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Rome: The Complete Series Blu-ray Disc Review

ROME: THE COMPLETE SERIES (2005-2007, Blu-ray released November 17, 2009 – MSRP $139.99)

Rome: The Complete Series Blu-rayI’m at a loss for words when it comes to HBO‘s brilliant series Rome. I’m overwhelmed with both sadness and awe when I watch these episodes: the latter for the sheer epic wonder that is the series and the former because it’s a television show lost before its time. Thank heaven and HBO then for this incredible Blu-ray collection that honours the series in the best possible way!

There’s nothing about Rome that screams for the series to be cancelled, as it was mid-way through its second season. The show is absolutely incredible with some of Hollywood’s finest writers and directors contributing to its rich tapestry, acclaimed directors John Milius and Michael Apted among them. The story focusses on the story of two simple men, Centurions in Julius Caesar’s army. We follow their story through the famous rise and fall of Caesar, through to the Shakespearean tragedy of Marc Antony’s adventures in Egypt. While the trappings of the tales are classical in nature, the stories remain human and relatable. Real men and women with real problems. Incredible scripts performed to perfection by a wonderful cast, directed by veterans of the silver screen and other HBO series, staged in some of the most incredible sets and locations ever seen on television – none of this could save Rome from falling…um, I mean from being cancelled before it could play out its planned story arcs to their fullest.

I suspect it was the sheer immensity of the production. The cost, the time and the exhaustion of all involved that finally saw the carpet pulled from underneath Rome. But as they say, all great things must find their end. Et tu HBO?

I almost feel like the studio is making up for the series’ cancellation in this new Blu-ray Complete Series set. This is one of the most beautiful packages I’ve ever beheld. Just take a look:

Rome: The Complete Series Blu-ray Detail

It’s like a thick, sturdy tome, just pulled from a library shelf. 22 episodes and a ton of special features packed onto 10 Blu-ray discs, slipped into the pages of the book-package. Gorgeous! This is one of those cases where you feel like you’re getting every single pennies worth of the purchase price of the disc set. I can’t emphasize enough how impressed I am with this thing. Warner Home Video and HBO have really outdone themselves here.

It would be a monumental letdown if the content on the discs didn’t match up to the quality of the packaging. Not to worry. Every episode looks fantastic here. Better than ever in 1080p. You’ll see more detail, truer colours and deeper blacks than ever before when watching Rome on Blu-ray disc. The transfer is very film-like, softer than the splashiest modern titles like Star Trek and Transformers, but very pleasing. The DTS-HD Master Audio is deep and dynamic. Wonderful all around. If I didn’t know better, I’d think this was big-budget feature film on my screen, not modest-budget TV!

The Blu-ray continues to deliver in the special features department as well. While most of the content is ported over from the previously available DVD editions (13 audio commentary tracks and a ton of really well done but standard-def featurettes covering everything from production to the history of Rome and its people), we’re graced with two new enhanced interactive on-screen guides – “All Roads Lead To Rome” provides historical insight into the show by consultant Jonathan Stamp while “Bloodlines” highlights the connections between the soldiers, senate and families of the series. Both are excellent and informative but may not appeal to those who just want to sit back and enjoy the adventure and the epic scale of the series.

I can’t recommend Rome: The Complete Series Blu-ray set highly enough. This is one of those products that should find its way onto all holiday wish-lists!

Previously on The Blu-ray Blog: HBO’s Rome: The Complete Series Box Set Announced for November Blu-ray Disc release

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2 comments for “Rome: The Complete Series Blu-ray Disc Review”

  1. [...] Blu-ray releases from HBO (by contrast, it took me days to get through all the extras on their Rome Blu-ray set!) There’s nothing new here. Just the sparse set of extras ported over from the DVD set. The [...]

    Posted by The Sopranos: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Disc Review | The Blu-Ray Blog | January 18, 2010, 12:26 pm
  2. [...] within the pages of a gorgeous, solid hardcover book – much the same as last years’ Rome: The Complete Series set. The packaging is honestly a beautiful thing to behold, providing a slipcase for the book and [...]

    Posted by Blu-ray Holiday Gift Guide 2010: TV on Blu | December 9, 2010, 11:36 pm

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