CLASSIC IMAGE OF THE WEEK: "ROME"

The blood and glory that was ROME. All images: HBO.

Long before STARZ re-imagining of the Spartacus legend would cause a huge stir with audiences and critics for its 300-esque graphic violence, scantily clad women and almost graphic sex scenes, there was HBO's ROME. Arriving on TV screens in a blaze of publicity not long after the huge worldwide success of Ridley Scott's epic GLADIATOR, which, as well as finally making Russell Crowe a star, would re-launch and re-vitalise this particular area of period drama- the sword and sandals epic- this lavish, highly popular two season running series, created by John Milius (whose fascination with soldiers and warfare of all kinds within all eras of history has long been documented), Bruno Heller and William J. MacDonald, filmed entirely in Italy and one of the most expensive productions ever realised by HBO (in partnership with the UK's BBC and Italy's RAI television), primarily revolved around two loyal Roman soldiers, Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo (Kevin McKidd as the former (a slightly rigid, battle hardened and square jaw warrior loyal to Rome and family) and Ray Stevenson (as the latter: a likeable (if a little thick) but loyal friend used to violence and hard living), in career making performances which I don't think they've yet topped), and their partaking, whether deliberately or not, in some of the greatest moments in living history linked to the then seemingly invincible, world dominating Roman Empire. Events affecting not only their friendship but everyone else around them like outward expanding ripples in the water, from lovers and families to acquaintances and rivals/enemies, during a memorable period of time when political alliances, theft, greed, betrayal, lust and battlefield honour ruled, amidst a sea of power and opportunity during which its leaders (including Julius Ceasar (a more sympathetic and intriguing portrayal of the character by Ciaran Hinds) and Mark Anthony (a fine performance of bullying thuggishness from THE SAINT to be's James Purefoy), its senate government, the mob of the people and the huge armies of Roman Centurions were a fixture and way of life which one both admired and feared in equal measure, spanning a time of bloodshed and battlefield warfare the likes of which had hitherto never been experienced before, and certainly never forgotten since...

The series central stars: Ray Stevenson as Titus Pullo and Kevin McKidd as Lucius Vorenus.

Through the first few opening episodes courted controversy from the press and behind the camera (allegedly the BBC, much to the chagrin of series director/consulting producer Michael Apted, edited down the first three episodes as they thought British viewers, unlike their US counterparts, were more familiar with Roman history and wanted to get to the chase with regards to the sex and violence), whilst the likes of sensationalist UK newspapers like THE DAILY MAIL would get on their high horse and quickly rode the crest of the publicity wave by debating whether the BBC should be involved with what they deemed such a disgusting series showing such graphic bloodshed and nudity. Dedicated audiences overall reacted differently to the series, though, as they soon became immersed in its epic, multi-layered story-telling (if sometimes soap-like) drama of the two men and their worldwide adventures and the bickering and betrayals of the numerous powerful Roman houses linked to Caeser, the lavish production values, mostly historical accuracy, and its epic cast (with further great acting from the likes of Kenneth Cranham, Lindsay  (as a very randy and power ambitious Cleopatra characterisation far removed from Elizabeth Taylor's version of the role), Polly Walker (as Caeser's ambitious cousin Atia), Lindsay Duncan (as Caeser's revenge fuelled mistress Servilia), Ian McNeice and Indira Varma (as Lucius' wife Niobe, who bears a tragic secret from her husband). The only true reason the show would eventually stop- its memorable second year including a plot line linked to to the legendary power and passion relationship between Mark Antony and Cleopatra- would be due to its prohibitively very high production costs.

On the battlefront, Vorenus amidst her fellow centurions.

Memorable and stylish series opening titles: YouTube - Rome Opening Credits Intro

Regardless of its eventual cancellation (and a planned sequel movie release that sadly never happened), ROME remains one of the most memorable series to have come from American television in a long time, and well worth watching for first time newbies, or in a second time for fans wanting to re-live a rollicking good drama, when it starts tonight for a new UK re-run of the TMC movie channel...