I had a totally different reaction than yours. I didn't laugh. Rather, I sat there, totally STUNNED at what I was watching. For me, the "I, Claudius Dance" as we call it, is one of most shocking moments we've ever seen because of its sheer outrageousness. It was a brilliant performance in one of the best miniseries ever made.
When I saw this, I was completely unprepared for the shock. I thought one of them was going to get tortured or something (turns out they ALL got tortured, in a manner of speaking). Caligula leaping out of the shadows in drag NEVER GETS OLD.
The looks on their faces when Caligula finishes the dance.They almost forget that they have to applaud.They were so shocked because they they were waiting for their throats to be cut." Oh god of gods Never have I witnessed such a performance" yes Claudius you never did see such a performance. The whole scene is a work of genius that could only be filmed by the BBC.
I love the bewildered looks on their faces.They thought they were going to be horribly tortured and executed.I Loved the whole series of I claudius and this was one of the best scenes. I wonder did the actors know that caligula was going to dance like that. The best acting in a series ever.I havent seen this scene for thirty years and still remember the looks of complete bewilderment on the three faces and caligula s expectant look as his divinity is exposed to the world.
@TheGrunge619 I suppose you watched the video because Claudius and the two senators do look like they were being tortured. They knew if they told anyone Caligula would certainly execute them.
As incredibly epic as this series can be, never ever show it to high schoolers. Even the most . . . 'cultured' among us, weren't able to avoid the frantic giggling and pure WTF.
I had a different reaction the first time I saw the "Caligula Dance". I didn't laugh. Instead, I sat there totally STUNNED at the sheer outrageousness of it all. It is perhaps the ONLY time my mouth dropped open while watching something. Since then, a 'Caligula Dance' is a euphamism for a shocking moment in film/tv. It's all brilliant: the acting, the directing, the story. I, Claudius is the greatest miniseries ever made.
From what I have read, Caligula started his reign as a fairly rational (for a member of the Julian family, at any rate) and level headed ruler. He was known as somewhat vindictive and petulant, but consider the snake pit he was raised in, that is not surprising. It wasn't until a few years later when he came down with what was described as "a fever" and nearly died did he go completely off the rails. It seems a very plausible theory that his madness was due to this illness..
I'll do that, if I do decide to upload them. The only reason I wouldn't is because there's just so many, but even if I don't, I'll still post a link, maybe on my sidebar as well as a specific post. That way, there will be a permanent link for people to go to when they come to my blog if they're interested.
By the way, I think in reality, it was Agrippina who killed Germanicus. I can't buy the Caligula theory. Still made for a great show though (Some Justice).
Great, but you cut it off too quick. Claudius kissing up to him is almost as funny as the dance scene. By all means, upload the whole series. This really takes me back.
@Athenesword Hi, I actually uploaded the whole series, some episodes are a bit out of sync, but you can sync them manually. Check my channel, all the episodes are there.
@zeusbark Cool. I have a blog and I might upload them to it, if that's all right with you. It would be just here and there if I do it, but I'll do them in order, and of course there'll be links to your page. Let me know.
@Athenesword You can upload them into your blog, no problem. The reason I uploaded them was so people could enjoy them. You don´t even need to have links to my page, just have links to the youtube videos for people who like to watch them there. I really don´care about my number of views or subscribers, I just want people to enjoy this classical series as much as I did.
One of the greatest scenes in all film and television history...
Let me just say that I'm appalled at the lack of manners at the comments here. There are many remarks about how zeusbark should synch the sound, upload this, fix that, etc. In my opinion, there should be as many remarks THANKING zeusbark instead of complaining. So, zeusbark, thank you for uploading such a classic scene.
Only problem I see with this indes ..... ribable moment is that we don't get to hear Claudius so describe it. Magnificent. A preview of the Palin presidency., only with bigger boobs.
Reminds me of what I heard about Nero reciting poetry to literally captive audience, in fact I heard of a story after Nero was in Hades being hammered into a snake Zeus stepped in and ordered because he was a poet that he should be hammered into a frog (makes sense if you're Roman.) I'd hate to think what they hammered Caligula into....
