	choral ensemble (unknown episodes)
Wilfred Josephs	....	composer: title music (unknown episodes)
David Wulstan	....	conductor: choral music (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
John Harris	....	production assistant (3 episodes, 1976)
Betty Willingale	....	script editor (3 episodes, 1976)
Carol Wiseman	....	production assistant (3 episodes, 1976)
Denis Curran	....	production unit manager (unknown episodes)
Robert Erskine	....	advisor (unknown episodes)
Geraldine Stephenson	....	choreographer (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
• London Film Productions (in association with)

Distributors

• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• Atlantic Film (2005) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Epix Media (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• Future Film (2005) (Finland) (DVD)
• Image Entertainment (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• Masterpiece Theatre
• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

Other Companies

• Gerry Blattner Productions  produced by arrangement with

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:

According to his memoirs, Ronnie Barker was originally offered the role of Claudius.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Marcus Agrippa is shown as being much older than Augustus, even though historically they were the same age.

Quotes:

[to Antonia]
Young Caligula: Evil German woman. I'll burn your German house down.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Tru Calling: Two Pair (#1.16)" (2004)

The standard by which all TV should be judged

The best miniseries ever made! Smart and sexy, with characters that live and breathe. Just some of the most marvelous characters include Brian Blessed as the benevolent Augustus, George Baker as the wounded Tiberius, and Siân Phillips as Livia. Includes one of John Hurt's finest performances, and I'd go into Derek Jacobi as Claudius, but they say I have to keep it below 1,000 words. The Canadian channel Bravo runs it occasionally, or try renting it from Blockbuster, but I recommend shelling out for the entire collection on video!