Empire

When this eight-hour miniseries aired last summer, reviewers drew comparisons to such similarly themed epics as I, Claudius and Gladiator—with Empire getting the worst of it. The critics weren't entirely fair, however, being influenced not only by the drama's shortcomings but also by a barrage of unfavorable news stories citing production difficulties that reportedly forced filmmakers to jettison nearly a quarter of the original script during filming. The story begins in 44 B.C. with Julius Caesar (Colm Feore) being assassinated by members of his own senate. With his dying breath, Caesar importunes the warrior Tyrannus (Jonathan Cake) to guard and train the emperor's nephew and handpicked successor, a callow patrician youth named Octavius (Santiago Cabrera). The bulk of the story revolves around the lad's assumption of responsibility and his rapid maturation at a time when the Roman Empire is threatened with chaos, and internal enemies such as the treacherous Cassius (Michael Maloney) and Marc Anthony (Vincent Regan) try to undermine him. Dragged in for romantic interest is Camane (Emily Blunt), a Vestal virgin in whom Octavius confides, and who risks much to help him. While there's more talk than action here, the plot teems with intrigue, and viewers will appreciate the back-and-forth gyrations of various characters working at cross purposes. Ambitious in scope, Empire benefits from its length, which allows for more character development, and fans of historical epics should find plenty here to entertain them. DVD extras include a pair of “making-of” featurettes. A strong optional purchase. (E. Hulse)