Julius
Caesar’s Rome (The History Channel)
Picture: C+
Sound: B- Extras: C- Shows: B
The History Channel digs into its archive to offer Julius
Caesar’s Rome, a double DVD set that starts with the Caesar installment of Biography,
then ads a piece on Antony & Cleopatra on DVD 1, followed by the new
4-part title program on DVD 2. Because
of this, we are counting the shows in the first volume as part of the main
program offerings, especially since there is not much overlap.
The Biography segment is solid and was made in
1998, while the Antony & Cleopatra runs 90 minutes and is a British
co-production from 2002. Both are fine
programs with the usual informative writing and amusing recreations of the
past. The new program is more expansive
and in the following four parts:
1) The
Republic Of Rome
2) Age Of
Emperors
3) Building
An Empire
4) The
Enduring Legacy
This mini-series was also produced in 1998 and holds up
very well years later. So many dramatic
feature films have attempted and often failed to capture the time, but this
series sticks to the facts, the basics, solid research and achieves so much
more for much less. Jack Perkins
narrates the rise and fall of Caesar in great detail, running over three hours
altogether. It also breaks down the
eras of rule in a way that is both scholarly and referential. All in all, the sum of the programs live up
to the high quality standards, which means you get your money’s worth.
The image is 1.33 X 1 throughout, originating on
professional analog video throughout, give or take old film clips. The difference between the 1998 and 2002
footage is very small. The Dolby
Digital 2.0 Stereo throughout is high quality, but the mini-series from DVD 2
tends to have surround information the sister shows do not. The only extra is a timeline of The Roman
Empire, but much more could have been added despite the thoroughness of the
set. Otherwise, a fine set.
- Nicholas Sheffo
