I Claudius ep1 A Touch of Murder (1/10)

[Nubfalconium]

Here goes my fourth watching of this awesome series.

[thenight106]

Been watching this series in Latin.... It's near-accurate and its a pretty good series.

[Noodles37UK]

Did they have trombones in Ancient Rome?

[Kayla82988]

this series made me into a history major

[AliceTRoyal]

It makes me smile when they make actors up to look old for a part....and then they actually get old. And they look like they did when they were made up. I saw "The King's Speech" before seeing I, Claudius, and in the opening of this I thought to myself, "Oh, yeah--it's that guy who played the Archbishop of Canterbury".

And then the flashbacks started and I was like, "AAHHHH HE'S SO YOUNG!"

[MrTimothyGates]

Thankyou for posting this series in it's entirety. In 1976 I was 8 yrs old, I have vivid memories of watching this w my parents. Watching it again is like reliving a piece of my childhood. ( footnote) Can't look at ceaser or Olivia, wthout seeing him as the leader of the Bird people In the 1978 cult classic Flash Gorden, and her as Mother Superior in 1984's cult classic Dune,I can still see her holding the Goam Jabarr. Lastly, geeky I may be, male I am not. ( shared adress)

[kink66]

@MrTimothyGates ARE YOU MY LOST TWIN BROTHER?!

[ChristopherMB87]

@MrTimothyGates Not to mention knowing that Patrick Stewart played Gurney Hallack in Dune as well before even playing Picard.

[don3001]

fantastic actors! a great show. i saw the whole show for about 4 times in the last years. the book i read 5 times in my life

[richiemo2000]

Is this series worth getting into? I just finished HBO's Rome and Im fiending for more!!

[MrSunlander]

Spies everywhere, and Claudius did not have the oppression of Wikileaks.....  Imagine him Twittering now......

[charlotteguy7]

I was a teenager when this came out, and it spurred a lifelong interest in all things Roman Empire. The theme still gives me chills.

I miss the era of the miniseries.

[paulmurphy216]

My Parents used to let me sit up and watch this when I was kid. It prompted me to read the books and later to take classics at high school and (as a secondary subject) university. I've since read Tacitus, Suetonius, Dio Cassius and many other of the ancient writers as well as many books on the ancients. There are very few people who can claim to be absolute experts on Ancient Rome and I'm certainly not one of them but its fair to say that this series had a huge impact on my life. Ave Claudius!

[cashfan223]

i'm almost scared to start watching incase youtube have removed just one random part of it...

[cashfan223]

i'm almost scared to start watching incase youtube have removed just one random part of it...

[tigerboy1966]

Anyone notice that he has got the scroll the wrong way round?

[sbergman27]

1900 yrs. Nearly 2 millennia. 100 generations. A very long time. And yet, at the same time, it's nothing. 200 millennia of Homo sapiens history. And what do we know of the details? If a man died, but was heard again 1900 years later, 150,000 yrs ago, would we know or care today? Against a backdrop of 4.5 million millennia of Earth history, and 260 thousand millennia of dinosaur history, Claudius' epic is but an ephemeral ripple in a pond on a tiny planet in an immense Universe. But brilliant.

[JONNOG88]

Best mini series ever. Not a weak performance in it. Derek Jacobi, John Hurt, Brian Blessed and Patrick Stewart where all brilliant. Also compare this HBO's Rome in more recent years. I prefer Claudius,

[3baxcb]

@JONNOG88 Both series had inaccuracies which were regarded as unimportant in comparison to the drama. Much of I Claudius was based on ancient historians who were biased against the Julio-Claudians but it wouldn't be such a drama if they portrayed Livia, Tiberius or Caligula less negatively or as nurtured to be tyrannical rather than born to do such terrible things.

[SuperKarenFox]

Awesome

[darynjacobs]

thankyou been trying to find this for ages

[jackie7610]

"One of these new Greek inventions. WHY are they so clever?

[ArthasvsLeon]

@jackie7610 "If they're so clever, how come they're a province of ours instead of vice-versa?"

The sad thing is I quoted that purely from memory XD

[bexlarrr]

what happened to claudius' history? or is this artistic license?

[84morgan84]

Chills down my spine every time I hear that opening music!

I used to watch this series as a wee one, can't have been more than 9 or 10. Imagine! I turned out fine, though.

My dvds are on the other side of the continent, so thanks for uploading.

[ImeldaDavies]

Thanks for this. This is fantastic yes I think the greatest show ever made. Jacobi is superb.

[ImeldaDavies]

Thanks for this. This is fantastic yes I think the greatest show ever made.

[danielharmonizer]

What I can't understand is why Wikipedia records another episode not part of the DVD set called "Family Affairs" that records the death of Agrippa. Did it originally air but not make it as part of the DVD collection, or does it not exist at all? And does anyone have a copy of this episode? Also, how does this series compare with the HBO's Rome? Loved that one.

