Years ago, back when HBO was just a fledgling cable channel, I was one of the many who helped it become the juggernaut it is today. I loved the idea of having access to theatrically released movies faster than they could come out on video. But times changed, and I spent several years without any kind of cable service at all. It wasn't until about four years ago that I finally got cable, and then about a year ago, switched to dish. Of course I learned pretty quickly that even with 180 channels, chances are there isn’t a darn thing on that I want to watch. Praise be to God for the advent of DVD. Now, even though I finally made the trek back to the world of multi-channel access, I still haven't added a single pay movie channel. I don’t have HBO, Cinemax, or even The Movie Channel for fear of paying extra bucks for movies that I already own on DVD.

But here's the kicker, most of these channels have added original programming to their line-up, and in most cases…EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD original programming. Some of these shows are so good as to make me re-think my position on paying a little extra to see them. HBO in particular has led the pack in quality programming with shows like The Sopranos, Carnivale, Six Feet Under & Deadwood. Unfortunately, Carnivale was cancelled after its second season, Deadwood is going bye-bye after its third (with a couple of movies to close out the story) and Six Feet Under played its swan song after its fifth.

A lot of these shows I've finally had the opportunity to watch, again thanks to DVD, the most recent being one that I heard little about during its initial airing. "Rome" premiered in August of 2005 and finished its 12 episode run in November. Once the DVD release was announced, I started looking into the show and became very intrigued. I love historical films, especially those that strive to be as accurate as possible. "Deadwood" was especially good in the respect. So when the DVD arrived, my wife and I decided to tear into them to see if this series was half a good as the ones we already liked. As it turns out, "Rome" is every bit as good, if not in some ways better than any of the other shows that HBO has produced.

While I know some of my history and know that the show definitely took a few liberties in order to make it more theatrical, they hit the ball out of the park in terms of the look and feel of the period. The first season deals the reign of Gaius Julius Caesar (Ciaran Hinds) following his victorious defeat of Gaul, where upon he learns that his power has been overturned by the councils of Rome under Pompey (Kenneth Cranham). Of course, not being one to take things lying down (well, except perhaps… his women) Caesar led an attack against the unprepared city of Rome, causing the council members to flee the city and return the power to its rightful owner.

Throughout the season we are privy to the machinations that political power creates, with Caesar on one side promoting order and the exiled council members on the other. As much as Caesar wants peace and prosperity for all those who oppose him want to keep the prosperity for themselves and are willing to lie, commit treason and even murder to get their way (kind of sounds like our current governmental situation… don't it?). And those of us who know what happened to Caesar won’t be surprised by how the first season ends.

The narrative of the events that took place over the course of Caesar's reign are seen from the point of view of two legionnaire's in Caesar's 13th Legion, Lucius Veronus (Kevin McKidd) and Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson). In a small way, they are used as the characters of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were used in "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead", where we bore witness to Shakespeare's "Hamlet" as seen through their eyes. Veronus and Pullo are often pulled right into the middle of some of Caesar's most famous moments allowing us the access to the proceedings. But in order to draw us into the story and feel for these characters, we are also privy to their private lives. They become fully developed, 3-dimensional characters which adds to the reality of the series.

Speaking of the reality of the series, most historians know that the ancient Roman times were wrought with debauchery, and Rome was a very unsanitary city. The creators went to great strides to re-create this life in the series. So much so, that for some viewers it might be a little hard to take. Those who are familiar with "Deadwood" understand that series can be hard to watch at times because of the course language, brutality and occasional nudity. Well, "Rome" can be even harsher in that the decadent time it represents was full of extremely bloody violence and perverted sexual proclivities (kind of sounds like our current governmental situation - part 2… don't it?).

At the time I watched the DVD of the series, I was still unaware as to whether or not there was going to be a second season. But after being so blown away by the immense spectacle of what I saw, I started checking out the news outlets and press releases. Thankfully, HBO has renewed the series for a second year, which began filming in March and will begin airing sometime in 2007.

Getting back to the DVD specifically, HBO has once again delivered an outstanding set, worthy of a place in any collection. The box is a custom made affair with a beautifully decorated foldout disc holder. You won’t find the average DVD case here. Inside, you'll find an 8-page insert that introduces viewers to all of the main characters. Then there are the rich video and audio transfers on the discs, which offer up the twelve episodes in a 1.78:1 widescreen aspect ratio with a beautifully sharp picture. The audio is presented in a Dolby Digital 5.1 track that sounded incredible on our home system, especially during some of the battle sequences.

As for special features, one hardly knows where to begin. As a bit of a video companion piece to the insert that also introduces viewers to the characters. I was also glad to see a bit of a text commentary offered up for each episode, which is presented in a sort of 'pop-up video' style, with more historical information about the period. There are also audio commentaries on 8 of the episodes by various members of the cast and crew. I found these to be highly informative and entertaining, especially since they were not all done by the same person. The variety of speakers made for a great variety of style and information. Additionally there are two 'shot by shot' sequences that go behind the scenes to show viewers how they were produced. Of these, the fight sequence from the episode "The Spoils" is by far the most fascinating.

Once you get to the final disc, there are several other featurettes. These include a 20 plus minute look at the culture of Rome and another 25 minute feature on how the creators worked to try and capture as much realism in the series as possible. Finally, there is an extensive photo gallery to round out the set.

There is no doubt that "Rome" is one of the most lavish series that HBO has created, and it shows in every frame of every episode. If I have any complaint about the set for the first season, it is in the price to purchase it. As is the case with most of HBO's DVD series releases, it is extremely pricey… and whether or not the end result is worth it, it totally up to the buyer. But I can say that is well worth adding to your collection if the price is right.

Episodes:
The Stolen Eagle
How Titus Brought Down the Republic
An Owl in a Thornbush
Stealing from Saturn
The Ram Has Touched the Wall
Egeria
Pharsalus
Caesarion
Utica
Triumph
The Spoils
Kalends of February

Starring: Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, Polly Walker, Kenneth Cranham, Lindsey Duncan
Extras: Commentary by Bruno Heller and Jonathan Stamp on The Stolen Eagle, How Titus Pullo Brought Down the Republic, Pharsalus, and Kalends of February, Commentary by Steve Shill on Caesarion, Commentary by Jeremy Podeswa on Utica, Commentary by Ray Stevenson on The Ram Has Touched the Wall, Commentary by Kevin McKidd on The Spoils, "Friends, Romans, Countrymen" - Introduction to the characters of Rome, "All Roads Lead to Rome" - interactive onscreen guide prepared by the series' historical consultant, Jonathan Stamp, "Shot x Shot: Caesar's Triumph" - detailing the production of the epic Episode 10 triumph scene, "Shot x Shot: Gladiator" - A closer look at the thrilling Episode 11 fight sequence, "The Rise of Rome" - Behind-the-scenes featurette on sets, wardrobe, and actors' boot camp, "When in Rome" featurette on the culture of ancient Rome, Photo gallery with over 50 never-before-seen images, Eight-page Roman Character Guide booklet featuring names, profiles, relationships, and other key historical information
Specifications: Widescreen (1.78:1), Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: HBO
Release Date: 8/15/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Rome: Season 1 an A.