Rome (TV Series) (DVD)

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Visually stunning, superbly acted and brilliantly packaged, HBO´s "Rome: The Complete Series" is without question a winner. The short lived but extremely popular and well-received television show is now out on DVD in a complete box set collection (previously, the two seasons were released independently) that will no doubt impress you from start to finish. Spread out over eleven jam-packed discs, "Rome" will leave an impression you won´t soon forget.

As a series, this was an interesting partnership between Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI), HBO and BBC. It brought production teams, funds and actors from multiple countries together and ended up with a culturally diverse approach to what was perhaps history´s most well-known and powerful government. "Rome" pulled in high ratings wherever it was shown, and despite running only two seasons and twenty-two episodes, it received nominations and awards from the following entities between 2005 and 2008: Art Directors Guild, Directors Guild of America, Golden Globes, Satellite Awards, Screen Actors Guild, Visual Effects Society, Writers Guild of America, Emmys, British Academy Television Awards, Cinema Audio Society Awards and the Royal Television Society. Yeah, it was kind of a big deal.

Anytime a movie or television show uses a historical event or place to set itself up crosses my desk, I´m slightly skeptical. Is the series really about this event or place, or does it just use it and create some fake men and women who prance around, chat about other real events or places and ultimately encounter the big elephant standing in the corner? Movies like "Pearl Harbor" and "Titanic" immediately come to mind as examples. "Rome" does some of this, but not to the degree most films like to. Its specialty is historical authenticity, not necessarily historical accuracy. There´s some overlap, and it´s healthy to see the series take real persons from Roman history under its wing and utilize their documented actions in a new, but historically authentic, capacity. At times it´s overdone, but after all, in its simplest form, this is drama.

The series is very, very good. I watched it all, every moment. I think its foundation lies with its characters. There are names you´ll recognize without a doubt, such as Julius Caesar (Ciaran Hinds), the violently ruthless but successful military leader. Caesar walks around the series like he owns the place, and that´s because, for a time, he did. Mark Antony (James Purefoy) is in almost every episode, and despite his boyish good looks, was best known as a Roman general and politician who never looked back but always ahead. Gaius Octavian (Max Pirkis from the first season into the early second, Simon Woods from then on) undergoes a youth to adult transformation in just a few years after being named Caesar´s top successor. There are others, but these names hold the most historical star power. All performances feel gritty and authentic as these men navigate complex Roman political processes and conspire with and against each other. Their interactions aren´t horribly polished during the series, and they shouldn´t be. I doubt there were back in the day.

The main attractions are two soldiers: Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) and Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson). Vorenus did some fighting for Caesar in Gaul, but few historically relevant details beyond this are known. Pullo is entirely fictitious. These men lead very different lives in the series, but develop an interesting friendship on the battlefield despite being so separate in so many regards. Vorenus is extremely religious, maintains that one day he´ll return to his wife and children, detests dishonesty and will always do his sworn duty to his people, leadership and nation. Pullo is much rougher around the edges, evidenced by his frequent profanity, random sexual encounters, simple ignorance and desire to look out for himself long before anyone else. These fellows have some really interesting chemistry together. Whether or not they´ll admit it, they need the other for support, stability and balance. They occasionally separate and get into their own unique trouble, but in the end, the series is really about their relationship and struggles to survive amidst many political and personal happenings. I didn´t prefer one character over the other, but instead appreciated how well they complicated each other. As the series goes on, they begin to get each other´s humor and develop personal attachments, not just military ones.

"Rome" has many things going for it. It´s visually stunning, and features a very diverse blend of actual on-location scenes, well-dressed and decorated sets and computer generated long distance shots. The city itself is decently authentic, and the stone columns, tapestries and dwellings look like real thing. Locations don´t look spotless, but instead like people live, work and exist there (which is good because, well, people actually did). All characters wear spectacular costumes that flow as they maneuver and distinguish the different social classes quite easily. There was significant attention to detail among the costume designers, and it showed in everything from robes to sandals to necklaces to belts. The props throughout "Rome" look equally authentic, be it a sword, shield, water pitcher or candle. As a package, it´s extremely convincing and a visual delight.

