Robert Graves Archive: Audio and Video Resources

This page contains links to useful multimedia items available on the web. The four recordings of Graves reading his own work were available as early as 1994, though they disappeared for a while, before being relocated to an archive area of the original Internet Town Hall web site. The Sun audio format versions of these recordings are now available also from both the Robert Graves Society web sites (the St John's College site and its mirror in Canada), so they are likely to remain accessible for the foreseeable future.

The Miranda Seymour interview was first broadcast on the 27th September 1999 by WBUR in Boston. RealAudio format.

The audio and video clips in the 'I, Claudius' section of this page became available in mid-1999. They have been made available by Earthstation 1, a Microsoft web site which exists to encourage users to upgrade their multimedia applications: principally in this case to applications which can handle Layer 3 mpeg encoding (please read the notes about what you will need to play these files before downloading). The site contains audio and video clips from many other television programmes and films, and is located at: http://earthstation1.com/

Robert Graves reading his prose and poetry

Four recordings of Robert Graves reading are available from Harper Audio, via the Internet Multicasting Service (Archive), in three audio formats.

Robert Graves, Part 1

Robert Graves reads an excerpt from "The White Goddess"

• .au format (4 Mb), .gsm format (1 Mb), .ra format (0.6 Mb).

Robert Graves, Part 2

Robert Graves reads his poems "The Hills of May," "Angry Samson," "In Procession," "Warning to Children," "The Cool Web," "Song of Contrariety," and "The Presence."

• .au format (5 Mb), .gsm format (1 Mb), .ra format (0.6 Mb).

Robert Graves, Part 3

Robert Graves reads "Flying Crooked," "Any Honest Housewife," "A Jealous Man," "The Cloak," "Time," "Ogres and Pygmies," "To Bring the Dead to Life," and "Like Snow."

• .au format (5 Mb), .gsm format (1 Mb), .ra format (0.6 Mb).

Robert Graves, Part 4

Robert Graves reads his poems "To Juan at the Winter Solstice," "The Death Room," "My Name and I," "The Survivor, " The Foreboding," "Cat-Goddesses," "The Blue Fly," "Sirocco at Deya," and "Leaving the Rest Unsaid."

• .au format (5 Mb), .gsm format (1 Mb), .ra format (0.6 Mb).

Miranda Seymour on Robert Graves: broadcast on WBUR (Boston), plus phone-in. In RealAudio format. The interviewer is Chris Lydon. First broadcast on 27 September 1999 Available from WBUR. Includes Chris Lydon reading Graves poem: 'Flying Crooked'. The interview took place to promote Miranda Seymour's novel 'The Telling', then receiving its American paperback publication under the alternative title: 'Summer of '39'. Interestingly this programme (56 minutes) filled the second part of a two hour show, the first part of which was an interview with Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the Web. WBUR can be found at: http://www.wbur.org/
[links added 12 Nov 1999. Later file moved to Realserver: link updated 01 March 2000]

'I, Claudius' Audio and Video Clips

The theme music from the television series is available by clicking on the 'I, Claudius' graphic which heads this section (the file is about 1.5 megabytes in size). 120 audio clips are available from Microsoft Earthstation 1: 65 from the BBC Television series of 1976, with Derek Jacobi and John Hurt, and 55 from the unfinished film made in 1939, with Charles Laughton and Merle Oberon. 10 video clips are available from the television series. If you need help playing any of the Wavs (most of us), go to the Earthstation 1 Sound Apps Page, where you can download players able to deal with Layer 3 mpeg encoded Wav files. With the exception of Macintosh users, that is, who are referred to a version of SoundApp which dates from 1997 - before the public advent of mpeg encoded Wav files. Even the latest version of SoundApp, available elsewhere, cannot play these files, I'm afraid. Users of various versions of Windows can download a new version of Media Player, which has the necessary codecs to deal with this new Wav format.

