Review of Ancient Rome: The Rise And Fall Of An Empire

Introduction

Not to be confused with the BBC/HBO drama series `Rome`, this BBC documentary series, that has recently finished showing on BBC2, draws on historical documents by writers from Ancient Roman and, with the help of modern historians under the consultation of Cambridge University Professor Mary Beard, provides a comprehensive look at key events in the rise and fall of one of the largest empires the world has ever seen.

My knowledge of all things Roman is limited to first year history at secondary school and the few movies that have been set in Ancient Rome. Although many films and TV shows have been set in the second `great` empire (after the Macedonian Empire of Alexander), none have really pursued its rise and fall in great depth, however, thanks to `Monty Python`s The Life of Brian`, most people know that the Romans brought "sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health"!

In six hour-long episodes, `Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire` takes you through the transition from a republic to a dictatorship due to the actions of Caesar, and five of the key events which came to shape the Roman Empire.

Video

The anamorphic 1.78:1 transfer is very good despite some slight graining which was most noticeable in the first episode. The BBC have obviously provided the makers with a more than adequate special effects budget as the majority of CGI shots are beautifully rendered, with others standing out as obviously CGI.

Audio

The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo soundtrack is sufficient for this release as it has few `big` battle scenes and is dominated by dialogue and narration. A 5.1 mix would have been optimum but that would be a rarity, if not a first, for a DVD of a BBC TV show.

Features

Shockingly and sadly, there aren`t any. This is a real shame an a missed opportunity as I would have liked to hear from the historians involved and see how the filmmakers recreated the period.

Conclusion

`Up Pompeii` or `Carry on Cleo` this isn`t. The BBC has created an authoritative, revealing and interesting docu-drama series which taught me more about the Roman Empire than a whole year of secondary school education. Some may consider this concept to be `dry` and not wish to buy a six-hour history lesson, but I found it to be as entertaining as it was informative, thanks in no small part to the terrific acting by the likes of David Threlfall, Michael Sheen, Geraldine James and Sean Pertwee together with Alisdair Simpson`s narration.

Co-funded by the BBC, The Discovery Channel and the German TV station ZDF, this has high production values which are noticeable in the attention to detail of the costumes and props, the fine overall look of the show and the calibre of the actors employed.

I can heartily recommend this to anyone with a passing interest in the Romans and, despite the `12` certificate, would consider it almost essential viewing for anyone studying the period.