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Family dysfunction. Treachery. Betrayal. Coarse profanity. Brutal violence. Graphic (and sometimes brutal) sex. No, it's not The Sopranos, it's Rome, HBO's madly ambitious series that bloodily splatters the glory of Rome just as savagely as Monty Python and the Holy Grail soiled the good name of Camelot (but with far fewer laughs; very few funny things happen on the way to this forum). Set in 52 B.C. (Before Cable), Rome charts the dramatic shifts in the balance of power between former friends Pompey Magnus (Kenneth Cranham), leader of the Senate, and Julius Caesar (Ciaran Hinds), whose imminent return after eight years to Rome after conquering the Gauls, has the ruling class up in arms. At the heart of Rome is the odd couple friendship between two soldiers who fortuitously become heroes of the people. Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) is married, honorable, and steadfast. Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson) is an amoral rogue whose philosophy is best summed up, "I kill my enemies, take their gold, and enjoy their women." Among Rome's most compelling subplots is Lucius's strained relationship with his wife, Niobe (Indira Varma), who is surprised to see her husband alive (but not as surprised as he is to find her upon his homecoming with a newborn baby in her arms!) Any viewer befuddlement over Rome's intrigues and machinations, and determining who is hero and who is foe, disappears the minute Golden Globe-nominee Polly Walker appears as Atia, Caesar's formidable niece and a villainess for the ages. In the first hour alone, she offers her already married daughter as a bride to the recently widowed Pompey. One eagerly awaits to see what (or who) she'll do next as much as we anticipate her comeuppance in the final episode.
Rome is a painstakingly mounted production that earned eight well-deserved Emmy nominations in such categories as costumes, set design, and art direction. Michael Apted (Coal Miner's Daughter) was honored with a Director's Guild Award for the first episode, "The Stolen Eagle." But artistic considerations aside, instantly addicted viewers will agree with Atia, who notes at one point, "I adore the secrecy, the intrigue. It's most thrilling." --Donald Liebenson
Beyond the Series
 The Roman Empire in film and television |  The Roman Empire in documentaries |  More HBO DVDs |
Stills from Rome (click for larger image)
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Most helpful customer reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing series,
By
This review is from: Rome: Season 1 (DVD)
I rarely watch TV shows mostly because I am extremely picky and find the majority of them poorly written. Rome is an exception - a true find. While historically it's mostly accurate, the real attraction here is the complexity of the interpersonal relationships. I love how the "little people" are shown to have altered the course of history and the irony of having plebeian Vorenus act more nobly than half the Senate. Hope they continue the series for many years, it would be wonderful to see the transition to Empire.
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rome Rules,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Rome: Season 1 (DVD)
You've read the plot from the other reviewers and the synopsis so I'm not going to bother with that here. What's important about Rome is that HBO has bothered to make a film for adults. They do not water down history and make Rome just an ancient version of Washington or Ottawa or London - thank the Gods. Rome is here with all the sweat, the dirt and the morals and mores of the day. Seeing this should involve some form of culture shock and Rome provides that. So, you need to be aware that there is nudity (male and female) and sex aplenty ... but it's always contextual (and occasionaly quite steamy) but it seems that the writers aren't using sex to create sensation they are using history to create atmosphere and sex then, like now, is in the air. The story is strong, didn't Shakesphere tell a similar tale? The acting amazing - James Purefoy as Anthony is one astonishment amongst many. So if you are a real live grown up, Rome is for you - if however you are one of those viewers waiting (and be honest, wanting) to be offended - Rome is not for you. Can't wait for season two ...
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best HBO series,
By thirteen (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Rome: Season 1 (DVD)
Rome is truly a masterpiece and the costly sets (which may prevent a season 3) are just one of many reasons to watch this show, whether or not you're a fan of history. There is a lot of nudity, sex, violence, other drama, and it's all very realistic. Obviously some of it is changed and modified to accommodate the limited time, different viewers and the storylines, but most of it is accurate. There's also a lot of humour and realistic portrayals of characters.The special features on these DVDs are extensive and make for a very nice collection.
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