Rome: The Complete HBO Season 2 (5 Disc Box Set) [2006] | ![Rome: The Complete HBO Season 2 (5 Disc Box Set) [2006]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61xSTb9EGHL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Michael Apted
Actors: Kevin Mckidd, Ray Stevenson, Polly Walker, James Purefoy, Tobias Menzies
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: £54.99
Buy New: £24.95
You Save: £30.04 (55%)
New (5) Used (3) from £19.99
Rating:  46 reviews
Sales Rank: 555
Format: Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region: 2
Number Of Discs: 5
Running Time: 572 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.8 x 1.7
EAN: 7321902165615
ASIN: B000RVWM4E
Release Date: September 10, 2007
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED
| |
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
Unlike another certain celebrated HBO series, Rome's end will satisfy those swept up in its lavishly mounted spectacle and invested in the human dramas of the historical figures and fictional characters. Series 2 begins in the wake of Julius Caesar's assassination, and charts the power struggle to fill his sandals between "vulgar beast" Mark Antony (James Purefoy) and "clever boy" Octavian (Simon Woods), who is surprisingly named Caesar's sole heir. The series' most compelling relationship is between fellow soldiers and unlikely friends, the honorable Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) and Titus "Violence is the only trade I know" Pullo (Ray Stevenson), who somewhat reverse roles when Vorenus is overcome with grief in the wake of his wife's suicide. Series 2 considerably ups the ante in the rivalry between Atia (an Emmy-worthy Polly Walker), who is Antony's mistress, and Servilia (Lindsay Duncan) with attempted poisonings and sickening torture. Another gripping sub plot is Vorenus's estrangement from his children, who, at the climax of the season opener are presumed slaughtered, but whose true fate may be even more devastating to the father who cursed them. Rome's second season does not scrimp on the series' sex and violence, in both cases exceedingly brutal. But in this cauldron of treachery and betrayal, words, too, are vicious, as when a defiant Atia ominously tells Octavian's new wife, Livia, "Far better women that you have sworn to [destroy me]. Go look for them now." In writing Rome's epitaph, we come to praise this series, not to bury it. Although two seasons was not enough to establish a Rome empire, it stands as one of HBO's crowning achievements. --Donald Liebenson
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 41 more reviews...
 Excellent!! as good as the first season. November 7, 2008
N. Thompson (Hull, England)
Season 2 of HBOs excellent 'Rome' continues on exactly were the first season finished. Caesar has been assasinated and the subsequent power struggle once again sets Rome towards civil war. Mark Antony and Octavian must fight for survival and they try to bide for time until they can extract revenge.
Once again the acting is hugely impressive and the characters are all deep, complex and highly enjoyable. This is a wonderfull production and its hard to find a better television series. Its not for the faint hearted, there is plenty of blood, sex and violence for the more timid of us to shy away from ..... but if, like me, you like your drama's gritty and realistic then this is for you.
Excellent.
Stunning... November 3, 2008
Gail Parnell (UK, Wiltshire)
Rome - Season Two kicks off immediately following Ceaser's death, and follows the rise of Octavian to power, Mark Anthony's diasterous reign and doomed relationship with Cleapoatra and ties up some loose ends.
Kevin McKid - Vorenous, has gone mad following his wife's death, and his children have disappeared. Realising that, in part, he is also responsbile for Ceaser's death (having left his side following the revelations regarding his "grandson") he wanders the streets, until he finds his purpose once again, thanks to his firm friend Pullo.
Once again, the film is filled with stunning scenery, acting and the actors and actresses are once again in fine form. Atia - as fully intended by Servillia, - reaps what she sows - and every character in this film has a painful journey.
Octavian, now an older, more serious character (and replaced by another actor) becomes definitely more sinister - and a lot less likable; and Octavia doesn't really seem to have much to do, except swoon over Octavian's friend and dope herself up to the eyeballs with hemp.
Series two is as good as series one, except the last couple of episodes feel rather loose and rushed, and as a result this series has a deeply unsatisfying conclusion. Why this series was cancelled is anyone's guess, as there's still so much to be told, and so many fans of what is a brilliant series.
And the story continues--just as amazing as before September 11, 2008
Sophie Masson (Armidale, New South Wales Australia)
And the story continues--from the chaos following Caesar's assassination, Mark Antony's inept rule, the intrigues of Brutus and Cassius, and the rise of Octavian..this series is just as good as the first one, and every bit as gripping and visually magnificent. Superbly acted and produced, both series 1 and 2 are just gems. I feel bereft now I've watched the whole thing.
If only they could keep going! But maybe they don't want to tread on I, Claudius' toes, which takes us into Octavian's(Augustus')long reign and beyond?
Something wrong with your DVD player? April 21, 2008
M. De Albuquerque (UK)
0 out of 5 found this review helpful
After 50+ years of enjoying cinema,films of all types..but mostly films that engage the audience and require input...I have never complained about a Director of Photography before....every episode of "Rome" that mentioned the dreaded Marco Pontecorvo as the DOP..stand by for an amateur version of "The Shield"-all hand held..in your face,up your bum-whatever..wobbly picture,jerky background,cast walking right across the foreground of the frame-absolute RUBBISH..and with a famous Director as his father!!!- a little man with a massive ego..and directors letting him get away with it?Although this element stinks the place out-everything else about "Rome" is superb.
An Outstanding Conclusion to a Wonderful Series April 19, 2008
David Rush (Glasgow, Scotland)
21 out of 29 found this review helpful
The first series of Rome offered everything a viewer could want: drama, intrigue, romance, revenge, lust, betrayal and everything else in between. It was filled with highs and lows, twists and turns and a number of unexpected moments.
The second series picks up immediately after the events of the first series: Caesar is dead and the city of Rome is in mourning, Lucius Vorenus is struggling to cope with a terrible loss in his family; Atia and her family are faced with the prospect of leaving the city following the loss of Caesar while Mark Antony encounters Cleopatra once again.
The performances from the cast as whole are nothing short of excellent and are vital to the plot, which is often complicated and as usual, dripping with subtext. Polly Walker is once again terrific as Atia, Caeser's niece, who is always scheming to ensure the survival of herself and her children. However, her son - whose role is now played by an older actor - soon demonstrates a change in composure and plans to follow in his uncle's footsteps to become leader of Rome.
The sets and costumes are stunning as is the art direction - at a cost of $100,000,000 - which sees entire buildings reconstructed as they were at the time. Various parts of the series were filmed on location in Rome, which only helps add to the realism.
The second series of Rome is an amazing follow-up to the first one and is a must see for any dedicated fan as well as anyone who loves television drama or HBO series.
|
|
|