The 10 video clips are highlighted in bold (they require the latest version of RealPlayer). Altogether they amount to around twenty minutes of the series. They should come in at about 22 kb a second: if you have a slow dialup connection the clips may jump or not play at all. It is recommended that these clips are viewed at the default Realplayer size: just imagine that you are travelling Virgin Atlantic to or from Europe and are watching one of the little screens mounted on the back of the seat in front. My favourite is Macro announcing that Caligula has become a god, closely followed by Livia's address to the gladiators.

All of the sound & video files listed here were digitized in 1999 by James Charles Kaelin.

Links to other 'I, Claudius' sites, which provide plot summaries, still photographs, critcal essays, timelines, and Graves' Latin sources, are available from this site.

Audio and Video from the BBC 'I, Claudius' Television Series (Derek Jacobi, John Hurt, 1976)

1. IC01 The family of young Claudius cries out at the spectacle of eagles in aerial battle over a wolf cub.
   
   
2. IC02 Domitius reads the portent of the eagles that have fought over the wolf cub they then dropped into Claudius' lap.
   
   
3. IC02a From the above - Claudius' sister Livilla: "Claudius as 'Protector of Rome'! I hope I shall be dead by then!" Claudius' mother Antonia: "Go to your room! You shall have nothing to eat for the rest of the day!"
   
   
4. IC03 Claudius' grandmother, the Empress Livia: "Does Lucius (her grandson) know you're plowing his mother's furrow with such ferocious skill and energy?"
   
   
5. IC04 Livia: "(Laughs) Oh, you've a mighty high opinion of yourself, haven't you?"
   
   
6. IC05 Livia: "Do you imagine that I would stoop to buying you off when I could swat you like a fly if I wanted to?"
   
   
7. IC06 Livia: "Hold your tongue. I will tell you what I want and you will provide it."
   
   
8. IC07 The historian Pollio gives Claudius the advice that will henceforth guide his behavior throughout his life.
   
   
9. IC07a From the above - Pollio: "Look here, Claudius, I'll give you some good advice."
   
   
10. IC08 Pollio: "It's a pleasure to talk to you, my boy, I must find Livy!"
    
    
11. IC09 Augustus Caesar raves about Quinctilius Varus' loss of the Imperial Eagles (atop Roman standards) to Cherusci tribes in the military debacle of Tuetoburg Forest.
    
    
12. IC09a From the above - "Those damn barbarians have got my eagles!"
    
    
13. IC09b From the same - "Quinctilius Varus, WHERE ARE MY EAGLES?"
    
    
14. IC10-13 A RealVideo clip of Livia's chilling address to the gladiators about to perform at games held in the honor of her son Drusus Nero Germanicus, father of Claudius.
    
    
15. IC10 From the above - Livia begins her address to the gladiators.
    
    
16. IC11 From the same - Livia continues her address, warning against "kiss-in-the-ring stuff".
    
    
17. IC12 From the same - a classic moment: "These games are being degraded by the increasing use of professional tricks to stay alive - and I won't have it!"
    
    
18. IC13 From the same - Livia warns the gladiators that they will be sent "to the mines in Numidia" if they do not meet her demands.
    
    
19. IC14-16 A RealVideo clip of another classic moment: Sejanus' interrogation of Asinius Gallus.
    
    
20. IC14 From the above, the interrogation begins.
    
    
21. IC15 From the same, Sejanus tries a soft touch with Gallus after having him roughed up.
    
    
22. IC15a An excerpt from from the above - Gallus: "A song sung by every small town corrupt policeman, which is what you are, and what you should have stayed!"
    
    
23. IC16 The interrogation continues as Gallus delivers a cutting speech to Sejanus of great depth and stirring insight, in the midst of being beaten into unconciousness .
    
    
24. IC16a From the above, Gallus cites Sejanus as an example of "a small mind allied to unlimited ambition".
    
    
25. IC16b From the same, Gallus refers to Sejanus as "the putrifaction that spreads after death" with regard to the corruption of Roman rule.
    
