Prestige Television Then & Now

At the time I, Claudius was held up as a great achievement in television, a medium that held very little respect in terms of making good art, so how does it compare to some of the most lauded shows of today? As a programme about a powerful, murderous, scheming family, full of betrayal, poisoning and deeply troubled individuals the obvious comparisons would be Game of Thrones and Succession. Now, despite being a drama about the Roman Empire, who fought a lot of wars, you will not see any battles in I, Claudius, people talk about them but they happen off-screen. In fact, forget battles, there are barely any scenes that supposedly take place outside, 90% of them taking place in a series of small rooms. For murder and plots I think I, Claudius may actually beat Game of Thrones not in total number but just about every death is murder or is suspected of being a murder, and usually murdered by a spouse, lover or close blood relative. At one point a conversation takes place between Claudius and one of the people behind a lot of these plots where he simply rattles off everyone who died around him and asks if they had them murdered. Characters are stabbed, poisoned, cursed, decapitated, poisoned, starved to death and poisoned. So many people in this show are poisoned you will develop an irrational fear of being poisoned (if you or someone you know is a candidate to be Roman Emperor it may not be irrational).

Succession

Extreme family dysfunction has been present in modern prestige TV from the beginning and I, Claudius has it in spades. Nearly all the characters are related by blood or marriage, sometimes blood and marriage, and many of the characters are adopted into the family. Succession has shown the dysfunction present in the Roy Family, White Lotus the tensions between couples, in I, Claudius family members are murdered for power, money, love, sex and revenge. Familial ties are not so much a bond of love but a potential liability or danger as any member of the family can be a candidate for the throne. Mothers hate their sons, wives poison their husbands, the younger brother laughs as his older siblings are murdered, and husbands murder their wives. There are a handful of vaguely positive relationships, usually involving Claudius.

Violence

Most of the violence of I, Claudius happens off-screen or out-of-shot, nevertheless, these acts can be extremely shocking. There are a number of incidents which – while not directly shown – leave a big impact. The cruelty and madness of Caligula makes for difficult watching. The determination of some to wipe out the entire Julio-Claudian family line goes to horrific lengths, and executions are not just to kill people but to make a brutal point.

Acting & Writing

It’s hard to deny that comparing it to many modern shows I, Claudius is a far smaller production, with far less money spent on it. However, in terms of writing and acting it sets the benchmark. The brilliant array of acting talent on display every episode is astounding. Derek Jacobi as Claudius leads us from the timid young man who wants only to be left alone to becoming emperor, Brian Blessed gives a very nuanced portrayal of Augustus, the first emperor, battling with inner conflict around who should succeed him or indeed – if anyone should. Sian Phillips is one of the great TV villains of all time as Livia, Augustus’ wife, is determined to put her son on the throne, and as with the best villains, she is not a completely unsympathetic figure. The acting between Blessed and Phillips is also a joy to behold, a marriage that goes on for decades while she slowly eliminates anyone standing in her way, yet she does seem to have affection for her husband. John Hurt’s portrayal of Caligula as a giggling unsettling maniac capable of making a practical joke or calling for your execution is unforgettable. And I’ve not even mentioned Patrick Stewart as the scheming Sejanus.

Watching I, Claudius in 2023 will perhaps be an adjustment for many. If nothing else, the show can be very slow and has a LOT of talking (with a surprising amount of time dedicated to the discussion of grain), but it is a genuine masterpiece of television.

Also Read: Fargo: A Movie and TV Masterpiece

Also Read: The Final Successor: Dissecting the Epic Conclusion of HBO’s Succession

Your contribution to Big Picture Film Club will allow us to continue to produce content. No matter the amount your contributions are greatly appreciated.

The post I, Claudius Returns To The BBC appeared first on Big Picture Film Club.

Most Complicated Spoiler Warning Ever: Content from various books in the A Song Of Ice and Fire series will be discussed, including Fire and Blood, and differences in the books and the tv show will be discussed but mostly around the setup of the story.

