CinemaSerf Review of The Caesars

The Caesars (1968)

A little too theatrical, but still a great historical drama serial.

[7/10 · 17 March 2020]

I've just seen this on DVD and it is a superb telling of the early days of the Roman Empire. We arrive at the conclusion of the reign of Augustus and focus on the rules of Tiberius (André Morell) and of his insane megalomanic nephew Caligula (Ralph Bates). Sonia Dresdel is suitably imperious as Augustus' wife Livia and Freddie Jones stands out too, as the supposed halfwit "Claudius". I think it rather pointless comparing this series (6 hours & monochrome) with the later adaptation of Robert Graves' "I Claudius" books by the BBC (12 hours & colour) but this is certainly well worth watching in it's own right as a fascinating, intelligent, review of the glory and ignominy of life at the top.