"Rome" The Stolen Eagle (2005)

Director:

Michael Apted

Writers:

John Milius (creator) and
William J. MacDonald (creator) ...

TV Series:

"Rome" (2005)

Original Air Date:

28 August 2005 (Season 1, Episode 1)

Genre:

Action | Drama | History | Romance | War

Plot:

In 52 BC., Caesar has just conquered Gaul. Two soldiers are enlisted to find the legion's stolen gold standard...

Plot Keywords:

Julius Caesar | Animal In Title | Sword And Sandal | Soldier | Controversy

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Kevin McKidd	...	Lucius Vorenus
Ray Stevenson	...	Titus Pullo
Polly Walker	...	Atia of the Julii
Kenneth Cranham	...	Pompey Magnus
Lindsay Duncan	...	Servilia of the Junii
Tobias Menzies	...	Marcus Junius Brutus
Kerry Condon	...	Octavia of the Julii
Karl Johnson	...	Porcius Cato
Indira Varma	...	Niobe
David Bamber	...	Marcus Tullius Cicero
Max Pirkis	...	Gaius Octavian
Lee Boardman	...	Timon
Nicholas Woodeson	...	Posca
Suzanne Bertish	...	Eleni
Paul Jesson	...	Scipio

Runtime:

52 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | Argentina:13 | USA:TV-MA | France:-12 (TV rating) | Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company:

Insomnia Media Group

Trivia:

Cato wears a black toga in contrast to other senators in order to stand apart from every other clique as a singular republican. This is historical fact.

Goofs:

Continuity: Cato is portrayed as a very old man during the series and older then Julius Caesar. However, the historical Cato was at least five years younger then Julius Caesar.

Quotes:

Marcus Tullius Cicero: When confronted by a hungry wolf, it is unwise to goad the beast, as Cato would have us do. But it is equally unwise to imagine the snarling animal a friend and offer your hand, as Pompey does.
Pompey Magnus: Perhaps you would have us climb a tree!

The foundations of a power struggle seesaw are laid

Firstly, I have no interest in accents or historical accuracy.

The aspect of Rome that stood out the most were the sets. The art direction and attention to detail are magnificent.

While that is probably a bad thing; I have always respected television shows that feel they need to put money into sets and detail.

Judging by the pilot, the story that will run throughout the duration of the series will be the power struggle between Gaius Julius Caesar, and Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus.

Rome is governed equally between these two men. Ceaser has been away at war in Gaul for eight years and has gained popularity due to his success. Pompeius is threatened and jealous and wishes to throw Ceaser out of government. The struggle begins.

My biggest problem with the pilot is the dialogue. I found it extremely amateur, many lines were dull or cringe worthy.

However the pilot kept my attention and I will give Rome a few more episodes to improve.