One of the best scenes in the entire series- Caligula's dance, that is, the part before he comes on makes me cringe. Holding hands- Caligula must have thought "What a bunch of sissies!"
Como lo menciona un comentarista, hay que tener calidad, imaginación, histrionismo y coraje para hacer este papel, ...Recien me entero que John Hurt caracterizó al Narrador de cuentos más de 20 años despues.
Woo-ha! I first saw this in 1992 and it had me cracking up. "Oh, I wasn't going to kill you. I just had you waiting two hours, so that you could see my campy drag act!"
I first became aware of the gifted British actor Johh Hurt when this BBC miniseries first played American TV in the late 70's - early 80's. Fell in love with it, as most viewers did. What a dynamite cast & script. They did a lot with their limited budget. A much better film than the multimillion dollar pornographic movie "Caligula" which was released around the same time. Of course, the BBC version had the original book by Robert Graves as inspiration. 'nuff said!
Caligula's dance is inspired. Wonderful choreography. Costumes and stage effects sublime. The performance was expressive, spiritual and technically brilliant. The dramatic tension intensified the pleasure I derived from every moment. Was Caligula divine? Who could doubt it.
He's no Tim Curry, but not bad in that outfit. My mother sat me down to watch I Claudius, and we watched all of them in one sitting because I loved them so much.
Wonderful series . . . Hurt is absolutely brilliant.
According to an interview that comes with the DVD release, he had at first turned down the role. The director (or producer) invited him to the cast party anyway, thrown at the production's beginning, not the end, and Hurt said he could feel "the electricity."
He asked to be reconsidered, and the director (or producer) said "that's what I was hoping you'd say."
Blessed says of the series that God looked down and said "Perfect."
LOL. And then this happened and I had to put the DVD on pause. WTF!!! Thank you, zeusbark, (zeuuuuuuuusy) for all the clips from this outstanding series.
Great acting, although I doubt its historic likelihood. The music and singing are not of roman times. Anyway, I was a teenager when I watched this series it was my favorite then and probably will be my favorite in all my lifetime, I also read the Greaves´Books and became a fun of historical roman novels.
It's not creepy at all! It's HILARIOUS! And leave Caligula ALONE! He was mentally ill, and therefore couldn't help what he did. And I am studying Roman emperors at university so I know what I am talking about!
You're welcome. I feel sorry for Caligula because he had a lot of problems- he was clearly emotionally unstable, and he suffered from epilepsey. I think he should be pitied.
The sound track is out of sync...and there are some blank sections with lips moving. Fix it, and this is a great scene....funny and menacing at the same time.
I can imagine Obama pulling off something like this....
VivaLaTrumpet 2 weeks ago
I had a totally different reaction than yours. I didn't laugh. Rather, I sat there, totally STUNNED at what I was watching. For me, the "I, Claudius Dance" as we call it, is one of most shocking moments we've ever seen because of its sheer outrageousness. It was a brilliant performance in one of the best miniseries ever made.
GallifreyExile 1 month ago
Uh, what just happened here? And that thing in the gold two piece-WHAT THE HELL??Is that a "man" or a "woman"?
gotch09 1 month ago
I don't know why but when he says "Thank you that's a great comfort to me." I laugh a little.
StarTrekkin94 2 months ago
I would rather be executed than have to be a witness to this spectacle.
ArmyJames 2 months ago
@ArmyJames All I can say is THANK GOD we men aren't obliged to dress like that for ANY occasion lol
Noodles37UK 2 months ago
Freeze the vid at 3:06. From left to right:
ONLY THE DEAD KNOW PEACE FROM THIS EVIL
WAT
IVE SEEN SO SHIT MAN
And then all three of them starts clapping made me lose it.
BathedinSin 2 months ago
I'll be buggered- it's Mr Formile out of George and Mildred.
notmemate 4 months ago
I think I'm in love!
AmusedChild 4 months ago
story of my life! do you have the springsteen version?
