Augustus Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)A wonderful and expansive recounting of the life and times of Rome's first emperor, Augustus Caesar. A conversation between Augustus and his daughter Julia provides the narration that covers the early years of his life through to his death.
The story begins with us finding Augustus, after many years on the throne, walking among the enthusiastic crowd in the Roman Forum. Their reaction seems authentically happy to be close to a popular leader who is now in the latter years of a long and successful career. From here we travel back with Augustus to Spain, Egypt, Greece, and of course Rome and spend time with Julius Caesar, Marc Antony, Cleopatra, Marcus Agrippa, and his wife Livia. All these characters are given depth and you truly get a view into why they may have done the things they did.
The settings are generally good and the reproduction of the Forum, while not perfect, is among the best I've seen.
My only significant criticism is the unevenness of how some of the dialog is presented. It seems that many of the actors were not speaking English and their voices overdubbed in English. This sometimes breaks the flow of the dialog and makes it appear unnatural. Hence I believe it rates a 4 star rating rather than 5. Other than that, the acting is very good, especially that of Peter O'Tool who delivers a very convincing elder Augustus. Some critics have cited flaws in the history it portrays, especially around the character of Julia. True or not, this in no significant way takes away from the production.
It's tempting to compare this to the BBC's landmark production of "I Claudius" or the Hollywood production of "Cleopatra". Overall "I Claudius" is a better production but is sometimes too myopic; one gets the feeling from "I Claudius" that the emperors never ventured outside a few rooms in their palace. Compared to "Cleopatra", this production provides less Hollywood-type settings and more depth to the characters.
A must see for any enthusiast of Roman History or anyone who has a child who does not always follow your wishes.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Augustus

AUGUSTUS - DVD Movie

Get 40% OFF

Click here for more information about Augustus

Pompeii - The Last Day/Colosseum - A Gladiator's Story (2004) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)A realistic docu-drama, this is a telling of the building of Rome's Colosseum which started under the rule of Emperor Vespasian and was completed by his son and heir Titus in 80 AD. It also shows the training of the gladiators, many who were slaves, but a few who would trade their liberty for a period of time for money, and sometimes fame.
The decadence and brutality of the Roman games, as well the brave and desperate men who were the entertainment, make for a riveting story;
The central figure is a historical gladiator by the name of Verus, who was a slave working in a quarry when chosen for the arena. Robert Shannon is good in the part, exhibiting much physical prowess, grace and style.
Filmed in Tunisia, it boasts the latest technological wizardry to duplicate the Colosseum and the audience, using matte paintings and crowd replication among other techniques.
Produced and directed by Tilman Remme, the dialog is in Latin, and the narration by Liev Schreiber, whose modulated voice is always a pleasure to listen to.
Having seen the empty shell of what is left of this extraordinary structure as it stands today, I found this recreation fascinating and informative, with enough drama and action to make it interesting for repeated viewings.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pompeii - The Last Day/Colosseum - A Gladiator's Story (2004)

POMPEII:LAST DAY - DVD Movie

Get 43% OFF

Click here for more information about Pompeii - The Last Day/Colosseum - A Gladiator's Story (2004)