[cha5]

@danielharmonizer Uh "Family Affairs" is on my I Claudius DVD set Episode Two,

Mine is the older boxed DVD set with the mosiac that came out in 2000,

not the more recent one though.

Here's hoping for a Blu-Ray I Claudius boxed set someday.

[Uzurov]

Jedna od mojih omiljenih serija. Repriza se prikazivala nedeljom po podne, sat vremena posle emisije Muzicki tobogan.

[antoninus138]

The true ClaudiusRobert Graves' fictional characterization of Claudius as an essentially benign man with a keen intelligence has tended to dominate the wider public's view of this emperor. Close study of the sources, however, reveals a somewhat different kind of man. In addition to his scholarly and cautious nature, he had a cruel streak, as suggested by his addiction to gladiatorial games and his fondness for watching his defeated opponents executed.

[UnrealHel]

Freggin love this tv-series.

Looking for e-friend, but do not own the nerve capacity for chatroulette.. Seriously. Any interest please e-mail me.

[255ad]

6:06 it's nice to see some real black people on T.V in the 1970's LOL

[ballocoke]

How historically accurate is this series? I would kinda like to know that before i start to watch it.

[DaveFromBrooklyn]

@ballocoke Since the history of history seems to change every few years, look at this series as a dramatic and surreal take on history. And even though it's not faithful to the novels, It's very well directed and the acting is superb. You should also read both Robert Graves' books. They're pretty insane.

[ballocoke]

@DaveFromBrooklyn Will do. thanks.



[johnkerry7]

@ballocoke ill be honest, the quality of this show is so ace that it doesnt matter.

[chykim1]

i love your programs

[artistsworks]

so much information on the fate of Rome. I really need to see this again and again.

[jerrydoubleu]

I loved this show.

[Neanderthalcouzin]

I watched this as a child cos I lived in Africa and we didn't have any other videos to watch. I'm glad this is what my parents had because it's such a perfect piece of drama. I think it may be the reason I like real drama and have no patience for vacuous, flash in the pan nonsense. Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud, hatch out!

Thanks zeusbark, genius!

[middletech]

That was so good when he started talking about us who would see his biography in 1900 years and then stair at the camera.

[SerpentGoddess]

Thanks so much for uploading! This is the greatest show ever. Sian Phillips is amazing and Brian Blessed is (of course) legendary.

[choralfreak123]

It's cheesy, and the acting is so bad it's comical! The British aren't capable of good T.V.

[Kesran]

@choralfreak123

Whereas you are obviously more than capable of sweeping and highly subjective generalisations...

[AvatarYoda]

Absolutely excellent miniseries. Strange--on my DVDs, the dance is longer. Do you have a different version than the five-disc one that has the mosiac tile cover art?

I hope this isn't turned into a movie. Two hours would never do justice to the story.

[GhostWritersDragon]

He likes to eat "sparingly" Yeah sure and I'm the Queen of England. Look at the size of him??? Does he look like he eats little??

[originaltbyrd]

so great to have a version in which you can understand the dialoge, thank you.

[Holyjerk]

Even Sarah Palin would enjoy the scene where they show nipples..

[Foozlethegreat]

Sian Phillips was absolutely astounding in this series, does she still act?

[JuustinH]

Six names in all: Tiberius, Claudius, Drusus, Nero, Germanicus, Caesar. That doesn't count the various nicknames "Idiot, Stammerer, Fool, Clau-Clau, etc."

[d3nv1]

Watched and loved this when repeated on BBC4 a couple of years ago !!! Couldn't see it on original run as not born ! Lol.... Superb drama. Hooked from first scene - now going to watch entire series in one-go over next 2/3 days ! Hoorah!!! HUGE THANKS, 100/5...

[Holyjerk]

Excellent over-acting.

[JuustinH]

By what alleged "method" do you declare this "over-acting?"

[vivienmerchant]

@JuustinH

Thanks for that. It's good acting by any criterion and you are absolutely right to defend it from people who don't understand the difference! Thanks again!

[JuustinH]

You're welcome.

I heard a rumor, recently that they are going to do a modern remake of "I Claudius." Can anyone confirm/deny?

[Fripitto]

Yes, I've heard it too. Apparently, it's not going to be another miniseries, but a big film instead. Jim Sheridan was mentioned as a possible director, as early as September 2008. IMDB says it's in development, so details are only on IMDB Pro. Would be great to see another Roman Epic!

[JuustinH]

Well, given Hollywood's record, we can only hope for the best. They can produce one a remake that actually lives up to the original. Or they could wreck it.

[tss77]

BBC Production shown on PBS Stations in the Colony's, Thank you Old Chap.

[tss77]

Yes I have seen Elizabeth R thank you for asking.