APerfectAsss 4 months ago
When I saw this, I was completely unprepared for the shock. I thought one of them was going to get tortured or something (turns out they ALL got tortured, in a manner of speaking). Caligula leaping out of the shadows in drag NEVER GETS OLD.
Lammy4ever7 5 months ago
anyone notice how quickly the singer was in getting away?
AppreciateMuch 5 months ago
My local PBS station haven't aired this series in 13 years. Classic series!
Renagade70 6 months ago
The looks on their faces when Caligula finishes the dance.They almost forget that they have to applaud.They were so shocked because they they were waiting for their throats to be cut." Oh god of gods Never have I witnessed such a performance" yes Claudius you never did see such a performance. The whole scene is a work of genius that could only be filmed by the BBC.
TheGrunge619 7 months ago
I think I would end up getting killed by Caligula anyway-- I couldn't keep a straight face during this for the world.
SignoraPsycheZenobia 7 months ago
Hahaha... So funny... I thing what this is a of the best scenes of this serie... :D
TheRSDM 7 months ago
a shame the part of c letting the girl marry claudius is cut off, claudius' face was really great then
but,,, thanls alot for uploading dear <3
MusicFreakthe4th 8 months ago
I wonder what happened ,if you shouted "BOOOOHHH....."
scrumsie 8 months ago 2
PARTY HARD!
TheChikinfish 9 months ago
He looks like Baby Jane Hudson.
Mazeppa4 9 months ago
this scene was epic.
3piper 9 months ago
thumbs up if you knew this is Ollivander from Harry Potter!
cebnittany327 10 months ago
this is olivander...what are they taking in the wizard world
cebnittany327 10 months ago
I wonder if this would sync well to Michael Jackson
ilikzim 10 months ago
Ye Gods, I remember watching this ages abgo on PBS and thinking how brilliant it was. It still is, the acting is just incredible.
Johnmartine63 1 year ago
When Hurt sprang into view, my jaw DROPPED lol!
Kelly14UK 1 year ago
oh that Caligula,
AppreciateMuch 1 year ago
A bit campy
preluki 1 year ago
@preluki You're joking right?
3baxcb 11 months ago
He's a cross between Helen Mirren and James Harries.
Messylin 1 year ago
I love the bewildered looks on their faces.They thought they were going to be horribly tortured and executed.I Loved the whole series of I claudius and this was one of the best scenes. I wonder did the actors know that caligula was going to dance like that. The best acting in a series ever.I havent seen this scene for thirty years and still remember the looks of complete bewilderment on the three faces and caligula s expectant look as his divinity is exposed to the world.
TheGrunge619 1 year ago
@TheGrunge619 I suppose you watched the video because Claudius and the two senators do look like they were being tortured. They knew if they told anyone Caligula would certainly execute them.
3baxcb 11 months ago
LMAO CALIGULA WAS TRIPPING ON SOME SERIOUS SHIT
Gingie4life 1 year ago 6
tehn they suck to the noxious fag hysterical
deltapunk21 1 year ago
As incredibly epic as this series can be, never ever show it to high schoolers. Even the most . . . 'cultured' among us, weren't able to avoid the frantic giggling and pure WTF.
escape421521 1 year ago
O Zeusbark of posters most fair we thank you for this each day...
mkervelegan 1 year ago 6
@mkervelegan You welcome, glad everyone can enjoy this
zeusbark 11 months ago
I had a different reaction the first time I saw the "Caligula Dance". I didn't laugh. Instead, I sat there totally STUNNED at the sheer outrageousness of it all. It is perhaps the ONLY time my mouth dropped open while watching something. Since then, a 'Caligula Dance' is a euphamism for a shocking moment in film/tv. It's all brilliant: the acting, the directing, the story. I, Claudius is the greatest miniseries ever made.
GallifreyExile 1 year ago
I just love the line:
"What do you think he's going to do with us?"
