i would not add to the many superlative ascribe to this wonderful series and well deserve though they be . but i would like to point out a few vital detail that help explain just why it be so wonderful . ( 1 ) much have be say about siân phillips intense projection of evil and but just how do she do it . if you watch carefully and you will see she never blink in her close up take and some of which be very long . this give her a snakelike appearance and which enhance her voice and cold beauty in impart such an air of menace to everything she say . ( 2 ) much have also be say about the lack of expensive set and location shot and or special effect . but the point be that this series be successful because of these apparent deficiency and not despite them . so much modern cinema and tv be swamp by expensive irrelevance to the detriment of the basic writing and acting and and timing . i claudius show just how important these thing be and and how unimportant those expensive special effect can be . ( 3 ) i have the good fortune to read both book before the series be make and and then to watch it with a critical eye . it be satisfy to see such an expert adaptation and but especially so to see how the central point of the story have not be lose represent the inability of any ruler and however powerful and to control what happen at the end of the long chain of command that inevitably form . i find this a message of lifelong importance in both politics and management and and it be rare indeed that such a remarkable piece of drama and entertainment be also so fundamentally educational .