Has anyone else watched HBO's Rome miniseries? I just breezed through season one and feel compelled to say that I was impressed by the quality of not only the physical production elements, but by the writing as well. While not always historically accurate (translation-wise), it did make me feel like I was viewing the lives of 'real' characters, versus the usual cookie-cutter personalities on TV. The only objection I have to the series is its gratuitous sexual content...though I suppose that's one of the more historically accurate aspects of the show (albeit a bit tastelessly shot, IMHO).
But my main focus here is on the writing. It was emotionally charged, yet not overbearing. Subtle cynicism really turned up the humor throughout...I love cynicism when it is written well. And, overall, the character interactions flowed so smoothly that the written dialogue seemed to come alive.
So, back to my main question: has anyone else encountered this series? If so, what is your opinion of the writing, in particular?
Inkwell ----------------- "The difference between a writer and someone who says they want to write is merely the width of a postage stamp." -Anonymous
Posted by LPMcGill (Member # 3923) on :
I only watched the pilot episode, but from what I saw, I was impressed. Production values were high for sure, and it's a good cast, but the quality of the writing impressed me too.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
I haven't seen ROME, but I watched all of the I, CLAUDIUS series and loved it.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Can't say I have. I gave up HBO in an fit of economizing some years ago and haven't been back since. In the stills and clips I've seen here and there, I'm impressed with the color palette (most portrayls of Rome being marble bland).
Posted by Mig (Member # 3318) on :
I loved this show. The best written scenes were the ones between the two soldier, Pullo and Verinus (not sure on the spelling). Also thought Pullo's fight with the gladiators was the most violent fight I have ever seen in any movie. That was how I imagined the fight scenes in the movie Gladiator should have looked before I saw that movie and was disappointed by the action scenes.
Posted by pantros (Member # 3237) on :
Rome was a great series - though very ficitonalized.
I loved that they pulled the names of Pullo and Verinas from J.Ceasar's personal accounts of the Gallic Wars. He notes them as two soldiers who tried to upstage the other through valiant acheivments in battle only to result in each saving each other's life (and both being proven very valiant). Good characters.