Imperium: Augustus (2003)

Caesar Augustus tells of how he became the emperor to his reluctant daughter, Julia following the death of her husband Agrippa.

Director:

Roger Young

Writer:

Eric Lerner

Stars:

Peter O'Toole, Charlotte Rampling, Vittoria Belvedere

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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)

Storyline

In 42 BC Rome is in the middle of a civil war. Together with his friend AGRIPPA, the young Augustus goes to Spain in order to help JULIUS CAESAR in his struggle against the troops of POMPEY. Even though they are outnumbered, they manage to defeat Pompey. Caesar honours his adopted son Augustus with a triumphal entry into Rome and then sends him to Greece together with his friends Agrippa and Maecenas. There, Augustus hears the news of Caesar's assassination and he returns to Rome with his friends. Back in Rome, he is able to gain both the support of the people and political power. In his struggle with the conspirators against Caesar he finds an ally in MARC ANTONY. Marc Antony not only pursues BRUTUS and CASSIUS, he also initiates a wave of executions which practically eliminates the old Roman ruling class. Among those who are killed is the husband of LIVIA DRUSILLA, a woman with whom Augustus had been in love as a young man. Through a combination of good luck and chance, Augustus and...

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Plot Keywords:

grandmother murders grandson | caesar augustus | reference to augustus caesar | reference to augustus | reference to caesar augustus | 

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Taglines:

History will bear the mark of his rule.

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some war violence

Details

Country:

Italy Germany France Spain Austria

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 November 2003 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Augustus

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lux Vide, Rai Fiction, EOS Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

200 min 177 min (cut) 161 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Titus Vossberg based the villa decoration on actual Roman decorations. The wall painting of the study, the atrium, Augustus' bedroom and Julia's bedroom were all inspired by the authentic wall paintings that originally came from a villa belonging to Agrippa and Julia.

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Goofs

When Agrippa, Octavius and Maecenas are hiding in a fish cart, someone taps the side on the cart so they know when to climb out but Agrippa tells Maecenas to hurry before they're seen. As they are climbing out, two crew members can be seen holding the sides still to stop the three men falling over.

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Quotes

Augustus: Octavia? Octavia! I sent the carriage...
Octavia: Yes, you did.
Augustus: But you're walking.
Octavia: Yes, I am.
Augustus: Why?
Octavia: I decided to walk on foot, so all of Rome can see the woman who was betrayed by her child brother.

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Connections

Followed by St. Peter (2005)

User Reviews

Movie in the style of Lion of Winter

One of the best movies I've seen since Lion of Winter with Katherine Hepburn. Peter O'Toole's performance is on par with her performance. Altogether a magnificent movie with lush sets and sterling acting from a host of actors unknown in the United States. I'm particularly enamored of Ken Duken as the you Agrippa and would like to see more from him.

A great blend of the full range of human emotions humor included at just the appropriate moment to keep it from becoming depressing.

I highly recommend this movie - do be aware, however that it is very long - although worth every minute.