Sian Phillips had a lot of those punchy one-liners. But that scene with Martina is also my favorite for her. You can even see that she's enjoying it. Love it when great acting and writing come together.
The greatest television drama series ever, which only goes to show how a "cardboard" studio setting matters little when a great script, wonderful direction and superb acting carry the day. Yes, it's even better than Brideshead Revisted with Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews (and that's saying something).
@@itsdebs Brideshead was indeed a masterpiece, and I adore it! I must have watched it a good 15 times. I love hearing English spoken beautifully. I'd love to speak English like that. Alas, it's not my native language. But I can dream! Take care.
Check out BBC/HBO Rome, Le Bureau des légendes and Der Tatortreiniger (Crime Scene Cleaner) as examples of brialliantly written and acte, modern programs.
@@theresagwhite3175 yes .MM is absolutely brilliant in it. The Spanish Infanta can't wait to get in the sack and Edmund wants none of it . their interpreter is in bed with them. one of the funniest BA IMO
I cannot begin to praise this series. It's still legendary in the Netherlands. Everybody who saw it then, remembers it fondly. One of those rare occasions where writing, acting, directing all came together brilliantly. And the way the shots are framed in between the moving camera. Children at school were immitating Claudius' tics and stutter. and it's not really a series suitable for children!
@@Mango62uk Yes, I don't think we actually got to watch the series, maybe just the previews? I'm not sure. I watched the whole thing a few times since, as an adult of course.
@@friendlyghost6564 If you liked I Claudius, you MUST watch "Rome". It's a lot more adult and plays with history, but the best ever at evoking real Roman life. You'll love it!
sure history didn't. claudius was a mentally challenged man. if you care to read a book about it you will learn how he was manipulated by herod (yep that one) that was living in rome at the time. in fact you will learn that nero wasn t half bad as they "the Christians" want you to believe. history has been written by the people in power
What a series. From the quality of the acting, direction, costumes, set design, make up - you mention it, there has never been a series like it. I find Brian Blessed's Augustus hard to watch as he's so convincing as a father who's daughter has slept with so many. Derek Jacoby is a marvel and so are all the others. We'll never get to see anything on this level from the BBC again.
It’s such a marvellous TV series I’ve read the books and watched the drama series several times and it always seems fresh and special its just shows what a excellent script and quality acting can deliver…. Memorable tv
How on Earth did Brian Blessed not blink or twitch his eyelids in his death scene. There was no camera 'trickery'. I wonder if they had to do multiple takes before they got it right.
The scene that has never left my mind, is Sejanus being murdered in his cell. No chance to defend himself, just really unfair, then again........there`s was a lot of those scenes in I Claudius. TV......like only The Brits can make it......❤
Actually, most historians believe that never happened and Augustus died by his diarrhoe illness and his high age. That he was killed by Livia was a rumor that spread trough the plebs, as many other things for example that she was responsible for the deaths of Marcellus, Agrippa, Gaius and Lucius. She probably had nothing to do with that.
So, was Claudius as presented in this mini series, or in spite of being a much better emperor than the insanely murderous Caligula, was also fond of watching executions and gladiators killing each other in the arena, as some of his contemporaries wrote about him ?
It's what makes (the study of) history so great and so terrible at the same time; you construct a point of view based on disparate (primary) sources. So especially when it comes to the judgment of the conduct of political actors, there is never really a definitive answer. That being said, the brilliant work by Robert Graves this series is based on is _fiction_ first and foremost. Whilst deeply rooted in the same contemporary source material the non-fictional historiography draws upon, this fiction takes the form of an autobiography written by Claudius. Given that he is the one who constructs the point of view, I think it's fair the 'reality' of his conduct would be less admirable than depicted. I'm sorry I didn't intend for this comment to go this long I'm high
Brian Blessed was a great actor. One of the best series ever made.
Without doubt one of the greatest TV series ever made in every way.
Sian Phillips had a lot of those punchy one-liners. But that scene with Martina is also my favorite for her. You can even see that she's enjoying it. Love it when great acting and writing come together.
Nursey!!! Black Adder!
The greatest television drama series ever, which only goes to show how a "cardboard" studio setting matters little when a great script, wonderful direction and superb acting carry the day. Yes, it's even better than Brideshead Revisted with Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews (and that's saying something).
A bit late, but I totally agree… and Bridehead was a masterpiece…
@@itsdebs Brideshead was indeed a masterpiece, and I adore it! I must have watched it a good 15 times. I love hearing English spoken beautifully. I'd love to speak English like that. Alas, it's not my native language. But I can dream! Take care.
@@SvetlanaVladimirova8590 awwww! We could so be friends!
I laughed really hard while watching that "Tiberius just being Tiberius" cut, that character is absurdly well written and played.
I want to thank the cast, crew and writers of this beyond marvelous show.
Best tv show ever!
Thank you for years and years of joy watching it.❤️🙏
Nursie and Reverend Mother Mohiam chitchatting about their murderous prowess is my favourite
Such great actors and writing for such a fascinating period in history. Such a crying shame we don't get film and tv like this anymore
Check out BBC/HBO Rome, Le Bureau des légendes and Der Tatortreiniger (Crime Scene Cleaner) as examples of brialliantly written and acte, modern programs.
The "woke moralists" wouldn't allow it.
@@NJTDover O ffs, shut up you whack job.
@@NJTDover your comment makes no sense. Is this some weird attempt to smuggle dumb-ass right wing US politics into a discussion of quality drama?
@@NJTDoveris that all you can offer!
I have to confess I do not have a favorite scene……. I have a favorite tv series, it’s all favorite scenes. Love to you all and thank you.