[tss77]

Best PBS Series ever made.

[JaneeAddy]

have you seen Elizabeth R. I think it's by the same director:)

[hillarychapman1]

where can I see Elizabeth R?

[JaneeAddy]

There are clips of it on You Tube. I found that it was directed by this same director and done by the BBC in installments like this production. If you're interested in Elizabeth I, it's reputed to be THE most accurate rendition. I ordered the series from either PBS or BBC. I believe it was filmed in 1971 and there are 4 dvds in the series. The fourth dvd has a nice interview with Glenda Jackson (genius actress) and amazing Tudor historian Alison Weir.

[VCHAGZ]

@tss77 it's BBC

[JohnnyR45]

Best tv can not be betterd by Hollwood

[kingdrewew]

finest acting..real acting..i watched these on tv years ago...seen brian blessed at theatre..i was deafened..lol..

[vbabe11111]

yes i agree. and to my disgust this great classic is going to be made into a movie next year. god i can just imagine how it will play out; sex in every scene and not enough focus on the real story or the depts of the characters. it will be a regular porn flick.

[BirchBarlow]

Say WHAT? Is it going to cover both books in one film? Oh, it really doesn't matter at this point.

[vbabe11111]

well at least i know now where the idea for extravagant cakes comes from: its was a roman thing.

[gothicblackrose]

This is my second time watching this series

[LouisPlume]

The greatest TV ever made ever, ever.......

[DieMaterialkralle]

greatest voice!

[matthewakisan]

This is great stuff!

[ThoughtTraveler]

I wonder how Robert Graves felt about this TV show based on his Novels?

[scifiactionbeyond]

one of the best shows ever.. i cant stop watching this.. got the dvd with the extras..

[seangrie8]

Not a fan of dramas,but i was allowed to stay up and watch this as a ten year old.

They had no choice.

[kalebullen]

im studying Agrippina for my HSC this is not fact more of gossip but its still worth watching =) i love claudius his such a cute old man

[MzTizzleCakez]

That is a long NAME.

[acerb45666555]

i read the book years ago. it was great!

[tomelty]

Quite simply the greatest television series ever made. And the books are stunning.

[marcostar57]

Such a fascinating series -- I saw it several years back on PBS and look forward to viewing it again..thanks for uploading it!

[miggerino]

Thank you soooo much for the upload. I love this show!

[PTFAbedeh]

Best theme song ever!

[KatanaGeldar]

sybills never spoke directly to someone, they'd always talk in some gibberish that was interpreted by a priest.

[pscucailin]

Wasnt Agrippa the same age thereabouts as Augustus?

[pscucailin]

Well Elisa, just looked it up and Agrippa was born in the same year as Augustus

[007InMiami]

According to wikipedia, Agrippa was 39 years old when this scene took place. I guess they chose an older actor so they can play up young Marcellus attacking the old military hero.

[piscean60]

much thanks to zeusbark for posting-

youtube has a classy shine thanks to postings like this-well done-

[piscean60]

the "sybills" were I believe priestesses

who could fortell the future

they wrote in verse and most of what they

prophesied came true

do not know whether role was passed on to the daughters or if someone was chosen,etc

Those with the talent supposedly lived in caves away from the general public-

for the publics safety- and theirs-

[dkfelix]

In Greece they were known as oracles i.e. the Oracle of Delphi made known through Homer. Today they are assumed to have been on drugs, when prophesieng.

[KatanaGeldar]

no, sybills existed in places other than delphi.

[dkfelix]

Never said they didn't

[Nerpha]

Yeah I heard that. Apparently their were some cracks in the cave floors through which some kind of vapours driffted up. It would not be the first time such people used chemical aids (knowingly or not) to see the future.

[dkfelix]

Yes, I heard too!

[plindy101]

i've got a stupid question. What or who is "sible" of whom claudius goes to for prophesy?

[jk2movies]

He sounds like tiber septim from oblivion the old man in the beginning

[andy7666]

Was that not Patrick Steward? He's in this series at a later stage..

[racingrubberbiker]

Check out Charles Laughton as Claudius (1937 - "The epic never made"), also a very great actor

[horusrage]

Brain Blessed = Augustus Ceasar

[chalomirof63]

"Brian ..."

[442462]

Caesar

[Chestsplitter]

Thx for the post!!....:D

I use to watch this shit all the time back in the day......

that was a long time ago thou 10 years ago......

this show gives me a nice nostalgic feeling....

[icwo]

thank you for posting!

[Ivor662]

The finest TV program ever made. Thanks so much for posting this. I bought the DVDs but lost touch with them following a martial separation. Jacobi gets all the raves but John Hurt, Brian Blessed, Sian Phillips, George Baker and Patrick Stewart are just as good IMO. Not a weeak performance anywhere and a fabulous script.

