I, Claudius

Synopsis

A television adaptation of two epic books by Robert Graves ("I, Claudius" and "Claudius the God"), originally broadcast in 12 parts on BBC Television in 1976 (the first part was a double-length episode). The story of the power struggles, debauchery, and ruthlessness in ancient Rome is told by Claudius, thought of as the stammering fool of the family, but one whom destiny will choose as an emperor of the Roman Empire. The epic story spans the analogues of Roman history, from the mighty Augustus through to the madness of Caligula. The production starred Derek Jacobi as Claudius, Brian Blessed as Augustus, Siân Phillips as Livia, George Baker as Tiberius, and John Hurt as the utterly mad Caligula. Other cast members included Patrick Stewart, as Tiberius’ right-hand man Sejanus, Stratford Johns, and Bernard Hill.

The VHS version (on 4 videocassettes sold as 2 packs, or all together in a boxed set) has been available for sale since 1991, but the DVD (on 5 discs) was released at the end of September 2002. The DVD includes the television documentary THE EPIC THAT NEVER WAS, about Alexander Korda’s abortive attempt to film the story in 1937 with Merle Oberon and Charles Laughton; I CLAUDIUS - A TELEVISION EPIC (a documentary on the television production); footage not included in the televison screening.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Year of release

1991/2002

Year of production

1976

Subjects

Classical studies; Media studies

Keywords

Roman Empire - drama; television drama

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 2 PAL

Price

£44.99

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

740 minutes

Year

2002

Type

VHS

Price

£33.99

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

648 minutes

Year

2002

Sections

Title

I, Claudius (12 parts)

Duration

648 mins

Title

The epic that never was

Synopsis

A documentary about Alexander Korda’s attempt to produce a film of Robert Graves’ book I CLAUDIUS in 1937, starring Merle Oberon, Charles Laughton and Emlyn Williams. Several scenes were shot but it was never completed. Presented by Dirk Bogarde, the documentary includes extracts and stills from the production. Shown on BBC television on 24 December, 1965 and available now only on DVD as an extra with the BBC production of I CLAUDIUS.

Duration

70 mins

Production Company

Name

BBC Television

Name

London Films

Distributor

Name

BBC Worldwide Publishing

Web

http://www.bbcworldwide.com External site opens in new window

Phone

020 8576 3560

Fax

020 8576 3570

Address

80 Wood Lane
London
W12 0TT

Notes

Since Spring 2005, for home video releases see BBC, 2 Entertain Video

 

Available from retail outlets