Composer:
Jeff BealCast:
Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, Polly Walker, Kerry Condon, James Purefoy, Ian McNeice, Coral Amiga, Lindsay Duncan, Lidia Biondi, Tobias Menzies (more)VOD (4)
Seasons(2) / Episodes(22)
Plots(1)
Four hundred years after the founding of the Republic, Rome is the wealthiest city in the world, a cosmopolitan metropolis of one million people, epicenter of a sprawling empire. But now, the city's foundations are crumbling, eaten away by corruption and excess...And two soldiers unwittingly become entwined in historical events, their fates inexorably tied to the fate of Rome itself. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Videos (2)
Reviews (6)
A.k.a. how a good budget, masks, attractive locations, occasionally good camerawork – and nothing else – is enough to attract an audience. In Rome, a huge serial mistake emerged in the first season, with the most cruel plots, stupid dialogue, and a failed setting in historical realities. I would like to give the series a chance, but being completely irritated by most of the main characters has turned all the potential upside down.
()
Where are the days when HBO wasn't synonymous with Game of Thrones? Rome may be boring compared to other cable networks' ancient series, but not every project can be as perfect as Spartacus: Gods of Arena. No one has stuck in my mind from amongst the actors, and there is no other drama that has been done more times than the story of Caesar. The proclaimed work with authenticity did not pay off in the end because nobody wanted to pay for more than 2 seasons. What is important, though, is the fact that the popularity of historical series picked up and the door was open for the subsequent The Tudors or Vikings. #hbo
()
The first season offers a great overview of Caesar’s government, building up to an incredible finale. Precise acting, great casting. The story sprints through the most important events, while taking the time to present the everyday face of Rome: shady assholes on every street corner, misleading advertising, spongers and liars everywhere you look. It’s a shame that they avoid large battle scenes, but the fight in the arena in the penultimate episode is pretty hardcore. Season 2 is darker and far more generous overall. The rise of Octavian, who grows from being a clever and rather shy boy into a heartless, calculating bastard, is built up very nicely. Antonius (the fantastic Purefoy) and the finale in Egypt which, squeezing out a more realistic take on the end of those eternally drugged up wrecks from the classic tragedy, leaves you speechless. The production design is amazing and we are even treated to one big battle. This is a good imitation of Game of Thrones, but there is only one original. Have his head salted, so that it survives the journey to Rome.
()
Rome doesn't blow you away right away, and especially for those like me who didn't pay attention in history class, the first half will be more or less a chore. The plot spans several years and an incredible cast of characters enters the scene, with the viewer being thrown mercilessly headfirst into the plot. Yet the moment you realize that there is not a single positive character (even the funny Pulo is still just an uncouth, bloodthirsty asshole), that all the actors, without any exceptions, act their hearts out, and that the whole "beauty of Rome" is portrayed as it really was, without moral principles or respect for life, with the filthy streets and the scrawled walls, it pulls you in and doesn't let go. Perhaps the only criticism I have is that the several-year gap in the plot should be noticeable on the characters' faces, especially the children. Otherwise, I have no complaints. PS: Edit after Season II: Phenomenal!
()
An interesting combination of elements typical of "made by HBO" series with excellent sets and historical trappings. inspiration by I, Claudius (whether by the magnificent books or the unsurpassed TV series) is obvious, but it certainly doesn't hurt. The depiction of the political intrigues during the life of Gaius Caesar, as well as the usually unseen side of the lives of plebeians and legionnaires, is well done. It is not strictly necessary to orient yourself in the events of the time, but it pays off knowing something, because there are a lot of references for the knowledgeable - sometimes they are purely fun allusions, and sometimes they are interesting takes on different events. The acting is precise; the production design is spectacular, and from about episode three it is really excellent as a whole (the initial episodes only serve as a relatively uninteresting beginning); yet something is missing - something its older brother I, Claudius (even though it was shot in a studio) had in abundance.
()
Ads