Rome (2005)

Though every detail of this lush Roman epic feels palpably authentic, history lessons don’t loom overly large; what’s most enjoyable about it is how deftly it mixes soap opera with senatorial debates.

Turns like this take the series further into Aaron Spelling territory than it ever was, an idea that may offend those who can't let go of the notion that HBO is supposed to be better than regular TV.

This splendidly acted melodrama delivers a bloody good time barreling toward oblivion, delivering enough political intrigue, violence and sex to slake even the most debauched viewing appetites.

HBO's splendid Rome recounts Julius Caesar's battle for power with a gritty ferocity that's closer to The Godfather and The Sopranos than to costume epics of old. Following Don Corleone's example, this 12-episode series makes you an offer you can't refuse: It's the best new drama of the fall.

As good as Rome is -- and it's an epic, multilayered thing of beauty -- it's still not on the level of "The Sopranos" or "The Wire" or "Deadwood." That's almost an unfair comparison, but it's also true. On the other hand, "Rome" unfolds like a marvelously shot big-screen movie, each scene (filmed on location in Italy) dripping with money well spent and a meticulous grandeur that rewards you for paying extra for HBO.

As extravagant, enticing and chaotic as Rome itself, HBO's latest series boasts all the opulent pleasures that lavish expenditures of time and money can buy. Every detail in its re-creation of ancient Rome may not be correct, but the spirit and the overall picture ring true -- and the entertainment value resounds.

The only chink in the series' armour is the miscasting of Polly Walker as the evil Atia. She overacts so much, that it'll make you ache for Sian Phillips' long-ago portrayal as Livia in "I Claudius." While Rome's not as great as that old series, it's still deserves a helluva Hail Caesar!

Greetings from Lithuania. "Rome" (2005) is a series that i did watch back in the day when it came out back in 2005 i liked it very much. I've decided to revisit it in 2025 - for 20 years anniversary. And I wasn't disappointed by it to say the least, yet for me first season especially it's first half was much slower then second season. It was way to melodramatic and some episodes played like a soap opera. But later it did picked up, and especially second season was a blast.What i enjoyed most about it is the accuracy of historical events as well characterization of some historic and fictional characters. I liked how screenplay humanized everyone, gave reason for their actions. Set design was excellent and clearly a warm up to what came after - "Game of Thrones". Acting was great by everyone but for me the late great Ray Stevenson stood out. Music was excellent.Overall, there is a lot of what to enjoy in "Rome". The slower sections of first season does drag, but overall this is a great series about Rome. If you are into historic dramas with blood and nudity and historically accurate events, "Rome" is not to be missed out.

One of the first tv series I saw about history and really enjoyed it when I was younger

Günümüz izleyici için hala izlenebilir bir yapım mı tartışılır. Bence ortama ve altı bir yapımdı.

Was a good show that inspired shows like game of thrones, the historical accuracy was fantastic. The costumes are some of the best if not the best depiction of what ancient romans actually dressed like. The storyline is fairly good although in the mid to later episodes you start to see the budget restraints really show as the battle scenes don't quite live up to the grand spectacle the show seems to setup. Overall I wish we would get more shows like this.

This Roman history lesson is all you will ever get from Hollywood that is anywhere close to the truth. However, it still took artistic license too far in my ****'s one thing to have fictitious characters in a story to see it from a misanthropic perspective, or to help move it along, and it's another thing to mix fictitious characters into real events to make it more convenient for the story tellers.Writers, directors, and producers have a responsibility to their audience when they are presenting productions based on history...especially Roman history, because of the length of time they ruled the world, and how all other governments on this planet took some of Rome's example.Three things bothered me about this series: First, our two fictitious friends whose family, and enemies are so beautifully written to keep us all wanting more, should not be mingled in with the actual history itself. It's pandering, and misleading.Second: The new Octavian can't hold a candle to the original actor. I'm beginning to think that the first actor who played Octavian was too likable, and in history Octavian was not a likeable character. Or, perhaps he was just too young to play an adult leader. In either case, they did a terrible job replacing him. The the new actor had none of the seriousness, or smarts the original actor had, and he smiled in all the wrong places. I don't think I can even remember a scene in the 1st season where Octavian cracks a smile. He was all business, and damn good at it. The change almost ruined the 2nd season for me.Third: I loved the first season. It was glorious, and well done though the gratuitous sex, and violence may have been overdone a bit ...even though it was a big part of Rome... it's a big part of 'everywhere' and 'every time'. My main beef with season 2 besides the new Octavian character, is that it felt like they changed whomever was in charge of everything. It was slower, more repetitive, and edited like a drawn out soap **** film makers definitely lost some of their creative talent in season two. Still...this is about as good as it gets on television.

Season 1 is an easy 10/10. Fantastic characters, fantastic actors, great locations and sets and a story that never disappoints. Season 2 is a different matter, however. The sudden up-aging of Octavian felt very jarring, and the entire story seemed like a patchwork of ideas. It's not bad, but it falls short behind the first season.

very Good! Rome is a very detailed and historically accurate show that will keep you hooked throughout the series. It really is one of the most underrated tv shows ever created and a true masterpiece that is pretty much loved by anyone who has ever seen it. Just read through the reviews to see how loved this show really is! It's only two seasons long but those two seasons were damn near perfect! The acting, writing, directing, cinematography, production, etc. Are all fantastic. It doesn't get nearly the recognition it deserves because it wasn't advertised that much when it was on and pre social media so word of mouth was hard back then. I really can't say anything more that hasn't already been said about this terrific show except to just go watch it!

Must watch. Rome is an incredible show. Dont sleep on this one. An epic tale during the age of antiquity.

Wow, no reviews for Rome. Very good. Watch it people. My review must be at least 75 characters long.