Rome - The Complete First Season (2005)

Much better entertainment,then any reality show

It,s June 20th 2008 and 114 degrees in Phoenix. So what do you do? Watch seasons 1& 2 of Rome HBO Series.I must say this series really hooked me and I spent several days watching 2-4 episodes.I cannot confirm the historical accuracy of this series. However the acting, costume & set design, and exceptional writing makes this best entertainment available.
All of the chartacters are interesting, although some do not live too long.With lots of twists and turns throughout the series and several plots going on at the same time, the viewer never becomes bored.This series is strickly for adults. There are several scenes with nudity,debauchery,and graphic bloody violence.For the most part I believe the director was trying give a sense of everyday life and survival during this period in Rome.
I have read many reviews of this series and I can agree with most. However the notion of season 2,not being as good as season 1 is bunk!To totally
enjoy this epic, you must see both seasons.I am 60 years old,this series rates as one the best in every catagory. I was pleased to see the plight of the common man and woman in Rome. Hollywood only shows Ceasar and his royal family. ( really how rough do the very rich have it) when you can buy anything.
Bottomline this is a really good show, you will not be dissappointed. June 20, 2008

interesting, graphic, captivating, historically accurate, a bit over the top

i see that a significant number of reviews are about the graphic nature of the sex. it is a bit over the top, use the fast forward button. the sex is not gratituous but rather an important element in setting the scene.

another item everyone seems to discuss here is the historical accuracy. i think it one of the best elements of the shows, but i am not an expert in roman history. they certainly strived for it, ought to be commended for what they achieved and looked to for an example for what can be accomplished (with lots of money apparently)

i throughly enjoyed and was completely wrapped up in the period, the people and the dvd's. i usually have grumps and grips about reducing a historical period to a few major characters but i didn't feel that way here, probably because in these hours the character development was sufficent to give a good feel for the times and age.

the writers, the scenery people and the historical consultants are to be complemented for a job very well done. tv at it's best.

thanks. June 17, 2008

Ancient Rome Is Populated with British Actors?

With its fascinating cultural history and scenery-chewing acting, Rome is a real kick in the tunic. In fact, my only complaint about it is this: Why populate the cast with so many Brits? Their accents are hardly helpful, and even the slang they use ("bugger?") is very UK and not very Pax Romana. (Try getting some actual Italians next time, casting directors.)

Along these lines, some real dialogue doozies sneak through; I winced when a character spoke of "losing face," a concept and expression that would fit nicely in a film on medieval Japan, but Italy 2,000 years ago? Not so much.

But don't get me wrong, I really like this series. Be sure to turn on the special feature that inserts background captions into the scenes as you go for historical enlightenment. June 5, 2008

Another great HBO series

Kudos to HBO for taking a chance on a series with huge production costs. The acting and characterizations are excellent, particularly Polly Walker. I've only watched the first five episodes (downloading from iTunes) but I like the portrayal of the future monarch Octavian who is smart and incredibly ruthless which is probably appropriate for somebody that would rule an empire such as rome. May 28, 2008

Fantastic!

I am absolutely hooked on this HBO series. As good as the Sopranos - - or any other contemporary-set series. The characters are engaging, realistic, and interesting. You see life from all classes in Rome. The sets and costumes are amazing - - how much money have they spent on this? ROME lacks nothing - - violence, sex, money, pride, history, affection, patriotism, jealousy, honor, devotion - everything is in there! The social comentary reflects as much the lives of ancient Romans, as today's Western world.

From the dvd "extras" it seems as though the history is fairly acurate and the writers & producers went above and beyond expectations to be realistic.

Highly reccommend this to one and all. May 19, 2008

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