Masada - The Complete Epic Mini-Series (1981) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Masada is one of the most eagerly anticipated DVD releases of the year. This Classic TV 1981 miniseries is arguably one of the greatest ever produced in its genre, and garnered a lot of awards in its day. It is MORE than highly recommended!
It is well written and has a stellar cast that more than lived up to the script. The series, based on Ernest K. Gann's historical novel The Antagonists, is a dramatization of a documented revolt by nearly a thousand Jerusalem Jews against Roman oppressors in A.D. 72 to 73.
Epic in its scope, the actors bring nobility and pathos to the ultimately inspiring and tragic story. Following a city-wide siege by Rome's soldiers, Jewish Zealots move into a desert fortress in the mountains of Masada of Judea. It is from that remote location that they make their last stand against the tyrannical Roman Empire. Amazingly, their defensive battlement is strong enough to convince the enemy to negotiate after a two-year battle!
The brilliant Peter O'Toole, portrays Cornelius Flavius Silva, commander of the Roman legions, while Peter Strauss (who was cast in several miniseries in the 80's) portrays the Zealot leader Eleazar ben Yair, who end up developing an improbably respect for each other during the life-and-death struggle.
O'Toole, is fresh from the Roman conquest of Judea. Exhausted emotionally and physically, he has been affected by the constant warring, but remains the ruthless Commander of the elite Tenth Legion. He yearns to return home to Italy, but is prevented from doing so by a violent uprising of a small band of courageous Jews led by the volatile renegade soldier, Eleazar ben Yair (Strauss).
Silva is ordered to capture Eleazar and his followers. He is beset by internal strife because the brutal desert conditions have his legion teetering on the brink of mutiny, while he finds himself falling in love with a Jewess (portrayed with sensitivity by Barbara Carerra.) At the same time, Pomponius Falco, portrayed by David Warner, is working to steal his command.
Inside the fortress, Eleazar is struggling to keep his followers together. A diverse mix of defected soldiers, wanted criminals along with women and children totally about 900, they struggle to find enough food and water to survive their courageous stand against impossible, truly hopeless odds.
The actors leave nothing on the cutting room floor in their heart wrenching renditions of their unforgettable characters. Somehow, O'Toole brings humanity to his character, while Strauss is integrity, fury and courage personified.
Both of their characters believe the negotiations are real, and represent each side in good faith, struggling to find a way out of the deadly situation.
Unfortunately, neither realizes that Rome has no intention of yielding, but instead sends thousands of soldiers in a horrible seige of Masada resulting in one of the worst tragedies in Jewish history.
Masada was brilliantly directed by Boris Sagal (The Omega Man), and the musical score is unforgettably moving.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Masada - The Complete Epic Mini-Series (1981)

In first century A.D., Flavius Silva (Peter O’Toole), commander in Roman Palestine, leads his forces in combat against the remaining Jewish Zealots who have taken refuge in the seemingly impregnable fortress of Masada. There, the engineering and military might of Rome faces the passion and ingenuity of Eleazar Ben Yair (Peter Strauss) and his people. Based on the novel "The Antagonists" by Ernest K. Gann, this epic, 4-part mini-series was shot on location in Israel.

Get 52% OFF

Click here for more information about Masada - The Complete Epic Mini-Series (1981)

Roar - The Complete Series (1997) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)`Roar' is a highly entertaining sword and sorcery series made for television which was originally released to the airwaves in '97. This magical series has finally been released in a boxed set containing the complete 13 episodes, which includes 5 episodes never aired on network television
Synopsis: The year is 400A.D., the place is the British Isles. The Roman Empire rules the Celtic landscape, that is with the exception of a few pagan tribes still offering what little resistance they can. The task to unite the native Celts to battle the invading Roman forces falls to young Prince Conor (Heath Ledger). If Conor is to be successful he must learn to harness the mystical power of his homeland, "the Roar." Only then can he truly lead his people and realize his vision of freedom.
`Roar' is beautifully produced and wonderfully scenic throughout. It also has ingeniously combined Celtic mysticism and Druidism with some rather obscure and archaic elements of early Christian mythology. The inclusion of Longinus, the Roman Centurian who pierced the side of Christ with his spear in the role of Queen Dianna's sorcerer is a fascinating addition to the storyline.
Also starring: John Saint Ryan (Fergus), Vera Farmiga (Catlin), Alonzo Greer (Tully), Liza Zane (Queen Dianna) and Sebastian Roche (Longinus).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Roar - The Complete Series (1997)

ROAR:COMPLETE SERIES - DVD Movie

Get 40% OFF

Click here for more information about Roar - The Complete Series (1997)