Claudius: "I dont know...I only hope it's quick!!!!"
zooeyhall 1 year ago 3
From what I have read, Caligula started his reign as a fairly rational (for a member of the Julian family, at any rate) and level headed ruler. He was known as somewhat vindictive and petulant, but consider the snake pit he was raised in, that is not surprising. It wasn't until a few years later when he came down with what was described as "a fever" and nearly died did he go completely off the rails. It seems a very plausible theory that his madness was due to this illness..
archer1949 1 year ago
I'll do that, if I do decide to upload them. The only reason I wouldn't is because there's just so many, but even if I don't, I'll still post a link, maybe on my sidebar as well as a specific post. That way, there will be a permanent link for people to go to when they come to my blog if they're interested.
By the way, I think in reality, it was Agrippina who killed Germanicus. I can't buy the Caligula theory. Still made for a great show though (Some Justice).
Athenesword 1 year ago
Great, but you cut it off too quick. Claudius kissing up to him is almost as funny as the dance scene. By all means, upload the whole series. This really takes me back.
Athenesword 1 year ago 8
@Athenesword Hi, I actually uploaded the whole series, some episodes are a bit out of sync, but you can sync them manually. Check my channel, all the episodes are there.
Cheers!
zeusbark 1 year ago 4
@zeusbark Cool. I have a blog and I might upload them to it, if that's all right with you. It would be just here and there if I do it, but I'll do them in order, and of course there'll be links to your page. Let me know.
Athenesword 1 year ago
@Athenesword You can upload them into your blog, no problem. The reason I uploaded them was so people could enjoy them. You don´t even need to have links to my page, just have links to the youtube videos for people who like to watch them there. I really don´care about my number of views or subscribers, I just want people to enjoy this classical series as much as I did.
When you do upload them send me the link.
Have a good one!
zeusbark 1 year ago
@Athenesword Too true....Claudius brown-nosing for his life is really funny!
12taylorst 3 months ago
Claudius : Never have I witnessed a dance that gave me such pleasure.
Caligula: Did you like it?
Claudius: It was indescribable.
jdewitt77 1 year ago 10
One of the greatest scenes in all film and television history...
Let me just say that I'm appalled at the lack of manners at the comments here. There are many remarks about how zeusbark should synch the sound, upload this, fix that, etc. In my opinion, there should be as many remarks THANKING zeusbark instead of complaining. So, zeusbark, thank you for uploading such a classic scene.
nolaughingmatter 1 year ago 4
@nolaughingmatter You Welcome! :)
zeusbark 1 year ago
>The sound track is out of sync...and there are some blank sections with lips moving.
Jesus Christ, It's you tube! If you have a issue stop being a LEECH and buy it:
F@g!
drfink100 1 year ago
Three Guyz - "wtf"
HerrQuixota 1 year ago
Comment removed
Kathrinoyo 1 year ago
Only problem I see with this indes ..... ribable moment is that we don't get to hear Claudius so describe it. Magnificent. A preview of the Palin presidency., only with bigger boobs.
GHLIII 1 year ago
omg i would have had a heart attack! i would have fallen out of my chair and died laughing, or screaming in terror. or confusion either way
OnePeicePiret 1 year ago
Reminds me of what I heard about Nero reciting poetry to literally captive audience, in fact I heard of a story after Nero was in Hades being hammered into a snake Zeus stepped in and ordered because he was a poet that he should be hammered into a frog (makes sense if you're Roman.) I'd hate to think what they hammered Caligula into....
schizoidboy 1 year ago
I bet they were really frightened to say anything other than what would amount to ' this is really good'. Lol! Brilliant!
27manlover 1 year ago
hurt is such an epic actor :)
Foozlethegreat 1 year ago
Where is this mans knighthood?? such an underated actor!!!!!!
brettishgal 1 year ago
beautiful!
pighardcore 1 year ago
har har, silly brits!
alvicious 1 year ago
My God! Poor John Hurt! He had to do a Caligula's dance.
Applause for him.
