RE: Rome series 2 BBC 2 thread

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RE: Rome series 2 BBC 2 thread - 24/7/2007 9:53:19 PM

Achtung Englander

Posts: 895
Joined: 6/12/2005

that I would skip

if you are interested in all things Roman I can suggest the books by

Allan Massie - a series of fiction books on the Julii family. Utterly fantastic books - just like Rome. Try reading it in chronological order - Ceasar, Augustus,Antony, Tiberius, Caligula, Nero's Heirs
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/026-1499034-8647637?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=allan+massie&Go.x=0&Go.y=0

Conn Iggulden - a series of fiction books on Julius Caesar. Personally I found this was poorer than Rome and Massie books but worth a dabble if you prefer to read about Julius Ceasar
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-3921991-9745443?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=emperor&Go.x=0&Go.y=0

Simon Scarrow - a series of fiction books on the conquest of Britain seen through the eyes of 2 centurians - basically Rome's Pullo and Vorenus. Just started this - really enjoying it as it reads exactly like Rome. It includes the Romanian general who conquered Britain - Vespasian - who succeded Nero as Emperor during the year when Rome had 4 emporers in a power struggle.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-3921991-9745443?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=scarrow&Go.x=0&Go.y=0

Basically if you like court politics - Massie. If you like Rome gritty style - Scarrow

(in reply to Shaunette_ofthe_Dead)

Post #: 151

RE: Rome series 2 BBC 2 thread - 25/7/2007 12:12:10 AM

Rgirvan44

Posts: 18934
Joined: 10/3/2006
From: Punishment Park

I have to say Octavian gets a raw deal from the characters on this show, being called a 'monster' and having a 'rotton soul'. If you think about it, he has about the least amount of blood on his hands and if everyone had just listened to him none of what did happen would have. Atia hates him for becoming the head of the family she was always looking for, Octavia seduces and sleeps with her brother for information and acts high and mighty around him. No wonder he is so cold and remote, but he is far from the most inhumane - all he does is ruin his families plotting.

And sorry Cleo but you killed your own brother - way to judge on other people.

Also I liked that they hired a child who quite obviously looked like Cirian Hinds to play Ceaersion - puts into doubt if Pullo really is the father, not that it matters of course, just a nice piece of casting.

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Post #: 152

RE: Rome series 2 BBC 2 thread - 26/7/2007 12:48:44 AM

superfurry

Posts: 37
Joined: 30/9/2005

quote:

ORIGINAL: Achtung Englander

remember Octavia's little girl Antonia - well she had a son - Germanicus - who was in line to take the throne after Octavian / Augustus because he had no direct lines of his own. Livia got rid of him and 2 of his nephews to clear the path for Tiberius (her son from her first marriage) who didn't even want the job !

That's not quite how it went but it seems a few people are going to buy I, Claudius so I guess they'll find that out for themselves.

They havn't really given themselves the chance to do a 3rd series here though as there are too many characters missing. Octavia had a previous husband Gaius Marcellus, who gave her a son Marcellus who became Augustus' intended heir and rival to Agrippa. They also missed Octavian's previous marriage to Scribonia which gave him his daughter Julia who produced his grandchildren by Agrippa. There was also no Drusus who was Livia's second son from her first marriage. He went on to marry Antonia the younger(Antony and Octavia had two daughters called Antonia) and their children were Germanicus, Livilla and Claudius.

I found Atia's rant at Livia blasphemous as the character of Atia in this is clearly a rip-off of I, Claudius' Livia, except Livia was considerably smarter. I would have liked them to include when the Senate voted Octavian the title of Augustus as a way to round it off. The ending seemed a touch lame to me.

I think I preferred the first season overall as I think Ciaran Hinds' Caesar was a better leading character than anyone in this season. Credit to James Purefoy though as he was also thrilling to watch. What did people think of his Goodfellas moment? I enjoyed Simon Woods' portrayal of Octavian more than Max Pirkis'. I didn't really understand why so many people liked the younger Octavian.

For those looking to watch I, Claudius I can't recommend it enough. Bear in mind it is over 30 years old and so the production values are not a patch on Rome's, but it's a lot more historically accurate, and has a superior script and cast. Sian Phillips, Derek Jacobi, Brian Blessed, and George Baker all give wonderful performances, but it is really John Hurt's superb Caligula that impresses most. Which is why he's on my avatar.

Hope you enjoy it, people.

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Post #: 153

RE: Rome series 2 BBC 2 thread - 26/7/2007 8:45:45 AM

elab49

Posts: 52031
Joined: 1/10/2005

I think I Claudius' Livia referred to her mother-in-law in terms not unlike herself, so I'd dispute the rip-off claim for that one. If Livia found someone else a bit of a trial, she had to be pretty special!

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Post #: 154

RE: Rome series 2 BBC 2 thread - 26/7/2007 11:55:55 AM

Peppermint

Posts: 10418
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Sussex

His Goodfellas moment superfurry?

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Post #: 155

RE: Rome series 2 BBC 2 thread - 26/7/2007 8:47:33 PM

superfurry

Posts: 37
Joined: 30/9/2005

The moment where Vorenus floors Antony and some servant or slave or whatever laughs. Antony turns round and says something along the lines of: Do I amuse you? Am I a fucking clown?

I could be wrong but I don't recall any reference to Atia in I, Claudius. Historically speaking Atia was reckoned to be a good and virtuous Roman matron.

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Post #: 156

RE: Rome series 2 BBC 2 thread - 3/8/2007 4:45:38 PM

Bickle

Posts: 721
Joined: 30/9/2005

Am I the only one thinks that James Purefoy (Mark Anthony) bares a striking resemblance to Marlon Brando, who also once played Mark Anthony?

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Post #: 157

RE: Rome series 2 BBC 2 thread - 2/12/2008 12:42:05 PM

Zaphod121

Posts: 9968
Joined: 20/1/2006
From: Not sure yet.

Could there be a Rome movie on the way? hmmm
click here

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Post #: 158

RE: Rome series 2 BBC 2 thread - 2/12/2008 8:23:04 PM

batcountry84

Posts: 4369
Joined: 15/5/2006
From: Under the sink

Rome was good how it ended, altho I am all for more Rome, as long as they put as much effort as they did into the series and round it off nicely. I'd love to see what happens to Octavian and our favourite, Atia.

She was such a mega bitch.

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Post #: 159

RE: Rome series 2 BBC 2 thread - 5/12/2008 2:07:53 AM

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