a few day ago and i pick up sarah bradford biography of lucrezia borgia from my sister library to read on a plane trip . it rekindle my interest in view again a dusty and neglected tape and of the 1981 10 part bbc mini series and the borgia and that a and e air in 1985 and which another family member tap for me and know that i love history and bbc drama . when i first view the series and in 1985 and i think it have good acting and production value but be a bit cheesy in it portrayal of some of the more seedy aspect of the reputed borgia family skeleton . i do enjoy the way the series bring to life renaissance italy and the prominent italian family and love the commentary by renaissance historian and museum curator add by a and e. twenty two year later ( and a many year more seasoned ) when i pull out the tape to view again of the series i have almost tap over several time and i be overjoy that i have the miniseries intact . what a delight . the portrayal of the seedy aspect of the borgia no longer seem cheesy and but a plausibly accurate interpretation of an audacious family blatant disregard for convention and societal limitation and and taboo and demonstrate in practically every aspect of their ambitious and large than life action . have great exposure to the entitlement attitude of privileged and self promote family in politics and history and i now find the salacious aspect of the borgia story not only likely and but an intriguing part of the psychological whole . there be documented parallel in the family of the egyptian ruler and the roman caesar and virginia woolfe and among others . aside from my reevaluation of this previously disturb aspect of the storyline and i find the portrayal of the political intrigue at the vatican and among the prominent italian family to be far more interesting subsequent to have travel to some of the locale depict . i agree with previous reviewer who have state that the good you know your history and the more you appreciate this series . with a few forgivable exception and the casting be perfect . rodrigo borgia or alexander vi look just like his portrait . cesare borgia look like he step right out of his . lucrezia and giulia farnese and and alfonso deste also be convincingly portray . vanozza catanei and sancia daragon and strangely and be miscast a to appearance and a minor quibble a both be strong actress . i come online today to see if i could purchase a dvd of the borgia a a christmas present to the sister whose book i borrow . while i be disappoint to find that the series be not available for purchase and i be delight that my 1985 tape be in good shape . what a shame this series be not rebroadcast or available for purchase .