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

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)

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:

Ray Brooks turned down a key role

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Augustus throws Postumus against a wall, you can see the wall wobble.

Quotes:

[about Augustus]
Tiberius: Are you drinking because he nearly died or because he didn't?
Livia: Sarcastic aren't we this morning?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Strength and Honor: Creating the World of 'Gladiator' (2005) (V)

Under rated actors doing Oscar caliber performances

Absolutely glorious series. All the actors in this series are in or have been in American films but they have always been underrated and are some of the best actors alive. There are more dames and knights than you can believe. Derek Jacobi is breathtaking in his performance. Sian Phillips is subtly evil. John Hurt as Caligula shines with madness. The sets are unbelievable considering the small budget they had. The most shocking thing is that everything in one sense or another is true. These people really did die these ways. It will take you completely out of your everyday life and deposit you in the world of the Romans.