I, Claudius - Half Wit Beats Senate
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- Опубліковано 5 лип 2008
- This is a scene from Episode 10 of the series I, Claudius. Claudius (Derek Jacobi) is made emperor after the assassination of Caligula and addresses senators who oppose it.
Out of a brilliant series full of brilliant scenes and performances, this may be the best one, it's certainly my favorite. - Розваги
"I have survived to middle age with half my wits while thousands have died with all of theirs intact! Evidently, quality of wits is moreso important than quantity." Too true.
it was brilliant! The pearl of this scene!
Brilliant line. Better to be a live halfwit then a dead fullwit......if such a word exists.
@@brendonhenry8835 shutup racist.
@@AK-tf3fc wut ?
@@Hahaa99 He's white and his kind is racist.
"Isn't what a man has to say more important than how long he takes to say it?!"
Genius 💜
One sentence verbal headshot.
Almost. The quote is actually:
"But isn't what a man says more important than how long he takes to say it?!"
@@Wertflux Who cares what that insane old man has to say?! He takes forever to say it!
Indeed. As long as he ‘says,’ it.
The attempt on my life has left me scarred and _d-d-_ deformed.
An interesting note on Claudius was that he was a historian. The beauty of being a historian is that rather then learning from your mistakes you can learn from someone else's, which is probably why he was able to take over Britain which probably made him one of Rome's most important emperors and one to change the course of history itself.
ah. a wise man learns from his mistakes. a wiser man learns from another's
He also remembered the historian's advice when he was still a scholar, to exaggerate his stammer ( and his wits which isn't half by any means)as to lower his enemies guard and think of him as weak when it comes to communicating his thoughts but not the fast and sharp thinking that his step-grandmother had long suspected of him.
Lol britain was a backwater swamp then and it is not much different nowadays
@@francomilazzo8277 this is funny considering i'm just pointing out a scene in the tv series and not about a moment Claudius' actual life
@@pepefrogic3034 You need an education, you are making half wits look look scholars! There are very real reasons why Britain was an attractive fertile grain production country, well as copious amounts of silver amongst them! Go read some books for a change,
such phenomenal acting. Jacobi is truly amazing as Claudius. His tics, stammers and twitches are so perfect and natural you would swear he's not acting!
People did think he was naturally a stammerer with ticks. When he went back to the stage he would get compliments from theatregoers on how well he managed to conceal it. Jacobi also said he had to work hard not to continue to incorporate the ticks, limp and stutter beyond the role.
One of Herbert Wise production assistants had a bad stuttering problem. Jacobi talked very often with him as a reference
Not only as Claudius.
@@timcarpenter2441I saw him onstage in Breaking the Code in 1987. He had not completely lost his stutter then)
The vocal range, from softly spoken to thunderous projection, is a joy to behold. And the words, cadence and timing are equally superb.
This show is absolute proof that basic sets, small casts and low budgets can easily be overcome by quality acting and screen writing.
Can anyone get this message through to the so-called film makers of today, with their all looks, no talent teen actors and CG laden, brainless pap they churn out?
Oh I hope you are not alive today in 2021 where even Star Wars made its own Prequels look like Shakespeare to its new movies
I agree with every word! ♥ ️👍
It's classical acting, which has largely died on the screen.
Everyone wants to be a method actor, with all it's overblown emotion and histrionics.
half of them would be african and/or ghey
Hi! I am here from 11 years in the future! No, no we can't get the message through to them. In fact, it seems only to have egged them on producing ever worse excrement, sire. Forgive us, sire.
4 people died with all their wits intact
This was such a wonderful series. Claudius reveals his true colours.
Trudy schulten
You met Derek Jacobi? He is a wonderful actor and seems like a very nice man:)
Trudy schulten
How very exciting. I believe he is delightful and very easy to talk to:)
The scene in the episode "Queen Of Heaven", when Livia acknowledges his smarts and his survival instinct is also great.
@@anastasiosgkotzamanis5277 Livia: The wine has made you bold... Lost your stutter too I see.
This was the precursor of the Sopranos and Game of Thrones
Claudius is the man between Caligula's and Nero's reign. I would expected him to have a larger reputation
Pika Zilla Kind of hard we the other two steal the show for being absolutely crazy ding bats.
His reputation was tainted by the senate and the latter Flavian dynasty.
