MASTERPIECE THEATRE: I, CLAUDIUS {PART 1 OF 13}: A TOUCH OF MURDER (TV)
Summary
One in this ongoing series of dramas presented under the umbrella of "Masterpiece Theatre," hosted by Alistair Cooke. This thirteen-part adaptation of Robert Graves's historical novel "I, Claudius," is set in the early years of the Roman Empire and depicts the life and milieu of the first four Roman Emperors as recalled by the fourth, Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus (10 B.C. - A.D. 54), the lame, stammering grandson of Mark Antony. In part one, "A Touch of Murder," Claudius recalls how the great Roman oracle Sibyl prophesied his own reign as Caesar as well as the creation of his historical family document. Claudius then begins to relate the record of Roman history from the Augustine Empire's seventh anniversary in 24 B.C. During this time, a rivalry is simmering between Augustus's precocious nephew (and son-in-law) Marcellus, and Caesar's trusted, aged ally and war hero, Marcus Agrippa. At the same time, the ruler's scheming second wife Livia plots to have her son Tiberius become Augustus's successor, rather than the popular Marcellus. Marcus soon leaves Rome, bitterly hurt by Augustus's growing reliance on Marcellus, and Tiberius is sent on a military mission to Germany. While Augustus travels to the Eastern provinces to conduct business, Marcellus becomes mildly ill with a chill on the stomach. Livia takes this opportunity to poison Marcellus over the course of a month, while pretending to nurse the young man back to health with a special diet. Marcellus dies painfully as his wife Julia watches in torment. The suspicious death leads the Roman people to demand the re-establishment of the republic, angering Livia and causing her to implore Marcus to return to Rome to deal with upstart commoners. Marcus indeed returns, but barters with Augustus for the widow Julia's hand in marriage. This arrangement vexes Livia, who wished to marry her son Tiberius to Julia, making him the most logical heir to the empire. Following the program, Alistair Cooke introduces a scene from part two, in which Augustus refuses to allow a divorce between Julia and Tiberius.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: November 6, 1977 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:47
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T86:1255
- GENRE: Docudrama; Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Docudrama; Drama, historical; Roman emperors; Rome
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1971-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Martin Lisemore … Producer
- Herbert Wise … Director
- Jack Pulman … Writer
- Robert Graves … Based on the novel by
- Gary Downie … Choreographer
- David Wulstan … Music by
- Clerkes of Oxenford, The … Music by
- Wilfred Josephs … Theme Music by
- Alistair Cooke … Host
- Derek Jacobi … Cast, Claudius
- Sian Phillips … Cast, Livia
- Brian Blessed … Cast, Augustus
- George Baker … Cast, Tiberius
- Frances White … Cast, Julia
- John Paul … Cast, Agrippa
- Christopher Guard … Cast, Marcellus
- Carleton Hobbs … Cast, Aristarchus
- Angela Morant … Cast, Octavia
- Sheila Ruskin … Cast, Vipsania
- Renu Setna … Cast, Musa
- Freda Dowie … Cast, the Sibyl
- Guy Siner … Cast, Pylades
- Dave Davenport … Cast, Thallus
- Amanda Kirby … Cast, Antonia
- Sheridan Earl Russell … Cast, a Slave
- Patrick Stewart … Cast, Sejanus