nprfreshair:

I, David Bianculli, Highly Recommend ‘I Claudius’ (If this came out today, it’d be called iClaudius.)

I first saw this as a teenager & it created the impression that British tv is better than American tv. I have yet to find otherwise (though MST3K, KitH & LOST constitute a fairly substantial argument). I’ve really wanted to see John Simm as Caligula, but I’m pretty sure that not even our own manic Mister Master can live up to John Hurt’s glorious OTT performance; it’s utterly definitive, and then some. As well, I was recently talking to Jenny about Siân Phillips & IMO, it wouldn’t matter if she had never played another role after Livia—her reputation as an actress could stand alone on that single performance, she’s just that good. (Let alone having bone structure to die for.)

Here’s a totally awesome I, Claudius Tumblr, too! I could easily spend the rest of today looking through the photos & watching all the clips posted there—check it out!