Rome TV Series

Truly epic in scope and vision,TV serial "Rome" is modern-day descendant of classic BBC "I,Claudius" - but where brits had only basic,made-for-TV scenography and several plants moved from left to right,today's audiences have much bigger expectations so naturally everything was made on much bigger,grander scale reminiscent of classic Hollywood movies like "Ben Hur" or "Cleopatra". Still,to avoid glamorous and unrealistic view of ancient Rome,real history consultant was brought in to make sure things are close to reality - this Rome is crowded,smelly,occasionally dirty and surprisingly memorable,full of delightful little details that show how much care was taken in production.

The story is excellent - following prominent politicians,true historical figures and roman aristocracy in cruel fight for power - Caesar is here,together with Brutus,Marc Anthony and the whole gang but the best of all was inclusion of two characters by names of Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, two soldiers who somehow got involved with every main wist and turn of the plot and reflect lives of real,everyday citizens of Rome as opposed to privileged aristocrats,senators and movers & shakers. It is very interesting that these particular names were used,because they came down to us directly from Caesar's memoirs - he usually never mentioned anybody from lower classes except these two soldiers who were big competition on battlefields and surprisingly saved each other's lives in battles - Caesar adored them and saw in them real spirit of true Roman soldier. It actually reflects in script because at the beginning we see Vorenus and Pullo as two very unlikely buddies who somehow got very close and at the end they are real brothers in spirit,really loving each other and realizing they only have each other in the whole world.

Acting is breath-taking. While initially I didn't care for Vorenus clench-teeth anger,cleverly towards the end he mellows enough to actually accept his life and fate,while Pullo has memorable combination of sensitivity and brutality that made him true hero of the serial. Caesar is dignified and cunning,Marc Anthony swashbuckling soldier,Brutus tortured soul who swings between his loyalty to Caesar and his own family tradition,Octavian calm,composed and logical (played by two different actors in his childhood and later life) but it is Roman ladies who are main excitement of the story. Their intriguing and plotting is real meat here - ruthless Attia and her main opponent Servilia are opposite sides of power games in ancient Rome,while numerous lesser characters add to the spice. We even get to see Cleopatra and she is presented in a very unusual way,not as a scheming prostitute roman historians always painted her but as a fierce queen determined to keep the throne and preserve her power through alliances with powerful men,which actually sounds very believable - even her end looks very realistic and clever (initially accepting Octavian's victory,she kills herself only after it became obvious he will humiliate her as a trophy in his triumphal procession). We even get a nod to "I,Claudius" in a presence of a very young future queen Livia who is hiding steel determination behind her sweet youthful facade.

I heard that the serial was heavily edited in US because of squeamish audience - true,there is a lot of brutality,fighting,blood and occasional nudity but I was so deeply absorbed in the story that everything made a perfect sense to me,after all we are talking about the world before christianity and morals were different than. If nothing,I was impressed with actors who were so great that they didn't blink when the script called for them to undress - when Roman matron (for example) was dragged out of her carriage and left on the street beaten up and naked,we don't think of the actress,we are excited about twists and turns of the story. DVD box set have excellent bonus material that includes "All roads lead to Rome" prepared by historical consultant,which is a treat in itself,I enjoyed those explanations almost as much as TV serial itself.

Magnificent and exciting story, "Rome" could go on for several more seasons,since originally authors were planning to expand the story into Egypt and rise of Messiah in Palestine,unfortunately it ended where it ended (and we do have feeling that last episode was rushed) but I watched it twice so far and enjoyed very much. If you ask me,I would love this to go on forever.