[zeusbark]

You welcome, I'm really glad that people can enjoy such an awesome show. Sorry about you losing your DVDs,

Subscribe!

[juangomez255]

Hiya Zeus, thanks for posting. I saw this when I was a kid, some 30 plus years ago. Is this the very first episode? Is this where the series begins?

Thanks

JC

[jstrahan2]

A "martial" separation? What, you had a difference of opinion on Kung-fu?

[ratontheleft]

@jstrahan2

It happens.

[evernetherall]

@Ivor662

Your "1 Yr. Ago" comment is as timely as ever! Really sparks my interest & upgrades my anticipation 2-C the rest of this 'enigmatic Claudius' episode! Thanks~2 for individ. naming cast members ~ I <3 the English ensemble style ~ seems always to deliver the best there is 2-an appreciative audience. Thank U, Ivor662! /^_~\\

[gusemcontra]

Thanks for the upload.

[eduardoargentino]

Dear Zeusbark thanks a lot for that serie i was waiting for it long time. Thanks!!!!

[zeusbark]

you welcome

[33544]

Hey I need to know is that Augustus Caesar celebrating the anniversary of Actium?

[F3YR3]

Those are both names regularly adopted by Roman emperors. But yes, it is Gaius Octavius Thurinus, who is best and usually the one known as Augustus.

[aure232]

He did actually wrote memoirs, dang, sad they are gone

[patvd95]

The only thing missing is Alistair Cook's intros on Masterpiece Theater...excellent...thanks for the posts

[phdseuss]

8:35 take the cake (i guess u can have your cake n eat it 2 )

Oh s*&% i cant believe i am finally lookin at I, Cladius. i use 2 c it listed in the tv guide when i was a kid but never thought of lookin at it. how i wish i did now. i use 2 wonder what it was about well now is my chance 2 find out (though i have gone thru high school n college n know that claudius was real n bout him) i plan on goin thru all of the episodes that u have here of it.THANK U THANK U VERY MUCH Zeusbark

[McGowan78]

Perhaps when you went through High School and College, you should have concentrated in your English classes. This post is atrocious.

[phdseuss]

y r u so ignorant? u 've nothin better to do with your life than send such ignorant replies?

[djm122270]

You are a saint! I prayed I'd find this here and lo and behold! Thank you so much!

[yourengland]

the holy trinity of bbc dramas! i claudius, brideshead revisited, the jewel in the crown.

[xximbyxx]

Errm... brideshead and jewel in the crown were both ITV though still amazing despite that!

[Arkady63]

Brilliant stuff!

Thank you so much for uploading this!

Derek Jacoby is brilliant.

[kellyofsiam]

BBC did Robert Graves proud on this. A great series from great books. Craig

[Jeorney]

I must have watched I Clavdivs a Thousand quinquagintaquadringentillion times. Unlike other films, with the exception of Lord of the Rings perhaps, I never get tired from watching it. The characters are like good pals now - even the baddies!

[ekkartsidonia]

Il libro di Graves ha segnato la mia adolescenza

[Zeriouslly]

I can't get over how great a masterpiece this series was. Made so cheaply without all the SFX and CGI and hordes of extras and sweeping visual scenes... yet so chillingly real. It just shows you what can be done with a mix of great actors, and Derek Jacobi just shines!

[MackerelCat]

thankyou thankyou thankyou I LOVE THIS

[eliza26]

Thanks for uploading this classic!

[maggiethefox]

Makes current History Channel peripheral docu-dramas look puerile....Childish. This was pre cable TV dumbing down. Pity todays kids.

[sparklingcolors]

I love I, Claudius. I watched it on Masterpiece Theatre years ago.

[Gourandor]

Dude, you've just made my evening!

[Stefanthenautilus]

Apparently Robert Graves thought that he channeled Claudius to write this (he originally appeared to him in a dream and demanded that his story be told), according to him. Believe it or not, it lends something extra to this story for me.

[Stefanthenautilus]

Wow, thanks for sharing this! It's been too long...

[zeusbark]

You welcome everybody, I'm just glad that people can enjoy of such a great show.

[obfuscation03]

A classic that is hard to find... thanks so much for sharing!!!

[xandervaliya]

Excellent work! I just finished seeing episode 1 and plan on seeing the others later.

I tell you, "I, Claudius" is the text book example of how to do a proper historical drama.

[Sibilla60]

Thanks! La prima puntata non l'avevo mai vista!!! Bellissima la sigla!

[SlowDaddie]

this is seriously awesome. i haven't seen this in like 15 years. thanks for posting.

Love that intro music too!

[OzTerri]

damn, this will be an epic long night on Youtube for me, now i have to watch every episode. i watched it 25 years and never missed an episode, was always pissed off when the half hour was over so quickly and i had to wait a week for the next one. cheers

[OzTerri]

* ... 25 years AGO