"Rome"............Thumbs up or down?

[chelsea0011]

As far as epic costume dramas go, it breaks no new ground. It looks like HBO will use female nudity in abundance. But I have always liked swords, Romans, and spectacle. I have to go thumbs up.

[mikeysnot]

1. Trim right at the start

but the sets are from the movie Troy, I am almost positive... It was the first show, so....

[jane_pippin]

2. You know, I don't think they are actually.

I was watching something else on HBO and in between programs they had this behind the scenes "Rome" thing on. The guy was going on and on about the great set designers they had, that they were from Europe, shooting in Rome was amazing, and so on.

I wasn't paying really close attention to it, but it seemed like he was saying they made it all for the show. Of course, I could be wrong.

Either way, it looked pretty neat.

[MADem]

3. I think it will be good

The first few episodes always set the stage and define the characters. From that, the story should take off.

It has gotten very good reviews from the reviewers--of course, they aren't always right, but I sense this one could be fairly decent.

If they are going to be true to history, we'll have to see some willies as well...if the frescoes at Pompeii and Herculano are any indication of life in those times, there was more block and tackle hanging out than naked women!

[tjwmason]

4. Bloody sexism

I've got nothing against the flagrant display of breasts for those that like them (and there's nothing bad about them to my mind) - but why is it always limited to female nudity in abundance, we're lucky if we get a quick flash of a floppy part of Ewan Mcgregor (he does seem to like getting his out :D ).

[underpants]

7. You must have missed the King of Gaul all naked

That being said, them were some nice boobies they showed.

[tjwmason]

8. It hasn't started over here yet

Definitely looking out for the King of Gaul.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

5. So far so good for me...

and as for the girlie T&A, expect a lot of full frontal from some of the boys later on -- that's what I heard in our local paper. :)

One of the things I like about it so far is the dialogue -- it is not as stiff/formal as in most sword and sandal movies, it's more conversational. I think that allows viewers to relate a bit more easily to the characters and situations.

[quisp]

6. I'm going to reserve judgement...

because I'm hopeful that it will be good. But I will say the first episode didn't bowl me over.

If I had to I give a 6.5 out of 10

[LibertyLover]

9. Rome

I watched the first half hour before I had to put the kid to bed. Seeing Vercingetrix naked was cool, although most of the scene was filmed from a distance. Watching Octavian's mother naked with her boy toy and in the bath was mildly amusing. I didn't specialize in Roman history, so someone here with more knowledge will want to step in, but I remember hearing in one of my World history lectures that Roman civilization had a "thing" about women's breasts and for the most part free women made love with them covered by a breast band, because to do otherwise was so lewd as to be almost immoral. Only slaves and prostitutes left them uncovered - slaves because they were not free and prostitutes for the (yes, the upcoming pun is intentional) titillation value or because their clients paid extra for the privilege.

My knowledge of late Republic Roman history is so-so - was the storyline where Octavian goes to Gaul with a prize horse for his great uncle Julius Caesar accurate or fiction? I don't recall ever hearing or reading about such an action by Octavian