Imperium: Augustus (2003) (TV)

Director:

Roger Young

Writer (WGA):

Eric Lerner (written by)

Release Date:

30 November 2003 (Italy)

Genre:

Drama | History | Romance | War

Tagline:

History will bear the mark of his rule.

Plot:

Caesar Augustus (O'Toole) tells of how he became the emperor to his reluctant daughter, Julia (Belvedere) following the death of her husband Agrippa (Duken).

Plot Keywords:

Daughter | Enemy | Ancient Rome | Roman Empire | Marriage Of Convenience

Cast

Peter O'Toole	...	Augustus Caesar
Charlotte Rampling	...	Livia Drusilla
Vittoria Belvedere	...	Julia Caesaris
Benjamin Sadler	...	Gaius Octavius / Young Augustus
Ken Duken	...	Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa
Russell Barr	...	Gaius Maecenas
Juan Diego Botto	...	Iullus Antonius
Martina Stella	...	Young Livia
Valeria D'Obici	...	Atia
Michele Bevilacqua	...	Tiberius
Riccardo De Torrebruna	...	Decimus
Giampiero Judica	...	Scipio
Vanni Materassi	...	Musa
Elena Ballesteros	...	Octavia
Gérard Klein	...	Julius Caesar (as Gerard Klein)

Also Known As:

Augustus (Australia) (DVD box title) (USA) (video title)
Augustus - El primer emperador (Spain) (DVD title)
Augustus: The First Emperor (UK) (DVD title)
Imperium: Augusto (Italy)
Mein Vater, der Kaiser (Germany)
Mi padre, el emperador (Spain)
My Father the Emperor (UK) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for some war violence.

Runtime:

200 min | Argentina:180 min | USA:178 min | UK:177 min (cut) | Spain:161 min (DVD edition)

Country:

Germany | Italy | Spain | Austria | France | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

UK:15 (DVD release) | UK:12 (cut UK version) | UK:15 (uncut) | USA:R (DVD and VHS) | Spain:13 | Australia:M | Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Company:

EOS Entertainment

Trivia:

The full German title "Augustus - Mein Vater, der Kaiser" literally means in English "Augustus - My Father, the Emperor." The title "My Father, the Emperor" was originally going to be the international English title, but distributors felt that "Augustus" was more suitable.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The legions in the founding of the Second Triumvirate are going into battle but not carrying their standards. Roman legions *always* carried their standards.

Quotes:

[Octavius has broken his ribs]
Agrippa: Lie down! If you take a direct hit, you're dead!
Maecenas: He can't stay in the tent.
Agrippa: What would you know? You never leave this tent!
Maecenas: *I* am not Caesar's nephew - he just has to make an appearance, appearance is everything.
Agrippa: You're right.
Maecenas: [sarcastically] Am I really? Oh, high praise from the great warrior!

Movie Connections:

Version of "Empire" (2005)

It's a good historical and overlong television film

The movie deals upon Octavio Augusto's(Peter O'Toole)epic life since the first triumvirate: 'Craso,Pompeyo and Julio Cesar'. Julius Caesar(Gerard Klein) and Augustus -nephew and heir of Cesar- fight against Pompeyo who's vanquished in Munda and Farsalia. At the 'Idus of March' Julio Cesar is killed by Bruto and Casio .Marco Antonius(Maximo Ghini) and Augustus defeat them in Filipos.

The second triumvirate is formed : Marco Antonio rules over Egypt, Lepido in Africa and Augustus governs over Rome and Hispania where he defeats Cantabros and Astures. Marco Antonius is married to Octavia (Elena Ballesteros), Augustus's sister. After that, Marco Antonio is wedded to Cleopatra but they are defeated by Augustus in ¨Actium¨. Octavio Augusto married Livia (Charlotte Rampling)who had formerly given birth one son, named Tiberio. Julia, who was born in a previous marriage of Octavio, marries general Agripa and had two children: Cayo and Lucio, early deceased. Tiberius will inherit the empire.

The runtime movie is overlong , it's a bit boring but it will appeal to history buffs. It's an European co-production made by some countries: Germany,France, Spain and England. Direction by Roger Young is nice, first rate set design , the film is very atmospheric, Roman time is well designed. Cinematography and Pino Donaggio's music is excellent. Rating 6,5. Charming, well worth seeing.