I did not even remember Nursey from Blackadder was in I, Claudius. Got to rewatch this masterpiece.
Martina was also Nursie in Blackadder the second
No Nursie in Blackadder was played by Miriam Margolyes... but both actresses do look similar
Martina did play nursie not MM. MM was in one episode as the Spanish Infanta
@@stevenleroux7033 was that the Blackadder episode when Edmund sends Percy or Baldrick to take his place during the wedding night?
@@theresagwhite3175 yes .MM is absolutely brilliant in it. The Spanish Infanta can't wait to get in the sack and Edmund wants none of it . their interpreter is in bed with them. one of the funniest BA IMO
@@stevenleroux7033 my favourite was 'Beer' in season 2. Edmunds puritan uncle and aunt come to dinner
I love hearing the actors revealing what they thought about the scenes, and what the liked. I wish I would have known this when I was a toddler.
I cannot begin to praise this series. It's still legendary in the Netherlands. Everybody who saw it then, remembers it fondly. One of those rare occasions where writing, acting, directing all came together brilliantly. And the way the shots are framed in between the moving camera. Children at school were immitating Claudius' tics and stutter. and it's not really a series suitable for children!
Amazed to learn that schoolkids were watching I, Claudius.
@@Mango62uk Yes, I don't think we actually got to watch the series, maybe just the previews? I'm not sure. I watched the whole thing a few times since, as an adult of course.
@@friendlyghost6564 If you liked I Claudius, you MUST watch "Rome". It's a lot more adult and plays with history, but the best ever at evoking real Roman life. You'll love it!
sure history didn't. claudius was a mentally challenged man. if you care to read a book about it you will learn how he was manipulated by herod (yep that one) that was living in rome at the time. in fact you will learn that nero wasn t half bad as they "the Christians" want you to believe. history has been written by the people in power
What a series. From the quality of the acting, direction, costumes, set design, make up - you mention it, there has never been a series like it. I find Brian Blessed's Augustus hard to watch as he's so convincing as a father who's daughter has slept with so many. Derek Jacoby is a marvel and so are all the others. We'll never get to see anything on this level from the BBC again.
It’s such a marvellous TV series I’ve read the books and watched the drama series several times and it always seems fresh and special its just shows what a excellent script and quality acting can deliver…. Memorable tv
Pure art.
Love love this Classic Drama Series !!!! Everything about it is magnificent !!!!!
I wish all the actors of today were at a high level like this amazing series! ♥ ️👑
Nobody dared create a remake. Quite surprising given that other great series and films are constantly reimagined.
RIP John Hurt
My favourite series of all time ❤ “Isn’t it obvious?”….. 👀
How on Earth did Brian Blessed not blink or twitch his eyelids in his death scene. There was no camera 'trickery'. I wonder if they had to do multiple takes before they got it right.
Indeed! Also, I have never seen him be so quiet in any scene.
Note to self: Never get into a staring contest with Brian Blessed
😄@@thadtuiol1717
The scene that has never left my mind, is Sejanus being murdered in his cell. No chance to defend himself, just really unfair, then again........there`s was a lot of those scenes in I Claudius. TV......like only The Brits can make it......❤
My own personal favourite scene was the death of Augustus, it was so realistic it was creepy.
I still can’t work out how he didn’t blink that whole time. That is one part I’d love to get the background on.
"Go in peace. I was thinking of killing you, but I changed my mind." 😂
Amazing that they were both in Alien, and how many amazing actors were in that movie.
Who from this besides John Hurt was in Alien?
11:20 When Captain Picard still had hair..
No. It was a wig. He went bald at 19.
It's got elephants drawn all over it.... Tiberius Claudius Caesar Doodlicus!
The acting was stellar and the script must have been an actor's dream. But the make up was definitely stuck in the 70s.
foundation like wall spackle [shudders].
Wow! It's nursie from Backadder II. I don't remember her being in this
Dying as your wife nags and berates you. Augustus, the savior of Rome did not deserve that
Actually, most historians believe that never happened and Augustus died by his diarrhoe illness and his high age. That he was killed by Livia was a rumor that spread trough the plebs, as many other things for example that she was responsible for the deaths of Marcellus, Agrippa, Gaius and Lucius. She probably had nothing to do with that.
A superb scene.
Indeed.
So, was Claudius as presented in this mini series, or in spite of being a much better emperor than the insanely murderous Caligula, was also fond of watching executions and gladiators killing each other in the arena, as some of his contemporaries wrote about him ?
It's what makes (the study of) history so great and so terrible at the same time; you construct a point of view based on disparate (primary) sources. So especially when it comes to the judgment of the conduct of political actors, there is never really a definitive answer.
That being said, the brilliant work by Robert Graves this series is based on is _fiction_ first and foremost. Whilst deeply rooted in the same contemporary source material the non-fictional historiography draws upon, this fiction takes the form of an autobiography written by Claudius. Given that he is the one who constructs the point of view, I think it's fair the 'reality' of his conduct would be less admirable than depicted.
I'm sorry I didn't intend for this comment to go this long I'm high
And then an alien xenomorph explodes out his chest. Metamophosis,,indeed
the scene where they find claudius in the closet and make him ceaserwas very strong.John Hart played mad awsome
The problem is that we know how they looked like. Augustus was very thin person, unlike his actor.
Yes it’s a fictionalised account!
These days at 19:36, she would have said "or a pretty house boy".
Julia suggests that for Tiberius when they’re having their big fight.
Julia is for the streets
I wonder if you’d say that if she was a man?