The Source Material

GoT is based on the still unfinished A Song of Ice and Fire book series by George RR Martin – the first book being A Game of Thrones from which the tv show took it’s name. HotD is based largely on the book Fire and Blood, a “history” of the Targaryen Family (also written by Martin) as well as other facts established in the book series.

The Premise

HotD is based on an event alluded to much in ASOIAF and Fire and Blood – The Dance of the Dragons, a civil war fought between rival heirs to the Iron Throne. King Viserys I’s eldest child is Rhaenyra and expecting resistance to a ruling queen he has the major lords swear to follow his daughter. On the King’s death though many would still rather the King’s son, Aegon (and half-brother to Rhaenyra) take the throne. The disagreement turns violent and soon it is all out war, splitting both Westeros and the Targaryen family. As the Targaryens have plentiful dragons to use in this war it was given the name The Dance of the Dragons (one of the reasons dragons have died out in GoT is many died in this war).

The tv show has changed a few details, most importantly Rhaenyra’s challenger is not her half-brother but her uncle – Daemon. This would presumably be as Aegon was little more than a child and an older – and far more dangerous – challenger could be a more satisfying opponent. Or it could be that as far as HotD is concerned the conflict between Daemon and Rhaenyra is only the first part of this war.

HotD shows events over several decades, looking through IMDb there are a number of actors who play some characters, with child actors standing in for the appropriate stage in life. Indeed it has been said the first season covers nearly thirty years, from the first inkling of a problem to the war itself.

Who’s Who?

Game of Thrones was already a nightmare of characters, families and factions and this is perhaps even more complicated but here is a quick guide to the major characters.

Viserys I – Paddy Considine – the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms at the start of the show and apparently a more tragic character than the one in the books, who is pleasant and generous and the reign was one of peace and prosperity. It is his decision to break with precedence and name his daughter as heir that leads to civil war.

Rhaenyra Targaryen – Emma D’arcy – the first-born child of King Viserys who clearly sees the throne as her birth-right, even though there has never been a queen-regnant (a queen who is the ruler, as opposed to a queen consort, the wife of the ruler. Queen Elizabeth II is queen-regnant).

Daemon Targaryen – Matt Smith – King Viserys’ younger brother and judging from the trailer was the king’s presumed heir until recent events stirred things up. Daemon is a respected warrior and dragon-rider, and of course, is a man. Confusingly in the books, Daemon Targaryen is Rhaenyra’s husband (as well as uncle, yes, the Targaryens are weird) and is one of Rhaenyra’s strongest supporters.

Other important characters – Alicent Hightower – Olivia Cooke – Queen and wife of King Viserys, in the books Alicent was the mother of Aegon, the rival to Rhaenyra, but as in this version it is Daemon who is the rival. Her son, Aegon, seemingly has been cast but has thrown my faction understanding into a muddle as if there is a son then Daemon would be completely cut out of the succession – if you didn’t want a female heir in Rhaenyra you’d have a male heir in Aegon.

Lord Corlys Velaryon – Steve Toussaint – the Velaryons are one of the Targaryen’s closest allies, Corlys is a famed seafarer and adventurer and one of the wealthiest people in Westeros and is married to a Targaryen princess. Also a member of the Small Council (the closest advisors to the king) he will have a lot of sway. In the books he became Hand of the King to Rhaenyra but it is unclear what side he is taking, although in one trailer he says, “The King has an heir, Daemon Targaryen.”

Rhaenys Velaryon – Eve Best – a character always described in the books as Rhaenys Targaryen even after she marries Corlys, this change of name is significant, perhaps indicating this character’s loyalty to her new family and not the Targaryens. Interestingly in the books Rhaenys found herself in a similar position where – if gender were ignored – she would have become queen but was passed over for a male relative.

Ser Otto Hightower – Rhys Ifans – not only is Otto the Hand to the King of Viserys but his daughter is Alicent – Viserys’ second wife. The trailer has Ser Otto bring the issue of succession to Viserys, stressing the importance of having a clear successor. In the books Otto supported Aegon (his grandson) but as this struggle is different who will he support?