Now he’s regarded as a conscientious and an intelligent ruler.
@@Hahaa99 If anything, Flavian dynasty exalted his reputation. Don't forget Vespasian's mistress was a former slave of Antonia, Claudius' mother. It's no wonder there's no trace of the funny curtain tale in the Flavian writer Josephus Flavius.
@@tiberiuscave4617
Thanks for bringing that up 👍
Very interesting.
I see now that the most renowned Roman historians such as Tacitus, Seutonius and Cassius Dio wrote after the Flavian Dynasty
Good reigns are often more boring than bad ones. There's a reason everyone pays attention to Caligula and Nero, despite their incompetence.
Though the last three episodes of the series are strong, this to me is the real climax of entire production. The "idiot" Claudius recieves the throne and proves himself sharper than not just the senate but arguably most of the imperial family.
The people are so easily enamored by bombastic tyrants, when the meek and wise would rule a hundredfold times better. Nothing changes. Trump was Nero, Boris was Nero, Putin is Nero, Xinping is Nero, Bolsonaro is Nero, Berlusconi is Nero. People swallow it. Why? Only the lord knows.
I love how this scene concludes. Those two scowling cowards sneer at him till their
necks are saved . . . then it's bowing on their way out!
One of the factors that makes this series so grand is the fact that there is no background music, interfering with the audiences' concentration on the acting. So often these days, background music is everywhere 'setting the mood' when instead it should be the craft of the actor doing so. Background mood music is like sugar in our food - everywhere, to our ultimate detriment.
Why, I'm sure a straight to CD soundtrack and a laughtrack and American boos and jeers would enhance the experience tenfold!!
@@anarchy_79 💀
True. I am sickened by the soundtracks accompanying dialogue in modern productions. Most evident in US TV series and I’m not even the one watching them. 😬
This was just THE best television series ever made and I never tire of seeing it again,
When it was made people actually ACTED.
Stop writing certain words in capital letter! It's cringe.
@@Zodroo_Tint Bro can't comprehend the concept of EMPHASIS.
Claudius, King George and many others are giving me hope that stammer cannot stop me achieving my dreams
Does acting get any better? Amazing.
the acting was immaculate throughout the series, by all of the casts
The quality of acting in this scene, and in this series as a whole, is absolutely peerless.
"What can I say, except I have survived to middle age with half of my wits-- while thousands have died with all of theirs in tact!"
I saw this for the first time when BBC4 kindly decided to repeat it the last few months. What a programme with some of the finest actors and actresses the UK has had to offer and fantastic writing, pacing and drama. Born in an era of CGI, big budgets and cosmetic surgery it was hard at first to overlook the visual limitations but I was captivated by the performances which outweighed all of that. A perfectly formed 12-course feast of television which is as well worth watching now as in 1976.
This show seems to have held up well over the decades. It's been a long time since I watched it, and I figured it would look a little amateurish after all this time. But for a TV show shot on a sound stage in the 1970s, it looks good and sounds good. And of course good acting never goes bad.
Well, if it can impress me, a 15 year old boy who's used to widescreen and HD, then it'll be impressive for a long time! I got this for my 15th birthday, and I can't believe how good it is!
Most things have improved with the passing of time. However, art has regressed.
Quantity has surpassed quality.
First three seconds for me: "Heh, this didn't age well"
The rest of the thing: *mesmerized*
It's literally 10x better than anything produced now...
Great dialogue and an incredible actor to deliver it. What more can one ask for?
Last watched it about ten years ago. Fantastic adaptation of the Robert Graves novels Derek Jacobi is just great in everything and RIP John Hurt
Master class in acting. Just a brilliant show, and what a cast...
I can remember watching this series, as an entirely ignorant eleven year-old, in 1976, and being fascinated. I had no idea who these historical characters were and not much of an idea of what was going on. However, the acting, the writing and the atmosphere were so compelling that I just couldn't turn away from it. I still remember Claudius' last phrase in the series and often quote it today in reference to the political and social situation in many countries today: "Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud hatch out".
And this is a brilliant example of why this version of "I, Claudius" can never be bettered. One of the two takeaway performances in a cast so talented it makes me ache to think about it: Sir Derek Jacobi as Claudius, and the late Sir John Hurt, who simply stole the whole show as Caligula.
