Having read a lot of recommendations for this mini series I finally bought season one on DVD. I was promised and therefore looking forward to a good plot mixed with historical accuracy. Unfortunately I was disappointed very much.
But first the good things: The Rome set is very nice and most probably very well researched. It feels more or less authentic. The story of the marriage life of Niobe and Vorenus is moving. Some acting is good: Pullo, Atia, Pompeius.
The bad things: all the rest ! I will give here just a few examples (some Spoilers):
Historic accuracy is (almost) nonexistent. In this regard it is similar to 'Troy'. The names are from the books, but the rest is so much condensed to become pure fiction. The script shows no understanding of Roman aristocratic life and the role of women in it. Men and women having dinner parties together with an erotic dance show on top - totally wrong. And sex of a high aristocracy lady with a Jewish horse dealer in front of several house slaves ... OMG ! Caesar is depicted as an opportunist bureaucrat - not the charismatic and highly intelligent and competent leader (and womanizer) he actually was. After the conquest of Gaul he was the richest man in the world and in this series his war effort depends on the accidental capture of a small ox cart of gold. Ridiculous. Furthermore he was Pontifex Maximus, the High priest of Rome. But here he has to bribe the chief augur for a positive omen. And Caesarian legionaries are wearing red cloaks and Pompeians are wearing blue cloaks. How convenient in a Civil war ... And that Caesar tried to fight unemployment of the Roman people by law will be new to all serious students of Roman history. And Egypt and Cleopatra - totally wrong as well. I could go on for hours ...
Of course it is impossible to bring all of this very complex period into a TV series of about ten hours. But the script tries just this. And that's its major failure. Less - and more concentration either in covered time or on less persons - would have been more.
The remaining rest of the script is mediocre. Some intrigues, a little sex and lots of violence. But no real character development. Even if you put all the historical pretense aside most of the story itself is not very believable and gripping.
And most of the acting is mediocre as well. Especially bad acting from Vorenus and Caesar. Both much too wooden and colorless. (Like Colin Farell in 'Alexander' or Brad Pitt in 'Troy'.) Nobody would believe that they are successful and respected leaders of men.
Resume: As a mediocre soap somewhat entertaining but nothing special.
But first the good things: The Rome set is very nice and most probably very well researched. It feels more or less authentic. The story of the marriage life of Niobe and Vorenus is moving. Some acting is good: Pullo, Atia, Pompeius.
The bad things: all the rest ! I will give here just a few examples (some Spoilers):
Historic accuracy is (almost) nonexistent. In this regard it is similar to 'Troy'. The names are from the books, but the rest is so much condensed to become pure fiction. The script shows no understanding of Roman aristocratic life and the role of women in it. Men and women having dinner parties together with an erotic dance show on top - totally wrong. And sex of a high aristocracy lady with a Jewish horse dealer in front of several house slaves ... OMG ! Caesar is depicted as an opportunist bureaucrat - not the charismatic and highly intelligent and competent leader (and womanizer) he actually was. After the conquest of Gaul he was the richest man in the world and in this series his war effort depends on the accidental capture of a small ox cart of gold. Ridiculous. Furthermore he was Pontifex Maximus, the High priest of Rome. But here he has to bribe the chief augur for a positive omen. And Caesarian legionaries are wearing red cloaks and Pompeians are wearing blue cloaks. How convenient in a Civil war ... And that Caesar tried to fight unemployment of the Roman people by law will be new to all serious students of Roman history. And Egypt and Cleopatra - totally wrong as well. I could go on for hours ...
Of course it is impossible to bring all of this very complex period into a TV series of about ten hours. But the script tries just this. And that's its major failure. Less - and more concentration either in covered time or on less persons - would have been more.
The remaining rest of the script is mediocre. Some intrigues, a little sex and lots of violence. But no real character development. Even if you put all the historical pretense aside most of the story itself is not very believable and gripping.
And most of the acting is mediocre as well. Especially bad acting from Vorenus and Caesar. Both much too wooden and colorless. (Like Colin Farell in 'Alexander' or Brad Pitt in 'Troy'.) Nobody would believe that they are successful and respected leaders of men.
Resume: As a mediocre soap somewhat entertaining but nothing special.