I, Claudius - BBC

I, Claudius
(Rated 6/5)
I just wanted to say a few words about this BBC drama series from oh so long ago, that is currently being repeated on BBC4. I was a child, under 10, at the time it was made and now I'm almost a middle-aged woman! The sets creating ancient Rome were a little wobbly - just like good old classic Dr Who - but it didn't matter then, and actually doesn't matter now either! It was expertly written and sensationally performed by the best acting talent of the day and still now in some cases! Derek Jacobi as Claudius - pictured below - was exceptionally natural in Claudius' physical walking disability, uncontrollable twitching and stammer - who could not adore this highly intelligent 'fool' who instilled such empathy that you willed him to get his words out and carry on playing an idiot so as not to be a threat to his crazy family in power who could kill someone at the drop of a toga?! And the best at that - Empress Livia - Sian Phillips - who calmly poisoned all those she perceived as a threat to the Roman Empire and in the way of her quest for power. One of the worst serial killers ever and yet I completely adored her as a child and still now. So much so one of our cats was named after her. In last night's episode she was no longer there to poison the problematic people and all hell broke loose! I missed her so much and yet we have John Hurt as the dreadful Caligula, also putting in a delicious performance. They were all completely mad - except Claudius - and terrible too in many cases, and yet this is like a glorious farce as well as stunning drama. I highly recommend catching up with it if you can...