Little factoid about the latter. Apparently Jack Gleeson, who played Joffrey Baratheon, was advised to look up Hurt's performance as Caligula. Gleeson did, and, after watching John Hurt as Caligula over and over again, based his portrayal of Joffrey on Hurt's Caligula, now widely accepted as THE rolled-gold standard on how to portray a batshit crazy ruler!
You forgot Siân Phillips as Livia. One of the greatest ever.
@@CptMark Dranted, but you should fing that I covered her in the comment about the cast being so brilliantly talented it makes one ache thinking about it.
The best TV drama ever made. I watched it at the time and bought it in iTunes when it became available. The quality means it can be watched over and over
No CGI, no massive battle scenes, gore or gratutious nudity - just good writing and acting.
There are no small or big roles, just acting professionally at 100-120%. The fun is the very British actors are playing @130% the roles of the Ancient Roman dynasty who in AD43+/- had conquered their homeland.
I think this scene needed two nude CGI babes battling on the background.
Actually some of the nudity was rather good. :)
If I recall there was some nudity, at least toplessness, although it might not be considered gratuitous.
@@birtybonkers8918 Definitely a little nudity. Some homoerotic nudity with men scraping oil off each other (which was daring at the time.)
There is hope for this television loving student of Roman history. Between I Claudius and Rome the bar has been set at a very high level!!
Derek Jacobi is fabulous. My first opportunity to meet him as a great actor. Unforgettable.
This could be the present Parliament!
This is easily my fav moment form the show ( the Messalina beheading coming in a close second). Now we get to see claudius show everyone that he has the brains Rome has needed for so long and the heart to use it to the best that he can. HAIL THE EMPEROR!
Old stuff finds you on UA-cam; you don't find it. Great Scene and acting!
What a great performance. He is the BEST! One of my favourite Derek Jacobi's roles
He was also Senator Gracchus in Gladiator (2000).
Aleksandar Vil "after all Rome was founded as a republic"... Gracchus must've forgot Rome was founded by a monarch.
This series needs to be watched again. I fear history reapting itself. 😢
Indeed. The 🍊🤡 could be the next Emperor declaring himself a god.
This was a brilliant show, my whole family never missed an episode.
Wow.
Best TV of my childhood. Utterly transported.
Superb. One of the most impressive series i've ever watched!
Absolutely seminal!
this is what tv drama should aspire to.
whenever i watch derek jacobi, i catch a faint glimmer of the nobility of man.
One of my favorite moments in what is still my all-time favorite mini-series. I remember when I first saw it back in the 70's on 'Masterpiece Theater" and I was stunned by how incredibly powerful, well-written, well-acted and (on occasion) downright witty it was! It made me a fan of Jacobi, Phillips, Hurt & others and still counts as a gold standard of "sand and sandal" epics. Thanks for posting this!
Derek Jacobi is wonderful as Claudius, the stuttering and stammering is all him, not scripted as it was earlier in the series.
The guard over his right shoulder looks like the same guard in Life of Brian!
Saw this series as young teenager when it was first broadcast. It ignited a love of learning history and is still amongst by favorite shows.
Finally someone posted it. My favorite scene from the miniseries. Claudius' moment of triumph.
For me this was the all time greatest series produced anywhere, ever. Brilliant from start to finish.
That was by far my FAVORITE scene in what was an EXCELLENT series! I've sat through the entire series on multiple occasions and love it every single time.
Stop writing certain words in capital letter! It's cringe.
@@Zodroo_Tint Whatever you say, chief... LOL
Now that was a humbling delivered with grace and without malice or pride. I didn't even know such a thing was possible.
one of my favorite parts too ^_^ thanks so much for posting!
thank you youtube this is golden.
the acting here is p'ppppppp'ppp perfect.
Great acting.
Never a dull moment in this series.
Don't mess with us stutterers. We got chips on our shoulders!
superb, one of my favourite dvd,s
You know this is one of the highlights of what had to be one of the most riveting TV series ever made
The best serie I´ve seen in my life!
I grew up watching this.
I am grateful for it.
Sir Jacobi is a genius. GENIUS!!
I watched this serie here in Sweden in 1976. I was 8 years old and I just loved it and then my fascination started of the roman empire. Great actors.
Same here from california. Watched with my father nightly. He even allowed me to stay up late with him to watch.
