The fall of a republic, the rise of an empire\u2026<\/p>\n
HBO\u2019s spectacular epic comes to BLU-RAY The Complete Series – Available to own on BLU-RAY for $109.95RRP from 18 November 2009.<\/strong><\/p>\n You\u2019ve never seen a Rome like this\u2026 Extravagant, awe-inspiring, colossal, HBO Video proudly presents the Blu-ray event of 2009 \u2013 Rome: The Complete First Season. On 18 November 2009 the critically acclaimed, historically authentic drama that chronicles the fall of a Republic and the creation of an empire through the experiences of two ordinary soldiers will rule supreme in video stores. The 10-disc Blu-ray set includes all 22 captivating one-hour episodes.<\/p>\n Unlike anything seen on television or film, \u201cRome\u201d is as epic as the time it represents. The production included over 4,000 pieces of wardrobe, approximately 1,250 pairs of shoes and sandals, 250 chain mail tunics, each weighing 36 pounds, a crew of 350, over 750 extras and the largest standing set in the world. Rome: The Complete Series Blu-ray set continues this grandeur. Packaged in a limited edition slipcase, the Blu-ray has a monumental array of bonus materials and interactive features totalling over 20 hours.<\/p>\n The extraordinary extra features include:<\/strong><\/p>\n Enhanced blu-ray content includes:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 All roads lead to Rome : an in-depth, interactive on-screen guide prepared by the Series\u2019 historical consultant Jonathan Stamp Bonus content includes:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Friends, Romans, Countrymen \u2013 introduction to the characters of Rome. Synopsis<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Every city has its secrets. The year is 52 B.C. Rome is the wealthiest city in the world. Four hundred years after the Republic was founded on principles of shared power and fierce personal competition, the foundation has crumbled, eaten away by corruption and excess. After eight years of war, soldiers Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo unwittingly become entwined in the historical events of ancient Rome. A serialised drama of love and betrayal, masters and slaves, husbands and wives, \u201cRome\u201d chronicles a turbulent era that saw the death of a republic and the birth of an empire.<\/p>\n Critical Acclaim<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Since its premiere episode \u201cRome\u201d has been praised by critics across the world. The first season received two 2006 Golden Globe\u00ae nominations for Best Drama and Best Actress (Polly Walker) and was listed on several \u201cBest of\u201d lists including Variety and The Denver Post.<\/p>\n Program Information<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Cast regulars include Kevin McKidd (\u201cKingdom of Heaven\u201d) as Lucius Vorenus, Ray Stevenson (\u201cKing Arthur\u201d) as Titus Pullo, Ciar\u00e1n Hinds (\u201cRoad to Perdition\u201d) as Gaius Julius Caesar, Kenneth Cranham (\u201cGangster No. 1\u201d) as Pompey Magnus, Polly Walker (\u201cPatriot Games\u201d) as Atia of the Julii, James Purefoy (\u201cVanity Fair\u201d) as Mark Antony, Tobias Menzies (\u201cFoyle\u2019s War\u201d) as Marcus Junius Brutus, Lindsay Duncan (\u201cUnder the Tuscan Sun\u201d) as Servilia of the Junii, Indira Varma (\u201cKama Sutra: A Tale of Love\u201d) as Niobe, Max Pirkis (\u201cMaster and Commander: The Far Side of the World\u201d) as Gaius Octavian and Kerry Condon (\u201cAngela\u2019s Ashes\u201d) as Octavia of the Julii. \u201cRome\u201d is one of the largest co-production deals ever by the BBC for an American series, and marks the first series co-production of the two networks. HBO and the BBC previously partnered on the 2001 miniseries \u201cBand of Brothers,\u201d which won six Emmy\u00ae Awards, including Outstanding Miniseries. \u201cRome\u201d began shooting in Rome in March 2004, with Michael Apted (\u201cCoal Miner\u2019s D daughter,\u201d \u201cThe World Is Not Enough\u201d) directing the first three episodes. Additional directors include Allen Coulter (HBO\u2019s \u201cThe Sopranos\u201d), Julian Farino (HBO\u2019s \u201cEntourage\u201d), Jeremy Podeswa (HBO\u2019s \u201cCarniv\u00e0le\u201d), Alan Poul (HBO\u2019s \u201cSix Feet Under\u201d), Mikael Salomon (HBO\u2019s \u201cBand of Brothers\u201d), Steve Shill (HBO\u2019s \u201cThe Wire\u201d), Alan Taylor (HBO\u2019s \u201cDeadwood\u201d) and Timothy Van Patten (HBO\u2019s \u201cSex and the City\u201d).<\/p>\n Production for the series is based at Rome\u2019s Cinecitt\u00e0 Studios, with additional locations throughout Italy.<\/p>\n About HBO Video<\/em><\/p>\n HBO Video markets an extensive array of programs ranging from HBO’s critically -acclaimed and groundbreaking series The Sopranos\u00ae and Sex and the City\u00ae to theatrical features such as My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the #1 romantic comedy of all time. The company’s catalogue contains hundreds of titles including the multiple Emma\u00e2 Award winning miniseries Band of Brothers, children’s programs like I Spy, based on the best-selling book series, and innovative movies from HBO Films including Elephant, winner of the Palm Door, and Sundance Festival award winners American Splendour and Real Women Have Curves. Launched in 1984, HBO Video created a London-based international division in 2003 to capitalize on the rapidly expanding worldwide DVD market.<\/p>\n \u201cROME\u201d FACT SHEET<\/p>\n — HBO decided to shoot \u201cRome\u201d in Italy in spring 2003, and pre-production began at Rome\u2019s legendary Cinecitt\u00e0 Studios that August. The fall of a republic, the rise of an empire\u2026 HBO\u2019s spectacular epic comes to BLU-RAY The Complete Series – Available to own on BLU-RAY for $109.95RRP from 18 November 2009. You\u2019ve never seen a Rome like this\u2026 Extravagant, awe-inspiring, colossal, HBO Video proudly presents the Blu-ray event of 2009 \u2013 Rome: The Complete First<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Bloodlines: an interactive on-screen guide highlighting the connections between the soldiers, senate and families of Rome<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 The Rise of Rome \u2013 behind-the-scenes featurette on sets, wardrobe and actors\u2019 boot camp.
