HBO just keeps cranking out the best shows on television: SOPRANOS, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, DEADWOOD ... They've done it again with the brilliant historical drama ROME. I just viewed all 12 episodes of the DVD boxed set and I have to say the $100 million production delivers the goods: brutal violence, betrayal, graphic sex, political intrigue; all the excesses of ancient Rome laid at your doorstop.
ROME is set in 52 B.C. and highlights the power struggle between Julius Caesar (a masterful Ciaran Hinds) and Pompey Magnus (Kenneth Cranham) following Caesar's return from an eight year war with the Gauls. The two protagonists of the series are two soldiers, Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) a stoic by the book officer and his companion Titus Pollo (Ray Stevenson) a tough, violent but kind-hearted rogue - events are seen through their eyes; they serve as a catalyst to major events in the series.
The $100 million ROME is a production between HBO and the BBC; ROME is one of the largest co-production deals ever by the BBC for an American series, and marks the first series co-production of the two networks (HBO and the BBC previously partnered on the 2001 miniseries BAND OF BROTHERS which won six Emmy® Awards, including Outstanding Miniseries).
Whether you are a fan of historical and political dramas (i.e. I CLAUDIUS), or good old fashioned 'swords and sandals' epics like GLADIATOR pick this boxed set up.