Agugasek 1 year ago
@Agugasek Actually, I think he did his own makeup! He wanted it more outlandish than the makeup artists were doing it.
alexandrakl 1 year ago
@alexandrakl Really? :) If this is true, I should make him a postument - "for most wicked actor".
Agugasek 1 year ago
@Agugasek Yeah, he talks about it in "I, Claudius, A television epic" on youtube. It's in part 4, at about the 5 minute mark.
alexandrakl 1 year ago
@alexandrakl Thanks!
Agugasek 1 year ago
Funniest thing in the whole series.
John Hurt is not a snob.
bookkeeper57 1 year ago
...such profound spiritual pleasure!
Jemmer1000 2 years ago
One of the best scenes in the entire series- Caligula's dance, that is, the part before he comes on makes me cringe. Holding hands- Caligula must have thought "What a bunch of sissies!"
verkaforever 2 years ago
Yeah bro zeusbark!upload them all!!!
EVEROSFP1 2 years ago
Como lo menciona un comentarista, hay que tener calidad, imaginación, histrionismo y coraje para hacer este papel, ...Recien me entero que John Hurt caracterizó al Narrador de cuentos más de 20 años despues.
jolivop 2 years ago
i have this song stuck in my head and the image makes me smile
i don't care that caligula was real
BEST CHARACTER EVER!
bullbunnies 2 years ago 3
Very Funny.
americangalbasseyfan 2 years ago
Nobody ever played Caligula like john Hurt!
mymagnoliatree 2 years ago 6
Woo-ha! I first saw this in 1992 and it had me cracking up. "Oh, I wasn't going to kill you. I just had you waiting two hours, so that you could see my campy drag act!"
manboobbear 2 years ago 5
I first became aware of the gifted British actor Johh Hurt when this BBC miniseries first played American TV in the late 70's - early 80's. Fell in love with it, as most viewers did. What a dynamite cast & script. They did a lot with their limited budget. A much better film than the multimillion dollar pornographic movie "Caligula" which was released around the same time. Of course, the BBC version had the original book by Robert Graves as inspiration. 'nuff said!
JubalCalif 2 years ago 14
is he pregnant?
maritakeningale 2 years ago
LOL
StrictlyForADULTS 2 years ago
I tried to adopt the same coy expression during my last evaluation at work...
mkervelegan 2 years ago 6
We were friggin cracking up in latin when this came on...
moooochan4 2 years ago 6
@moooochan4 us tooooo!!!
sam30317 2 years ago
Wild.
Jitpring 2 years ago
wtf lol
broadband01 2 years ago 5
LMAO @ those hypocrites applauding like mad after C's weird gay dance :-)
Guess the threat of instant death can make you apppreciate just about anything.
Bjovolf 2 years ago 7
Comment removed
reverendgraham 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
How do you figure they are hypocrites?
reverendgraham 2 years ago
Caligula's dance is inspired. Wonderful choreography. Costumes and stage effects sublime. The performance was expressive, spiritual and technically brilliant. The dramatic tension intensified the pleasure I derived from every moment. Was Caligula divine? Who could doubt it.
melindaTG 2 years ago 5
john hurt is the most underated actor i know of. his gift of art in acting is just mind blowing! tim curry has is own style as well. bravo!
glynamus 2 years ago 5
He's no Tim Curry, but not bad in that outfit. My mother sat me down to watch I Claudius, and we watched all of them in one sitting because I loved them so much.
RainbowSmite525 2 years ago
My god, I still can't believe John Hurt did that! The man has balls, even in drag. That's the thing about I Claudius - the cast!
PhillAlexandros 2 years ago 8
Was John Hurt even nominated for a BAFTA back in 1976 for Caligula? He sure deserved to be.
007InMiami 2 years ago 16
I love Claudius' line in this scene:
"What do you think he's going to do to us?", one guy asks.
"I don't know!", replies Claudius. "I only hope it's quick!"
zooeyhall 2 years ago 5
Wonderful series . . . Hurt is absolutely brilliant.
According to an interview that comes with the DVD release, he had at first turned down the role. The director (or producer) invited him to the cast party anyway, thrown at the production's beginning, not the end, and Hurt said he could feel "the electricity."