Historical accuracy is another issue all together. Purists will tell you the show plays up Vorenus and Pullo more than it should, and that Caesar was slightly shorter and had less hair. The Senate sessions also feel a bit too rehearsed, as characters vocalize their favor or disapproval at just the right moment. There´s little spontaneity in those scenes, but the show makes up for it in other ways. Deceit and corruption run rampant in "Rome," an accurate pull from history´s events and pages. The series also illustrates how complex the relationship web and family tree were among Rome´s diverse hierarchy. I had to keep the full color insert that came with the set and had mug shots for all main characters by my side while watching the episodes, and the series is likely less confusing than actual Roman history.

Below is a disc by disc and episode by episode breakdown.

DISC ONE: Season One
"The Stolen Eagle" – "Rome" begins in 52 B.C., after Caesar has completed his Gaul conquest. Two courageous soldiers, Centurion Lucius Vorenus and Legionnaire Titus Pullo, are dispatched to find a golden eagle standard stolen from Caesar´s forces. Meanwhile, Rome is showing cracks, complete with Pompey Magnus, Caesar´s once trusted friend and ally, getting under the table suggestions from the Senate on how to address Caesar´s impending return.

"How Titus Pullo Brought Down the Republic" – Vorenus spent eight long years fighting with Caesar against all enemies, and returns home to his wife and children. They react with some interesting shock value, and must get to know the man they thought perished long ago in battle. Pullo also is adjusting, but not as easily, evidenced by drunken bar fights and bizarre sexual encounters. While Caesar starts to get his forces together to return to Rome, Mark Antony becomes a Senate tribune representing the people´s interests.

DISC TWO: Season One
"An Owl in a Thornbush" – Pompey has turned against Caesar, but in order to prepare to overthrow his powerful forces, he quickly orders a retreat from Rome, indirectly forcing citizens to leave and join him, or stay and side with Caesar (who´s been deemed an enemy by the Senate). Atia begins living vicariously through those who do her dirty work, and through her children. Vorenus and other scouts are perplexed when no one seems to challenge them as they get closer to Rome.

"Stealing from Saturn" – Caesar arrives in Rome, and Atia hosts a welcome home festivity in his honor. Vorenus tries to distance himself from soldiering and becomes a merchant, and Pullo, loaded with riches after stumbling on an abandoned cart packed with gold Pompey took from Rome´s hidden vaults, returns it to Caesar. With new wealth and motivation, Caesar sends a truce offer to Pompey, knowing he will refuse it.

"The Ram Has Touched the Wall" – Pompey responds to Caesar´s offer with his own, and Mark Antony recommends simply hunting down Pompey´s untrained and vulnerable forces instead. Vorenus is tempted to return to soldering by Mark Antony, especially after his merchant attempts do not pan out. Pullo is asked by Atia to train Octavian, Caesar´s nephew, in combat. Atia is also planning to sustain her power and prominence, with or without Caesar.

DISC THREE: Season One
"Egeria" – With Caesar and his men leaving Rome to pursue Pompey, Mark Antony is in charge. Eventually, he gets word Caesar´s forces have weakened and he´s now being hunted. Mark Antony, despite being tempted by Atia and Pompey to turn against Caesar, remains loyal and scrambles his men to action. Pullo leads Octavian to his first sexual encounter, while Vorenus and his wife Niobe reconcile their issues and share a passionate moment.

"Pharsalus" – Despite Mark Antony´s pep talks, his men are overthrown by nature in the Adriatic Sea. Vorenus and Pullo battle for survival, while in Greece Caesar is attacked by Pompey, only to have the move totally backfire. Pompey now needs reinforcements to retain his position. Meanwhile, Atia uses Caesar´s niece, Octavia, to play nice with Servilia, a Pompey supporter and equally wealthy woman.