Ancient Rome The Rise And Fall Of An Empire [2006]

See Larger Image	List Price: £19.99 Our Price: £10.78 Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video Starring: James D'Arcy, Geraldine James, Sean Pertwee, Michael Sheen, Catherine McCormack Average Customer Rating:


Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Audience Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over Binding: DVD EAN: 5014503212124 Format: Anamorphic Label: 2 Entertain Video Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video Number Of Items: 2 Publisher: 2 Entertain Video Region Code: 2 Release Date: 2006-10-23 Running Time: 360 Studio: 2 Entertain Video Theatrical Release Date: 2006
Related Items Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire The Caesars - The Complete Series (2 Disc Set) [1968] Spartans - The Rise & Fall (Including the story of the 300) Egypt : Rediscovering A Lost World (3 Disc Box Set) [2005] Ancient Rome
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Good introduction to some chapters of Roman history Comment: While this BBC series does not have the fine scenery details and generally superior acting of HBO Rome, it is a good mixture of history and drama. Through its 6 chapters, the series touches some less known (popular) episodes of Roman history, including the emperor Constantine and his conversion to christianism, or the chain of betrayal between Rome last emperors and Allarico, king of the Godes. Overall, I highly recommend this series. I would love a more complete version that allocates a more even treatment of the almost 1000 years of Rome history: one or two episodes for every 100 years? Customer Rating: Summary: Very good series...but wish it covered more Comment: Having been a history buff at school and since then reliant on the odd TV series or Hollywood remake, I decided to try out this series. It focuses on the period when the Roman Republic was crumbling (~52BC) up to the fall of Rome (476AD). I must say this was a very good series to watch, with lots of political intrigue, assassinations and some battles thrown in. The format was different with it part narrated and part dramatized, but it works quite well. The standout episode was the second one covering Nero. The actor (Michael Sheen) portraying the mad Emperor was outstanding, though I was surprised that there was no mention of the persecution of Christians in the Great Fire story. I only gave it 4 stars because I think Ancient Rome had other critical periods too, such as the Punic Wars and the epic battles against Hannibal, and of course what happened directly after Caesar's assassination. A lot of the BBC history series tend to limit themselves to 6 episodes but I am one of those people that want more information. I think some more could have been added as extras to this DVD set. Nevertheless, I rate it very highly and recommend it happily. Customer Rating: Summary: Enjoyable but flawed Comment: This DVD consists of 6 episodes each covering an event which took place during the period of the Roman Empire and which the creators consider to be pivotal. The format is a docu-drama - by that I mean that within each episode there are a number of actors playing roles of famous romans, who follow a script which portrays the events that took place. To deal with the obvious problem of how to make sure we know what the events and characters are talking about, there is a commentary filling in the gaps - delivered by one of those chaps you hear in cinema adverts - with a confident, strong delivery method which implies he is delivering the information as if it were the 10 commandments written on tablets of stone. So, confident that of course none of the events or incidents could ever be considered untrue or have some analysis behind them. This format has its benefits and drawbacks. The characters in the drama sections are played by well known and therefore good actors who deliver the lines well. The battle scenes are not what one would expect from a movie set but are not bad given what I would expect of the BBC budget. This format is therefore excellent for keeping attention, as its short bursts of good acting followed by a dialogue on the events but overall its also disappointing as the events chosen are completely separate from each other, whereas if this was a drama there would be consistency throughout and it ends up being neither one thing or the other.. The events covered are also not necessarilly everyones choice covering ; including fun stuff like Ceasar & Nero and Constantine but also less well know pieces like the Jewish Revot. In summary I am not a great fan of this format as if the BBC was going to take the time and money to pay these good actors and build these scenes why not make a drama series along the lines of HBO Rome or I Claudius, you can't beat the romans for intrigue, places, events, scandal, sex, politics, battle scenes etc.. etc.. To me this format is a compromise which fails its a documentary of events, where actors play characters, but, there is no historical analysis as one would expect in a documentary series and no real chance for the actors to let loose or build a story line as if this were a drama series. On the postiive side its diverting well acted with some nice shots so easy watching. Customer Rating: Summary: Viewable but with a few reservations Comment: The thing that I find disturbing with this series is that some of the episodes remind me of long, Hollywoodesque, film trailers. The commentary sounds a bit too much like the bumper-sticker English we are used to in disaster films like Armageddon. Not even the best actors can conceal the fact that their lines are a bit too two dimensional. BUT, when you stop focusing on the negative, the series still provides both interesting facts and entertainment. However, in my opinion it does not reach the heights of 'I Claudius' or 'Rome'. Customer Rating: Summary: Gripping and great introduction to the History of Rome Comment: Once I got over the hamminess of the guy who plays Julia Caesar in the first episode, I was gripped. I am not able to comment on its accuracy but as the BBC said the programme was based on real life accounts and documentation I took this as trustworthy. I thought it was brilliantly directed, I wasn't expecting it to be visually impressive but it was and there are some good performances. For a novice I found this very interesting and can't wait to watch the second part. It worked well going between the action and part narration to fill in the gaps. Overall very enjoyable More Reviews