The fall of a republic, the rise of an empire…
HBO’s spectacular epic comes to BLU-RAY The Complete Series – Available to own on BLU-RAY for $109.95RRP from 18 November 2009.
You’ve never seen a Rome like this… Extravagant, awe-inspiring, colossal, HBO Video proudly presents the Blu-ray event of 2009 – 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.
Unlike anything seen on television or film, “Rome” 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.
The extraordinary extra features include:
Enhanced blu-ray content includes:
• All roads lead to Rome : an in-depth, interactive on-screen guide prepared by the Series’ historical consultant Jonathan Stamp
• Bloodlines: an interactive on-screen guide highlighting the connections between the soldiers, senate and families of Rome
Bonus content includes:
• Friends, Romans, Countrymen – introduction to the characters of Rome.
• 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.
• Shot x Shot: gladiator – a closer look at the thrilling season 1 episode 11 fight sequence.
• Shot x Shot: Caesar’s triumph – detailing the production of the epic season 1 episode 10 triumph scene.
• A Tale of Two Rome’s – 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.
• The Making of Rome, Season II – take a tour of the production of the epic series, from costumes to sets to special effects – plus a detailed look at the battle of Philippi.
• The Rise of Octavian: Rome’s First Emperor – the larger-than-life story of the cunning boy who became the most powerful man in Rome.
• Antony & Cleopatra – a revealing look at one of the most famous love affairs of all time.
• Thirteen revealing audio commentaries with cast and crew.
Synopsis
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, “Rome” chronicles a turbulent era that saw the death of a republic and the birth of an empire.
Critical Acclaim
Since its premiere episode “Rome” has been praised by critics across the world. The first season received two 2006 Golden Globe® nominations for Best Drama and Best Actress (Polly Walker) and was listed on several “Best of” lists including Variety and The Denver Post.
Program Information
Cast regulars include Kevin McKidd (“Kingdom of Heaven”) as Lucius Vorenus, Ray Stevenson (“King Arthur”) as Titus Pullo, Ciarán Hinds (“Road to Perdition”) as Gaius Julius Caesar, Kenneth Cranham (“Gangster No. 1”) as Pompey Magnus, Polly Walker (“Patriot Games”) as Atia of the Julii, James Purefoy (“Vanity Fair”) as Mark Antony, Tobias Menzies (“Foyle’s War”) as Marcus Junius Brutus, Lindsay Duncan (“Under the Tuscan Sun”) as Servilia of the Junii, Indira Varma (“Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love”) as Niobe, Max Pirkis (“Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World”) as Gaius Octavian and Kerry Condon (“Angela’s Ashes”) as Octavia of the Julii. “Rome” 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 “Band of Brothers,” which won six Emmy® Awards, including Outstanding Miniseries. “Rome” began shooting in Rome in March 2004, with Michael Apted (“Coal Miner’s D daughter,” “The World Is Not Enough”) directing the first three episodes. Additional directors include Allen Coulter (HBO’s “The Sopranos”), Julian Farino (HBO’s “Entourage”), Jeremy Podeswa (HBO’s “Carnivàle”), Alan Poul (HBO’s “Six Feet Under”), Mikael Salomon (HBO’s “Band of Brothers”), Steve Shill (HBO’s “The Wire”), Alan Taylor (HBO’s “Deadwood”) and Timothy Van Patten (HBO’s “Sex and the City”).
Production for the series is based at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, with additional locations throughout Italy.
About HBO Video
HBO Video markets an extensive array of programs ranging from HBO’s critically -acclaimed and groundbreaking series The Sopranos® and Sex and the City® 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 Emmaâ 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.
“ROME” FACT SHEET
— HBO decided to shoot “Rome” in Italy in spring 2003, and pre-production began at Rome’s legendary Cinecittà Studios that August.
— The set was designed by Joseph Bennett, and building began in November 2003. Location shooting began March 22, 2004, and the first shoot at Cinecittà began April 1, 2004. Production wrapped in May 2005.
— “Rome” is the first English-language series to be shot entirely in a non-English-speaking country.
— 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.
— References for the vibrant colours of the temples, statues and streets, as well as graffiti and signage, are taken directly from the ruins of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Ostia.
— The series required over 4,000 pieces of wardrobe, designed by Oscar®-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.
— All of the fabrics used in the costume design and set dressing are authentic to the time – 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.
— 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.
— Leatherwork for the principal actors was done on set by Augusto and Giampaolo Grassi, second-generation craftsmen whose father created the body armour for “Cleopatra” and other period films shot at Cinecittà. The quality is such that many of those costumes are still in use decades later, rented throughout the world for other productions.
— 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.
— “Rome” used a peak of 40 horses in one scene, and on the largest day of shooting, 750 actors/extras for the scene of Caesar’s triumph.
— 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.
— Fifty-five Italians were cast as “special ability” extras and sent to a two-week boot camp, living in tents, to train as Roman soldiers; 43 completed it.
— Battle scenes in “Rome” represent one of the first times authentic techniques are portrayed – for example, no large, slashing sword movements like Gauls and Celts used; instead the series featured a tightly-packed “Roman Wall” 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.
