TV Gold

Our epic story starts quietly enough as we approach an elderly Claudius sitting at a desk, pen and paper in front of him. He takes a moment to ponder the epic story in his mind before beginning to transcribe his memories. I certainly found it quite a sudden jolt to switch from this silent scene to watching scantily clad African dancers moving in time to a pounding drumbeat. This is just part of the entertainment laid on for the assembled seated audience. I was struck by how young Brian Blessed appeared in this scene as Augustus as does Sian Phillips as Livia. Whilst Augustus portrays the same mix of easy going jovial but occasionally forceful and dominant aspect to his personality (a typical strong and popular Roman leader) I personally found Livia rather restrained at this point of the overall saga. I can only conject that the events chronicled in <span style='color:green'>?A Touch of Murder? </span> were fairly early in the couples marriage. Although there are brief glimpses on offer here of the forceful persona we get to see later in the episodes. A good example of this is when there is civil unrest amongst their subjects. Livia, standing up to the torch carrying crowds at the city gates who gather calling for a republic, attempts to forcefully disperse the assembled masses in the manner of a ruling monarch. Personally I don?t find this a particularly strong opening episode, maybe due in part to it being stretched from a regular 50mins to about 98mins resulting in what I feel is a good deal of padding in its content. That is not to say that it is not totally without merit. There are indeed a few aspects of this opening instalment worth noting. I?m a great fan of Brian Blessed?s distinctive style of forceful acting with memorable Cult TV roles including ?Blake?s Seven?, ?Doctor Who?, ?Survivors? (Bron in ?Law of the Jungle?) and here in ?I, Claudius?. In this first episode he gains a few excellent scenes which play into his distinctive ?booming? acting style. He plays an important part in the three handed scene where Augustus expresses his anger about Tiberius seeing Julia in secret. This is paced beautifully further benefiting from Augustus reaction to Livia?s revelation that she also has her own secrets. Blessed later excels when Augustus has to deal with fending off granting Julia?s pleas for a quick divorce. I, Claudius is another classic period drama which affords us another opportunity for surprise guest cast appearances. We kick off with the young and handsome Ian Oglvey (two years before his starring role in the rather jazzy ?Return of the Saint? series) here first seen as Claudius father Drusus exercising in the gym with his good friend, George Baker?s Tiberius character. It?s a fairly short lived appearance as his character as a Roman solider dies from horrific injuries whilst on service just moments before seeing the baby son brought before him. Lastly on <span style='color:green'>?A Touch of Murder?</span> I am intrigued by the board game that Augustus and the young boys Leisus and Gaius are playing at the start of DVD chapter eight, I wonder what it is?

I found the second episode, <span style='color:green'>?Waiting in the Wings?</span> is a much stronger, tighter, more enjoyable instalment which excels over its predecessor in many ways. Top of the list is Livia who appears here much in a much more distinguished, scheming way clearly relishing her powerful position over others. No more so is this indicated is in her scenes with the initially nervous Plautus (played by Darien Angadi whom is probably best remembered as Ro in the Blake?s Seven episode ?Horizon?). This episode presents us with a memorable scene featuring Roman children beginning with Pina?s exclamation to her mother that she?d been covered in sand by a playful Germanicus, puzzling because as far as I can see Pina is clearly bereft of any sand! Next noteworthy event is, in the midst of the group of children, we find young Claudius played convincingly by Ashley Neight (complete with the twitching and stammering so typical of the character). As they watch the skies to observe two eagles fighting it is Claudius who catches the object of their conflict, a bloody wolf cub, something that visiting mystic Gnaeus Domitius quickly reads as a powerful sign of the young boy?s future. It is important to note that, in the context of the series, that this episode introduces Claudius firm friend Herod. First seen during DVD chapter four child actor Michael Clements delivers his lines, I thought, in a very ?school production type? nature which for me, hardly seemed that natural. ?Waiting in the Wings? is further distinguished with the classic scene where Augustus faces many men brought before him accused of sleeping with daughter (in DVD chapter 5). Lastly worth mentioning is the towering acting presence of Roy Stewart (?Toberman? in Doctor Who?s ?Tomb of the Cybermen? story) putting in a brief appearance and is the most notable guest star of a highly enjoyable segment of ?I, Claudius?.

Last up this week, I found the third episode <span style='color:green'>?What Shall We Do With Claudius??</span> a slightly more restrained piece although there are aspects of it which I feel are worth noting. Top of the list would be the great scene where Claudius takes his place in the Royal Box to watch the gladiatorial games. Having initially sat in the wrong seat (that of Augustus) he makes his clumsy way towards his less prominent position behind his less than patient mother who sneers at him that his nose is running. As the young man sits down he is immediately offered hankies from either side of his position. To his left James Faulkner now replaces Michael Clements to portray a more at ease relaxed Herod. Later as the games are underway it?s amusing to see Claudius pained expression lead eventually to his passing out which conveys well the gruesome spectacle to which the crowd are watching. Livia also has a strong scene when addressing the Gladiators prior to their arena appearance where she spells out precisely what she expects of them. Lastly I felt it worth mentioning the brief cameo appearance of Denis Carey as writer Livy, talking briefly with Claudius in the library.

Ah well, on towards next week with episodes 4, 5 & 6?

<!--QuoteBegin-Sarah Tarrant+Jul 14 2005, 04:47 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sarah Tarrant @ Jul 14 2005, 04:47 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Personally I don?t find this a particularly strong opening episode, maybe due in part to it being stretched from a regular 50mins to about 98mins resulting in what I feel is a good deal of padding in its content.  ...  We kick off with the young and handsome Ian Oglvey (two years before his starring role in the rather jazzy ?Return of the Saint? series) here first seen as Claudius father Drusus exercising in the gym with his good friend, George Baker?s Tiberius character.  <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

On the US DVD release (and as the series was broadcast in the U.S.), these are two separate 50 minute episodes: A Touch of Murder and Family Affairs. See <a href='http://www.anselm.edu/internet/classics/I,CLAUDIUS/information.html' target='_blank'>The I, Claudius Project</a> for summary information.

I adore this series and will be back to chat about it when I have a bit more time. Hail, Caesar!

<!--QuoteBegin-TrentinaNE+Jul 20 2005, 01:31 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TrentinaNE @ Jul 20 2005, 01:31 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->On the US DVD release (and as the series was broadcast in the U.S.), these are two separate 50 minute episodes:  A Touch of Murder and Family Affairs.  See <a href='http://www.anselm.edu/internet/classics/I,CLAUDIUS/information.html' target='_blank'>The I, Claudius Project</a> for summary information.

I adore this series and will be back to chat about it when I have a bit more time.  Hail, Caesar!
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Delighted that this series is such a winner with you and I'm glad that I decided to initially raise it here at TV Gold this month!

<!--QuoteBegin-TrentinaNE+Jul 20 2005, 01:31 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TrentinaNE @ Jul 20 2005, 01:31 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->On the US DVD release (and as the series was broadcast in the U.S.), these are two separate 50 minute episodes:  A Touch of Murder and Family Affairs.  See <a href='http://www.anselm.edu/internet/classics/I,CLAUDIUS/information.html' target='_blank'>The I, Claudius Project</a> for summary information.

I adore this series and will be back to chat about it when I have a bit more time.  Hail, Caesar!
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Just had a chance to look at the site you mentioned. I am very impressed with the well researched details there backed with a good design and welcome screen captures. Jack Pulman would indeed be so proud that his scripts have generated such interest. <!--emo&B)-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif[/img]<!--endemo-->