\n\u2022 When in Rome \u2013 featurette on the culture of ancient Rome.
\n\u2022 Shot x Shot: gladiator \u2013 a closer look at the thrilling season 1 episode 11 fight sequence.
\n\u2022 Shot x Shot: Caesar\u2019s triumph \u2013 detailing the production of the epic season 1 episode 10 triumph scene.
\n\u2022 A Tale of Two Rome\u2019s \u2013 ancient Rome was two different cities for two different classes. See how the patricians and the plebs differed in all matters, from jobs to recreation to religion.
\n\u2022 The Making of Rome, Season II \u2013 take a tour of the production of the epic series, from costumes to sets to special effects \u2013 plus a detailed look at the battle of Philippi.
\n\u2022 The Rise of Octavian: Rome\u2019s First Emperor \u2013 the larger-than-life story of the cunning boy who became the most powerful man in Rome.
\n\u2022 Antony & Cleopatra \u2013 a revealing look at one of the most famous love affairs of all time.
\n\u2022 Thirteen revealing audio commentaries with cast and crew.<\/p>\n
\n— The set was designed by Joseph Bennett, and building began in November 2003. Location shooting began March 22, 2004, and the first shoot at Cinecitt\u00e0 began April 1, 2004. Production wrapped in May 2005.
\n— \u201cRome\u201d is the first English-language series to be shot entirely in a non-English-speaking country.
\n— The Forum set is approximately 60% the size of the original Foro Romano. Twenty-five percent of the set is invisible in the form of wiring, pipes and gas to fuel its working braziers and torches. The olive trees in the Sacred Grove are over 200 years old.
\n— References for the vibrant colours of the temples, statues and streets, as well as graffiti and signage, are taken\u00a0 directly from the ruins of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Ostia.
\n— The series required over 4,000 pieces of wardrobe, designed by Oscar\u00ae-nominated costume designer April Ferry; 2,500 pieces were used in the first three episodes alone. Approximately 1,250 pairs of shoes and sandals were made in Bulgaria.
\n— All of the fabrics used in the costume design and set dressing are authentic to the time \u2013 wool, linen, cotton and silk. Fabrics came from Prato, Italy, as well as India, Tunisia and Morocco. They were purchased in their natural state and dyed on set.
\n— Two hundred and fifty chain mail tunics for soldiers, each weighing 36 pounds, were made in India, as well as 40 leather cuirasses for legionary officers.
\n— Leatherwork for the principal actors was done on set by Augusto and Giampaolo Grassi, second-generation craftsmen whose father created the body armour for \u201cCleopatra\u201d and other period films shot at Cinecitt\u00e0. The quality is such that many of those costumes are still in use decades later, rented throughout the world for other productions.
\n— Prototypes for helmets and other metal costume elements were handmade by metal designer Luca Giampaoli and replicated in India. He personally created all metal costume elements for the principal actors.
\n— \u201cRome\u201d used a peak of 40 horses in one scene, and on the largest day of shooting, 750 actors\/extras for the scene of Caesar\u2019s triumph.
\n— Kevin McKidd and Ray Stevenson trained with sword master Giorgio Antonioni for one month before shooting, learning authentic Roman fighting techniques rarely portrayed on film or television.
\n— Fifty-five Italians were cast as \u201cspecial ability\u201d extras and sent to a two-week boot camp, living in tents, to train as Roman soldiers; 43 completed it.
\n— Battle scenes in \u201cRome\u201d represent one of the first times authentic techniques are portrayed \u2013 for example, no large, slashing sword movements like Gauls and Celts used; instead the series featured a tightly-packed \u201cRoman Wall\u201d of men shoulder-to-shoulder, thrusting straight from above and below their shields. The front line rotated to the back every 30-45 seconds, ensuring well-rested soldiers in the fray at all times.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"