I, Claudius - 1976 - 8/10
Spellbinding adaptation of Robert Graves novel, itself a distillation of Suetonius’ scurrilous accounting.
Long study of Claudius from his birth, agonizing childhood, ascension to the throne, murder.
Adultery, assassination, betrayals, vengeance, back-stabbing, this encapsulated the swath of human treachery.
Derek Jacobi, as the stammering, perceived fool is one of many pitch-perfect actors.
Brian Blessed as the boisterous Augustus, and Siân Philips as the venomous Livia.
Likewise John Hurt as the insane Caligula, and Patrick Stewart as the conniving Sejanus.
The budget on this was low, and the look lacks the polished gloss of later productions.
Nonetheless, this remains an astounding journey of political intrigue and murderous ambition.