So as we travel to Westeros once again for more plotting, betrayal and dragons hopefully you’ll not have to ask quite so often – “who are they again?”

Also Read: Iconic Scenes: Game of Thrones – “The Mountain & The Viper” & “Chaos Isn’t A Pit…”

Your contribution to Big Picture Film Club will allow us to continue to produce content. No matter the amount your contributions are greatly appreciated.

The post House of The Dragon: A Guide To What’s Going On appeared first on Big Picture Film Club.

Game of Thrones made fantasy cool. The Lords of the Rings films may have brought fantasy firmly into the mainstream but it was the HBO series that made it cool. The show, especially the first four seasons, were astonishing in writing and the development of characters. It was a show that shocked fans with its ruthless plot turns – in the first season three of the main characters die. It also had unforgettable action scenes, from the Battle of the Bastards to Bronn throwing a knight through the Moon Door.

There are two central themes to Game of Thrones: power and love. How characters dealt with power has at times defined them: Robert Baratheon who usurped the throne from a mad king, Eddard Stark who wouldn’t take power for himself, Daenerys Targaryen and the crash course in power politics she got in a few short years. Love is there in Eddard Stark protecting Jon Snow, Jorah Mormont standing beside Daenerys, in the first episode Jamie Lannister throws Bran Stark from a tower and says, “The things we do for love.” The Night’s Watch is predicated on renouncing power and love, they will have no titles and bear no children. The two scenes discussed below show the contrast in furious action and grand dialogue of political schemes as well as the motivations of power and love.

The Mountain and The Viper

Oberyn Martell is only in one season of the show but became a very popular character. Set on avenging the murder of his sister and her children everything he does is working towards that goal. This takes Oberyn to volunteer to fight as champion in a trial by combat for Tyrion Lannister, just so he can get a chance to fight the man who murdered his sister, Gregor Clegane aka The Mountain. Clegane is well-deserving of the name, a huge man and seemingly unbeatable in combat, Oberyn is tiny in comparison. But whereas The Mountain is strong, Martell is quick, with Oberyn dodging the brutal sword swings and making attacks of his own. The duel is one of the high-point actions scenes in the whole show and Oberyn’s repeated accusations, yelled while fighting, ramp up the tension. Despite what everyone watching the battle expects Oberyn wins…almost, giving the Mountain a fatal wound his focus moves to Tywin Lannister, the person who gave the Mountain his orders. And at that moment, The Mountain trips Martell and literally crushes his head. The Mountain is dying but as his opponent is dead already – he’s won. I love this scene for the brilliant action and choreography of the fight scene but also the themes from Game of Thrones it brings in. Oberyn wants revenge, he wants justice for those that he loved, Tywin Lannister is dealing with the consequences of things he did, the whole realm being turned upside down not for politics or power but personal relationships.

The reactions of those watching the battle are priceless. Tyrion’s life is on the line, Jamie Lannister wanting his brother to win but not expecting it, Cersei desperately wanting Tyrion dead, Tywin impassively watching it, ignoring Martell’s direct accusations. Ellaria Sand, Martell’s paramour, watches as well, suitably shocked by the Mountain and nervously awaits the outcome.

It shouldn’t have come as too much of a surprise that The Mountain would win. The show revelled in dealing out vicious deaths and with The Mountain’s victory, they nearly had two: Oberyn Martell and then, potentially, Tyrion.

Chaos Isn’t A Pit…

Perhaps my favourite aspect of Game of Thrones is the political scheming. This is best exemplified in two characters, Varys, essentially the spymaster for the Seven Kingdoms and Petyr Baelish, aka Littlefinger, another important figure in the government and politics. The perception of Varys changes dramatically over the show, originally seeming like a traitor he is revealed to be a person who cares for the realm, the people, rather than an individual king. Littlefinger is the opposite, everything he does is for him – betrayal, murder and unspeakable cruelty all to advance his plans. Both are experts at this game as shown by the fact that Varys is a peasant foreigner who has risen to the heights of government and Littlefinger an insignificant noble as there is in Westeros who now holds many titles and lands. The two have a seemingly friendly sparring relationship most of the time but occasionally it is revealed that Varys hates Littlefinger and Littlefinger will happily crush Varys.