He asked to be reconsidered, and the director (or producer) said "that's what I was hoping you'd say."
Blessed says of the series that God looked down and said "Perfect."
I agree.
bbmaven 2 years ago 5
It's hilarious how they think it's the end and then.... LOL
nolaughingmatter 2 years ago
I barfed.
DevilSilver33 2 years ago
Oh My God. Thats completely mad!
Agugasek 2 years ago 4
This is awesome! Just the look on Claudius' face :D
Avaritia7 2 years ago 2
Dear god that is soooo disturbing. In a hilarious way. O.O
PekaSairroc 2 years ago
King Leonidas should kill him.. haha
alvinpaul41 2 years ago
LOL. And then this happened and I had to put the DVD on pause. WTF!!! Thank you, zeusbark, (zeuuuuuuuusy) for all the clips from this outstanding series.
yes4albert 2 years ago
Don't be so horrid! I've said it before and I say it again; he couldn't help it! If someone is emotionally unstable it is not their fault.
verkaforever 2 years ago
One of the best Masterpiece Theatre presentations ever. Faithful to Graves' books and the history of Rome.
Acting is outstanding. John Hurt is incredible as the truly crazy Caligula.
hardingtess 2 years ago 2
Great acting, although I doubt its historic likelihood. The music and singing are not of roman times. Anyway, I was a teenager when I watched this series it was my favorite then and probably will be my favorite in all my lifetime, I also read the Greaves´Books and became a fun of historical roman novels.
powerdriller10 2 years ago
I have loved this for 30 years!!!
On the documentary, JH said he did the make-up himself.
Livia147 2 years ago 5
This is bizarre&mesmirizing in equal measure!!
Credit to JohnHurt for being able to act this scene!!!
NJD1967 2 years ago 5
It's HELEN MIRREN!!
AdArmand 3 years ago
you know what makes this fucking creepy? That real guy was even worst
Gnomelord0 3 years ago
It's not creepy at all! It's HILARIOUS! And leave Caligula ALONE! He was mentally ill, and therefore couldn't help what he did. And I am studying Roman emperors at university so I know what I am talking about!
verkaforever 2 years ago
thank you for saying that. Caligula takes too much crap from people, it wasn't his fault.
gialla111 2 years ago
You're welcome. I feel sorry for Caligula because he had a lot of problems- he was clearly emotionally unstable, and he suffered from epilepsey. I think he should be pitied.
verkaforever 2 years ago
the pair of you are fucklin mental, the guy should have been strangled at birth! its ok u dont have to praise him he isnt listening lol!
adyingbreed82 2 years ago
HAHAHAHA
John Hurt was hilarious in the scene
stevebarat 3 years ago
i like the music what is its name?
tsUUd 3 years ago
The sound track is out of sync...and there are some blank sections with lips moving. Fix it, and this is a great scene....funny and menacing at the same time.
followthefleet 3 years ago
I would if I knew how, sorry about that
zeusbark 3 years ago
Peter Greenaway built his entire career on this scene!
tigerboy1966 3 years ago
You cut out the punchline!
"Did you like it?
"It was indescr-cr-cribable!"
BloodyMargie 3 years ago 3
this is, by far, the best scene
hippona 3 years ago
Please upload the rest of the episodes as well!Thanks in advance.
TokyoBoots321 3 years ago
The first episode is already fully uploaded, and I'm currently working on the second one, just check my videos
zeusbark 3 years ago
just watched this episode on dvd made me burst out laughing
zaohragein 3 years ago
Helen Mirren dances beautifully here ;)
AdArmand 3 years ago
YAY! Thank you!
AdorableMadCapFiance 3 years ago
I would love it if you uploaded the whole thing on here!
AdorableMadCapFiance 3 years ago
I will, it will take some time but I´ll keep you updated :)
zeusbark 3 years ago
The sound and video are out of sync
amelorn 3 years ago
sorry about that, I have no idea how that happened.
zeusbark 3 years ago