    
26. IC16c From the same, Gallus delivers the unforgettable line "You're a lesson in history to me, Sejanus - proving, that above all, manking needs its sense of SMELL!" before slipping into unconciousness. Sejanus orders he be brought round to continue his interrogation.
    
    
27. IC17 A RealVideo clip of Caligula's ascension to the Emperorship, just prior to the revelation that the previous Emperor, Tiberius, wasn't quite dead yet.
    
    
28. IC17 The above in .wav format.
    
    
29. IC17a From the above - Macro: "Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen, I'm sure there's been some sort of mistake!"
    
    
30. IC18 A RealVideo clip of Caligula's second, and final, ascension to the Emperorship.
    
    
31. IC18 The above in .wav format.
    
    
32. IC19 Claudius reports to Drusilla and Herod the "metamorphosis" of Caligula into a god.
    
    
33. IC19a From the above - Claudius to Herod: "My friend, this could be the best thing that ever happened to us!"
    
    
34. IC20 Macro announces to the Senate and city officials the "metamorphosis" of Caligula into a god.
    
    
35. IC20 The above in .wav format.
    
    
36. IC20a From the above - Macro announces that Caligula has become a god.
    
    
37. IC20b From the same - Macro declares that "although He (Caligula) is now a God, he is still the same loveable young man we've alway's known", and that He has "decided, for convenience, retain his mortal form - oh, and by the way, his sister Drusilla has become a goddess."
    
    
38. IC21 Senator Lentilus: "Gentleman - posterity will envy us!" Herod: "Posterity will call you an ass, you idiot!"
    
    
39. IC22 Caligula recounts to Cassius the progress of his argument with a river god.
    
    
40. IC23 Caligula: "O, by Jove! Which is always to say 'by Myself'!"
    
    
41. IC23a From the above, the sound of Caligula laughing.
    
    
42. IC24-26 A RealVideo clip of Caligula's return to Rome, fresh from the German and "Neptunian" fronts.
    
    
43. IC24 From the above, Caligula addresses the Senate and city officials.
    
    
44. IC25 From the same, Caligula displays the booty won from battle with Neptune.
    
    
45. IC25a Excerpt from the above - Caligula: "Show them our booty!"
    
    
46. IC25b Excerpt from the same - Caligula: "He-he-he won't take me on again in a hurry!"
    
    
47. IC26 From the same RealVideo file as the above - Caligula prepares to decapitate each member of the reception delegation.
    
    
48. IC26a From the above - Caligula: "That won't save you!"
    
    
49. IC27 Another classic moment - Caligula in drag summons a pre-dawn viewing of his own choreographic production of "The Dance of Dawn".
    
    
50. IC27 The above in .wav format.
    
    
51. IC28-29 Caligula invites the racehorse-come-senator Incitatus to Claudius' wedding.
    
    
52. IC28 The above in .wav format.
    
    
53. IC29 From the same as the above - Caligula: "Let the auspices be taken."
    
    
54. IC30-35 The penultimate moment of the series - a reluctant Claudius addresses the Senators on his conditions for becoming Emperor of Rome.
    
    
55. IC30 From the above, the Imperial Fanfare.
    
    
56. IC31 From the same, Claudius begins his address.
    
    
57. IC32 From the same, Claudius parries the objections of the Senate.
    
    
58. IC33 From the same, Claudius answers the final Senatorial objection with his most noble moment in the series.
    
    
59. IC33a An excerpt from the above - Claudius winningly answers the accusation that he is "half-witted".
    
    
60. IC33aa An excerpt from the same as the above - Claudius: "Evidently, quality of wits is more important than quality".
    
    
61. IC34 From the same RealVideo clip as the above, Claudius concludes his address to the Senators.
    
    
62. IC35 From the same, Claudius: "Now you may all leave my house!"
    
    
63. IC36 Claudius justifies to Herod his writing a true history of his family - for the benefit of his dead friends.
    
    
64. IC37 Herod gives Claudius some good advice - advice as much for dealing with people such as himself as anyone else.
    
    
65. IC37a From the above - Herod: "Trust no one, my friend - no one."
    
    
66. IC38 Claudius' advisors Pallas and Narcissus argue the price of corn in relation to the Emperor's plans for a new harbour.
    