In this scene they are along together in the throne room, staring at the legendary Iron Throne. Much is made of whether Littlefinger wants the throne for himself and how such a figure could get it. Littlefinger’s study of the actual chair, noting the legendary aspects of it are entirely made up, but everyone goes along with the lie. Varys warns that all grasping for power will only lead to chaos, which he describes as a pit that will consume everything. Littlefinger responds with one of the most famous lines from the show, “Chaos isn’t a pit. Chaos is a ladder.” Varys despairs at the suffering and destruction that chaos will bring whereas Littlefinger only sees opportunity. Along with this rather chilling speech is the knowledge that Littlefinger has arranged for one of Varys’ spies to be killed, giving us a further insight into the current occupant of the throne, who would murder someone purely for the thrill of it.

Also Read: Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The New Game of Thrones?

Your contribution to Big Picture Film Club will allow us to continue to produce content. No matter the amount your contributions are greatly appreciated.

The post Iconic Scenes: Game of Thrones – “The Mountain & The Viper” & “Chaos Isn’t A Pit…” appeared first on Big Picture Film Club.

“Things that were, things that are, and some things that have not yet come to pass”

The as-yet-untitled show will be a prequel to the films, set in the second age of Middle-Earth, thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit. The second age is notable for being the time that the dark lord Sauron (the big bad who spent most of the films as a big eye) was forging the one ring (to rule them all). While nothing is known about the plot currently, one of the big events in the second age is the fall of Numenor. A display of Sauron’s power and coercion, his rise to power would certainly be an epic tale. The rights deal came with a guarantee of five seasons, so there’s plenty of time to tell the story

And there is a lot of story to tell, while the third age is well documented, and the first age is covered in the Silmarillion, the second is a relatively blank slate. While this setting may be because Amazon aren’t allowed to reference the books, it still leaves a lot of room for them to expand. While some events are set in stone, the characters involved and what leads to them are ripe to be explored. The show has the chance to answer questions that Tolkein scholars have wondered about for decades. It will be for all intents and purposes, official Middle-Earth canon.

“The world is changed”

While the books have been adapted into various mediums, the Peter Jackson films are arguably more iconic than the books. Part of that appeal is the location filming in New Zealand, which doubles for Middle-Earth. Like Jackson’s films, the new series will also be shot in New Zealand, but the production won’t be using any existing sets. So it’s likely familiar locations like the Shire or Rivendell won’t appear or may look slightly different. It might look different, but it won’t look cheap. While the three films had a total budget of $281 million, season one alone has a $465 million one. For a more modern context, the final season of Game of Thrones cost around $90 million for just six episodes. Amazon seems pretty confident about what is already the most expensive TV show ever made, with 20 episodes in the first season.

The show is in production, but it is shrouded in secrecy. We know some cast members, but no confirmation of who they’re playing. The only cast member with a character attached is Morfydd Clark (of Saint Maud) who is playing Galadriel. Cate Blanchett played the character in the films, and it’s safe to assume Clark is playing a younger version. Other confirmed cast members have been announced, but no idea who they could be playing and few big names. Even behind the scenes, the show is being headed by two relative unknowns, Patrick McKay and John D.Payne. Although they have no IMDb credits, they are well known within the industry and come recommended by J.J Abrams.

It’s too early to say if the show will do as well as Amazon hopes, but they’re clearly going all out to try. No other streaming service has a show or license like this, with Disney+ and The Mandalorian probably being the closest comparison. Streaming services are moving towards original content, and this could be a game-changer if it pays off. Netflix and Disney+ are notoriously cagey about actual viewership numbers, and streaming has made pirating shows even easier. While shows like The Mandalorian and Game of Thrones are big, they are also the most pirated shows. The show certainly has the ambition and potential to become the next big thing, but only time will tell.

