HBO's Rome

[Banshee16]

I just saw HBO's Rome at Future Shop, and am curious if it was any good. I love Rome as a setting for movies etc., and saw a few episodes of Empire last year, and liked it. "Rome", however, is about $85 for 12 episodes, so it would have to be quite good to purchase it.

Is this one worth the time/money? I don't think I've seen any HBO-centric TV shows, but I've heard much of their programs are good.

Banshee

 

[Morrus]

It's fantastic! But it's "HBO & The BBC's Rome".

I really enjoyed it on TV. I'll be picking up the boxed set for certain. Looking forward to the second series; it's a shame they're only making two.

 

[Banshee16]

How did it compare to "Empire"? When you say HBO & BBC's Rome, what does that imply? I haven't seen any HBO programs before..

Banshee

 

[Morrus]

How did it compare to "Empire"?

About a million times better.

When you say HBO & BBC's Rome, what does that imply?

I'm not implying anything - just giving credit where it's due. It was a joint project between the two. Although the BBC's involvement probably contributed to the mainly British cast.

I haven't seen any HBO programs before..

I'm no expert. We don't have HBO in the UK.

 

[LightPhoenix]

As a relatively non-history person, I enjoyed it once it started picking up speed and really focusing on the main characters, which wasn't for a couple of episodes. The setting and costumes were excellently done, and it's defnitely not cheesy at all. Pullo and Vorenus, the two main characters, are pretty awesome, and Octavian rules too.

That said, I tried watching through the series again recently and found, to my surprise, that I couldn't do it. So honestly I probably wouldn't pick it up personally.

Anyway, if you really have doubts, maybe you could rent the first disc from Netflix or something. I don't really advocate spending lots of money based on other peoples' opinions.

 

[msd]

It's fantastic! But it's "HBO & The BBC's Rome".

I really enjoyed it on TV. I'll be picking up the boxed set for certain. Looking forward to the second series; it's a shame they're only making two.

Ditto. I loved every second of it. And I think the boxed set is now out (as of the last few days in the US). If not already, they are at least advertising its release on television so it must be soon.

 

[Mort]

My wife and I really enjoyed this series (as a matter of fact all 12 episodes are still clogging the tivo because my wife won't let me erase them). Understand though it's very graphic (My wife joked some executive was trying to cram as much violence, sex and politics into a series as he could and thought of the perfect story where it would fit).

I also like how the show hits many of the historical high points accurately (though with huge amounts of embelishment).

 

[Vigilance]

Another vote for Rome. An amazing series. Great characters and a real historical feel to it.

Morrus is right about the BBC's main contribution being actors, but since they filmed in Rome, that more or less made the movie possible, since transporting an American cast to Italy and putting them up for the entire shoot would have made the show even more god-awful expensive than it was.

Chuck

 

[Mark CMG]

Pullo and Vorenus, the two main characters, are pretty awesome (. . .)

Yup. It's a buddy cop series, basically. I love that take on this period of Roman history. Great series.

 

[Brakkart]

I'd never seen so much as a clip of this show, but being an ancient history buff I just had to buy it when it came out on DVD. Watched the whole series over a couple evenings. Absolutely brilliant show. While I am annoyed that there will only be 2 seasons of it, that does actually fit the period in which it is set. The first season covers Caesar's rule of Rome and eventual assassination, the second will cover Octavian's rise to power to become the first true Emperor.

I'm actually very impressed with the packaging, as the DVD's come in a hard board box with bevelled edges, a very sturdy container indeed. It also includes a very handy little guide to each episode, as well as all the major characters (complete with photos) so you can quickly learn who is who.