1. I Claudius (1976)
I, Claudius is probably the most towering masterpiece in the canon of BBC drama. It is still regularly screened on TV and currently resides on BBC 4 (though I think it might have come to an end there just recently). Boasting some of the greatest acting talent in Britain (Derek Jacobi, Sian Phillips, Patrick Stewart, Brian Blessed among many others), I, Claudius makes for an engrossing watch. The film covers the reign of several Roman Emperors as narrated by the elderly Claudius. We start off with Augustus Caesar and his quest to find an heir, which is continually thwarted by the machiavellian machinations of his wife Livia - an adept poisoner who wants to give her son Tiberius ample position as the next Emperor. Tiberius eventually gets to rule Rome but is more interested in decadence and debauchery than the running of the Empire. He is a cruel and vicious tyrant. In extremely dodgy circumstances, Caligula is hailed the new Emperor. He did not improve upon Tiberius' rule by one iota. Caligula was a depraved being who milked the Roman people dry. He was an utter madman and his assassination comes as a relief. In an extraordinary turn of events, Claudius himself is proclaimed Emperor of Rome despite the fact that he is physically severely incapacitated and is thought to be a moronic imbecile all over the Empire. Eventually the hideous Nero is groomed for the top. The plotting, scheming and betrayals of the Roman court are vividly brought to life in this adaptation of Robert Graves books I, Claudius and Claudius the God. Highlights for me include the odious Caligula ripping out the unborn baby from a woman's womb so he can eat it and become a God. There is also a big whore off between the best prostitute in Rome and Claudius' tramp of a wife Messalina, which is very entertaining. To see her get her head chopped off was very rewarding. Even if you are not in the slightest bit interested in Ancient Rome, I Claudius is compulsive and necessary viewing material.