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Adaptations

Film and television

In 1937, abortive attempts were made to adapt the first book into a film I, Claudius by the film director Josef von Sternberg. The producer was Alexander Korda then married to Merle Oberon who was cast as Claudius' wife Messalina. Emlyn Williams was cast as Caligula, Charles Laughton was cast as Claudius, and Flora Robson was cast as Livia. Filming was abandoned after Oberon was injured in a serious auto accident.

In 1976, BBC Television adapted the book and its sequel into the popular TV serial, also entitled I, Claudius. The production won three Emmys in 1978 and four BAFTAs in 1977.

In 2008, it was reported that Relativity Media had obtained the rights to produce a new film adaptation of I, Claudius. Jim Sheridan was named as director.^[2]

Theatre

The novel has also been adapted for theatre. The 1972 production I, Claudius was written by John Mortimer and starred David Warner.^[3]

Audio

Two different audio readings of the novel, both performed by Derek Jacobi, have been produced (both in abridged versions), one by Dove Audio (1986) and one by CSA Word (2007).

Frederick Davidson performed an unabridged reading for Blackstone Audiobooks in 2008.

In 1988, Jonathan Oliver performed an unabridged reading for ISIS Audio Books.