I, Claudius

I, Claudius is a novel by Robert Graves, (ISBN 067972477X) first published in 1934, dealing sympathetically with the life of the Roman Emperor Claudius and the history of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty and Roman Empire, from Julius Caesar's assassination in 44 BC to Caligula's assassination in 41 AD. Graves's interpretation of the story owes much to the biographies of Tacitus, Plutarch, and (most especially) Suetonius. Graves continued his tale (from Claudius' accession after Caligula's death to his death in 54 AD, as well as a segue involving the early life of Herod Agrippa) in Claudius the God (1935).

Adaptations for film and television

The book was to have been the subject of a 1937 film, produced by Alexander Korda and starring Charles Laughton, but it was dogged by ill-luck, culminating in a serious accident involving the female star, Merle Oberon, which caused filming to be abandoned.

Related Topics:
1937 - Alexander Korda - Charles Laughton - Merle Oberon

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In 1976, the book, together with its sequel, was adapted for television by the BBC, and proved one of the corporation's most successful drama serials of all time. It starred Derek Jacobi as Claudius, Siân Phillips as Livia, George Baker as Tiberius, John Hurt as Caligula and Brian Blessed as Augustus Caesar. The cast also included Patrick Stewart as Sejanus, Margaret Tyzack as Antonia, Patricia Quinn as Livilla, John Paul as Marcus Agrippa, John Rhys-Davies as Macro, Sheila White as Messalina and Christopher Biggins as Nero. Wilfrid Josephs provided the suitably eerie title music. Among other awards, the series won 3 BAFTAs in 1977 (Derek Jacobi, Best Actor (TV); Siân Phillips, Best Actress (TV); Tim Harvey, Best Design (TV)).

Related Topics:
1976 - BBC - Derek Jacobi - Claudius - Siân Phillips - Livia - George Baker - Tiberius - John Hurt - Caligula - Brian Blessed - Augustus Caesar - Patrick Stewart - Sejanus - Margaret Tyzack - Antonia - Patricia Quinn - Livilla - John Paul - Marcus Agrippa - John Rhys-Davies - Macro - Sheila White - Messalina - Christopher Biggins - Nero - Wilfrid Josephs - BAFTA

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Production of the series was delayed because of complex negotiations between the BBC and the copyright holders of the aborted film version. This did however give scriptwriter Jack Pulman more time to fine-tune his script.

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The series was subsequently broadcast in the United States as part of PBS' s Masterpiece Theatre series, where it was widely acclaimed and accepted. It has come to be widely regarded as one of the best television series ever made. In a list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes drawn up by the British Film Institute in 2000, voted for by industry professionals, I, Claudius was placed 12th.

Related Topics:
United States - PBS - Masterpiece Theatre - 100 Greatest British Television Programmes - British Film Institute - 2000

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Most VHS and DVD versions of the TV series include a BBC documentary on the Korda film project called The Epic That Never Was, featuring interviews with key production staff and actors as well as most of the surviving footage. The 2002 UK DVD edition also contains a documentary on the series, I, Claudius - a Television Epic, as well as some alternate and deleted scenes.

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The Canadian independent film I, Claudia was inspired in title by this book. Another title punning I, Claudius is the book ' by Clare de Vries about the author's drive across America with her old Burmese cat. Sesame Streets Monsterpiece Theatre also has aired a parody of the play.

Related Topics:
Independent film - I, Claudia - Clare de Vries - Burmese cat - Sesame Street - Monsterpiece Theatre

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