Capital! Bravo Sir Derek! Thanks for posting
It is very well written and well acted.
this is the first scene i have ever seen from this series and i must admit that it started to draw me in.
Superb acting.
Loved this series
Magna Carta was a charter - not a constitution. They are probably using the term constitution in reference to Roman law.
Brilliant series based on a wonderful two volume historical novel by the Poet, Robert Graves.
I miss such series! A time when quality came first♥️🥰
Love this scene
In BBC English, Claudius said, "Is Me what you have now, there is not other options for the emperor's job vacancy but me or the blade of the pretorian guards against you, so suck it, get over it and work together"
In my mind, one of the best series ever.👍
Wonderful to see Marty Feldman in a non-speaking cameo role as one of the praetorian guards just behind Claudius.
Great acting, as always in this time - but now there are other - very strange times
I remember this series from the 70’s well, encompassing the rule of both Caligula and Claudius. Claudius was certainly no halfwit, rather a notable emperor and effective administrstor during his 13-year rule. Caligula, in contrast, was probably stark, raving mad.
Back in the day when TV drama was real drama.
It's time programming of this quality returned.
Finest piece of television to date. Nothing I've seen comes close, except maybe The Wire.
czhxts yup, I can definitely agree with that...amazing series!
czhxts Amazing television theatre. One of the best.
This can't beat Deadwood
I would buy a tv if ever the content ever reached this standard...
Great scene.
Maureen Maynes Yeah, pretty awesome.
Great series.
Amazing soliloquy. Shakespeare himself couldn't have written it better.
Claudius wasn't such a nice old man...he loved watching people being tortured...well, every body should have a hobby, I suppose...
For anyone seeing this for the first time and who have not seen "I Claudius" do yourselves a favor: see it. I agree with those who have said what a marvelous series this is. The books by Robert Graves (from which this great show is based on) are also excellent and merit reading. It's amazing how Claudius - who was taunted by others as a fool and an embarrassment - outlived all of them and eventually became emperor!
Best series ever.
There were only two TV theaters in Europe that time, that was BBC first and Polish Television Theatre second. Both presented classical and contemporary spectacles at the best levels of scenic art.
Derek Jacobi is a magnificent actor.
Incredible acting!
Educational and fascinating historical play. Worth observing the professional acting of Derk Jacobi & John Hurt. Had the opportunity to have watched the complete play in an educational channel PBS some time ago.
The complete one? With the uncensored featus eating scene?!
I do not recalled that gross scene. I do not think so. PBS educational channel is conservative and works by the rules. Some students had to do h.w assignments as well.
For anyone interested: you might want to look at 'Cadfael' where he plays a medieval monk solving murders. I think it was shot around the same time and reminds me a lot about this series, just less continuity in other characters and less tension because it lacked a few real antagonists
When we were watching, we all anticipated him showing his oration without the stuttering. When it arrives, it was beautiful. Read the actual Claudius's reign. It was a good reign for the Romans.
Well said, Clavdivs. Well said.
Brilliant
Wow, this looks amazing. Everything from acting to camera work seems unlike anything in modern television. Gonna give it a try, for sure.
@amtRemember Thanks a lot !
this is possibly the most brilliant television in history. It's monumental. it's not Superman, it's realistic
I'm a fan of Jacobi, have heard about this series for a good portion of my life, never sat down to watch it. After seeing this scene, I'm going to.
I was expecting to see John Cleese in one of those soldiers' uniforms
This is BBC at his finest hour.
Great acting from Derek Jacobi.
this is the only serie I kept
Nice to see Bernard Hill in the background as a praetorian.
Notice Bernard Hill in the background? He became best known internationally for Theoden in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Also Yosser in Boys From The Blackstuff.
Only gripe about this scene is that Cassius Chaerea was a national hero, and in the book Claudius reminds him of this before condemning him, and Cassius salutes Claudius without saying a word.
This remains however the greatest TV drama series of all time.
Hail Claudius, emperor and god!
When are they going to remake I Claudius? We need another HBO Rome
+Geoff Marcus-Baxter HBO Rome is brilliant... but there can be no 'remake' of I, Claudius! The original is timeless and no remake will ever do it justice. I get your sentiment though, there isn't anything around like this today. A great shame.
God forbid. BBC/PBS can no longer imagine writing like this. They're preoccupied with reinforcing public stupidity.
God spare us ! No we do not need a remake