Also Read: Returning to the Lord of the Rings

Your contribution to Big Picture Film Club will allow us to continue to produce content. No matter the amount your contributions are greatly appreciated.

The post Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The New Game of Thrones? appeared first on Big Picture Film Club.

There’s no denying that despite its flaws Game of Thrones captured the zeitgeist in a way that few shows have. It sparked the imagination of everyone who saw it. And many used their imaginations to create something creator George R. R. Martin wouldn’t approve of, fan films.

So while we wait to see what’s next for the Song of Ice and Fire, here are five GoT fan films that deserve some recognition.

The Wild Wolf

Set before the events of the series, this short centres on Eddard Stark’s brother Brandon and his duel with Peytr Baelish for Catelyn Tully’s affections.

The Wild Wolf is undoubtedly impressive. The costumes and presentation look almost exactly like the show and the central duel has stellar choreography. But the film’s greatest strength is its main characters, Brandon (Shane Gibson) and Peytr (Curtis Worrell).

Unlike Eddard, Brandon is cocky and self-assured, but his reluctance to jump straight to violence and Gibson’s charm makes him likable and believable as a Stark. And despite knowing Peytr will eventually become a power-hungry schemer, Worrell makes him relatable as an idealist fighting for his true love. His dreams just vastly outweigh his capabilities, remaining true to one of Martin’s primary themes. Most people aren’t wholly good or evil, but somewhere in between.

A Northern Story Episode 3: Blood and Milk

Wendrik Cassel is journeying home to Wolf Hall after the infamous red wedding. When he stops at a tavern and sees Bolton men taking a barmaid hostage, Wendrik must ask if he’s willing to forget what’s left of his honour for a quiet life?

Despite awkward fight choreography and a cheesy ending, Blood and Milk redeems itself by building a tense atmosphere through dialogue and the actor’s performances. The character of Wendrik Cassel is incredibly engaging as one of Westeros’ last good men, and the dialogue oozes with tension and wit.

Game of Hyrule

The sole parody on the list, Game of Hyrule uses the conceit of a “previously on” segment to recap iconic moments from the Legend of Zelda games. But with a Game of Thrones-esque makeover. Meaning Hyrule has more sex, scheming, backstabbing and murder than ever before.

The hilarity of taking the iconography from the mostly child-friendly Legend of Zelda series and making it over to look like Game of Thrones is pure comedic genius. And it’s all done with loving attention to detail. Any gaming fan will definitely get a laugh from this one.

The Red Letter

Taking place before the red wedding, Dawn (A Frey servant) attempts to ferry an important letter to Leland (a Tully soldier). However, Walda Frey and her soldiers aren’t about to let that happen.

One thing absent from many GoT fan films is the show’s trademark unpredictability. But The Red Letter captures that perfectly. From the start, we’re thrown into a dire situation as Leland is ambushed by Frey soldiers and an unarmed Dawn tries to escape Walda Frey. Instantly we’re hooked and we’re never sure what the outcome will be. The fight choreography is incredible (despite some wobbly props). And there’s a great amount of personality injected in the limited dialogue. A thrilling watch that packs a punch.

A Tale of Benjen Stark

Did you ever wonder what happened to Benjen Stark, during his journey beyond the wall? This short answers that question.

While returning from ranging Benjen discovers two survivors from a bloody attack on a wildling camp. As he tries to discover what happened the dead start to rise, attacking him and the survivors.

A Tale of Benjen Stark is a great amalgamation of the previous entries’ best elements. Combining The Red Letter’s great writing and fight choreography, Blood and Milk’s tense atmosphere, the Wild Wolf’s incredible acting, casting, and production design, Game of Hyrule’s attention to detail and each films affection for the source material with inventive camerawork, great music, and effective special effects. Creating a tale which for me deserves to be considered canon to the show.

So for everyone still craving more Game of Thrones give these films a watch and make sure to mention any great GoT fan films we missed. For the night is dark and full of fan films.

Also Read: Batman Fan Films

The post A Game of Fan Films appeared first on Big Picture Film Club.