Customer Reviews
lavish production! 
2008-09-30
This show took my breath away and I just had to have it on DVD. A whole new world -- a world of blood and iron, of blazing sun and sinister shadow, of larger-than-life TRUE historical characters living and dying as human beings. All created and filmed in loving detail so that I felt I had really found a time warp to get back to one of my favorite historical periods. When I recommended this show to my friend, he said he didn't trust it because it ended after only two seasons -- but each season ended with a logical full stop in history so it made sense. No make-believe, no false drawing-out of the story to fill empty episodes like so many other TV series. When it's over, it's over -- except now I can enjoy it again with my DVDs. Whew! what a ride!
Great DVD Set 
2008-09-20
This is a great DVD set. Visually stunning and well written. I would recommend this to any adult who enjoys something a little "different". The acting is fantastic. If you like history you will like ROME. The sexual intonations in this show is quite interesting and can be very intense. Especially in how they treat the slaves. This show is not for the good little christian household.
If you shop for these two sets individually (Walmart, Target) you will pay about 79.00 for each, so getting them both at one time for 89.00 was a great deal.
A great two seasons 2008-09-18
I was skeptical that this series would be in any way historically accurate, but it surprised me. The general time-lines, major events, and most of the major characters are all true. The producers took some liberties (as is to be expected) with a few of the main characters and some events, but it is overall pretty acurate. Both seasons were interesting and grabbed my attention. They are both pretty bloody and have a lot of sex scenes, but they do not detract from the plot. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good TV series or to anyone interested in history.
quick & painless purchase 2008-09-17
I found the item I was looking for at a reasonble price and ordered it. It arrived quickly and as advertised. A quick and painless purchase.
HISTORICAL DRAMA 2008-09-04
I GOT THIS FOR MY HUSBAND AND HE LOVED THIS HBO SERIES. VERY BLOODY AND GORY SO NOT FOR YOUNG KIDS TO WATCH!
Slow at times but entertaining 2008-08-23
A generously budgeted show jointly produced by HBO and the BBC ROME takes viewers back to 52 B.C. for a chance to relive the reign of Julius Caesar. Details have been painstakingly researched to ensure accuracy so both history buffs and viewers less versed in the ways of Caesar should find something to enjoy here. The show also contains intricately woven plots fine acting and stunning recreations of the ancient city. This release contains the first two seasons of the show.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 026359795527 Manufacturer No: 97955
Riverting 2008-08-22
While (as some have pointed out) not historically accurate as purists may like, it still gives a fairly accurate (I believe) insight into life in Rome at that time. Of course it won't be perfectly accurate - otherwise it would be a history lesson rather than a TV series.
Most enjoyable and wish they would continue.
An alien world 2008-08-18
I'm trying this one again. I'm not sure why certain Amazon reviews don't seem to make it into print but this is one that didn't. In any event and in my humble opinion, "Rome" is one of the best things ever put on television. Because I chanced on an HBO episode, I subscribed to HBO. Now that HBO has cancelled this wonderful series after only two seasons, I will cancel my subscription to HBO.
The series takes us through some of the most climactic events of the Roman Empire i.e. the ascension of Julius Caesar, his corruption of the Republic, his assasination and the events up until Octavian's consolidation of power. The story, in its own way, is an 'upstairs, downstairs' kind of thing. We watch the aristocrats in their battles for power and status. At the same time we see lesser figures engaged in parallel power struggles.
Rome is, at the same time, a society familiar and alien to us. Motives of love and wealth are similar but Roman society, at all levels, is a complex of Mafia families vying for power. If you and your family win, there is a chance of securing the wealth of the world. Lose and you die, probably horribly.
Slavery is as common and unquestioned as is the brutality that accompanies almost everything. There is one fascinating scene in which the 'heroine' is having passionate sex with Marc Antony. She asks her elderly slave...who is watching patiently in the corner...for a glass of water. The slave, without changing expression, complies as the sex continues. Death is commonplace and life cheap. One soldier, ordered to murder Cicero, comments after the act what a pleasant and decent man Cicero was.
This video is great. Yes, there is soft core porn and violence but at least it isn't gratuitous. It adds to the genuine strangeness of the tale.
Ron Braithwaite author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico
One of the Greatest TV Shows Ever Made! 2008-08-13
This is simply a great TV show. I think it will be considered a great tragedy that it was cancelled so abruptly by HBO, but they still wrapped it up as well as they could. The story, both the historically accurate and the fictional stories are wonderful to behold. This show ironically introduced some of the finest actors from Britain to the United States. Now they are some pretty mediocre network TV shows. Shame on you HBO!
Rome - Seasons 1 & 2 2008-08-11
The first season is wonderful. Compared to other television shows, The First Season of Rome is very refreshing. Yes, there is gratuitous violence and sex, but it doesn't distract from the show and the content. In my opinion, these elements actually go a long way to depicting the brutality of the times. The characters are wonderfully crafted, especially Atia, Caesar, Lucius Vorenus, and Titus Pullo.
Another reviewer complained that they have annoying British accents which "do not fit because they are supposed to be Romans". I think the British accents work well, especially considering nobody speaks Latin anymore, and not too many people of the target audience speak Italian either. And I doubt any other English speaking accent would have been any better (could you imagine Australian? Or American? Or Irish? HAHA)
The Second Season of Rome is why I gave it only four stars. Something about it just wasn't as good as the first season. I am not able to quite put my finger on it, perhaps it was the death of Caesar (which had to happen, no doubt) or maybe it was the newer and older Octavian who I just could not come to enjoy watching (no matter how hard I tried).
Overall, it is still a great show. I personally think it should have ended after the first season. I gave it four stars because of the second season, even though it is still worth watching.