    
67. IC38a From the above - Narcissus: "But that is sheer sophistry - one cannot argue with you!"
    
    
68. IC39 Claudius: "Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud hatch out."
    
    
69. IC40 Claudius: "(Quietly & laughing) Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud...hatch out!"
    
    
70. IC41 A RealVideo clip of Claudius' last address to the Senate.
    
    
71. IC41 An excerpt from the above, Claudius makes a cryptic reference to "something" he has done to ensure that all the great people he had known "will all live again".
    
    
72. IC42-43 A RealVideo clip of the death of the Emperor Claudius.
    
    
73. IC42 From the above, Sybill helps prepare Claudius for the final journey after death.
    
    
74. IC42a An excerpt from the above, Sybill: "It's time to go, Claudius. The Ferryman is waiting."
    
    
75. IC43 From the same RealVideo clip, Sybill bids Claudius "Fare-Well".

'I, Claudius' Movie Audio Files (Charles Laughton, Merle Oberon, 1939)

1. ICM01 Caligula teases Claudius about teaching his pigs to read "so as to have readers for all the Roman histories you write."
   
   
2. ICM02 Caligula and Claudius meet Livia for dinner.
   
   
3. ICM03 From the above - Caligula: "Grandmother, do you remember my dear uncle Claudius, who prefers the society of pigs to that of the court?"
   
   
4. ICM04 Caligula: "Grandmother - think of his table manners!"
   
   
5. ICM05 Livia to Caligula: "Be silent, you impudent puppy!"
   
   
6. ICM06 Livia: "Am I right, Claudius?"
   
   
7. ICM07 Caligula: "Don't let him start talking, he might have a stroke!"
   
   
8. ICM08 Senator Asiaticus pompously calls for a 50 gold piece bonus to be paid to each soldier in the Army.
   
   
9. ICM09 After objection is raised to Asiaticus' proposal, Caligula calls an for an end "to this oratory".
   
   
10. ICM10 From the above - Caligula: "Enough of this oratory!"
    
    
11. ICM11 Caligula arrogantly demands payment of a bonus to the Army.
    
    
12. ICM12 From the above - Caligula: "Are the married people taxed? No! Well, then tax them. Tax the single. Tax those that have children, and those that have not. Tax those who ride, and those that go on foot. Tax those that have doors and windows, and tax those that haven't any!"
    
    
13. ICM13 Senators unctiously agree to Caligula's call for higher taxes.
    
    
14. ICM14 From the above - Asiaticus: "I could not have expressed such lofty sentiments better myself."
    
    
15. ICM15 Caligula "rewards" the Senate with the induction of the racehorse Incitatus as a fellow Senator.
    
    
16. ICM16 Caligula declares he'll "honor this noble house" by appointing Incitatus as a Senator.
    
    
17. ICM17 Thrasyllus greets Claudius with "Ah, my Lord Claudius! I hope you're well!"
    
    
18. ICM18 Claudius (Charles Laughton): "I limp with my tongue and stutter with my leg! Nature never quite finished me."
    
    
19. ICM19 From the above - Claudius: "Nature never quite finished me."
    
    
20. ICM20 Claudius movingly recounts his various maladies to Thrasyllus.
    
    
21. ICM21 Claudius is forced to humor Caligula in the midst of his delusion that he has become a god.
    
    
22. ICM22 From the above - Claudius: "It's good to see you're better, Caesar."
    
    
23. ICM23 From the same - Caligula: "It's the most momentous transformation that any human being has ever achieved!"
    
    
24. ICM24 From the same - Caligula: "A prophecy is about to be fulfilled. I am being...reborn!"
    
    
25. ICM25 From the same - Caligula: "A prophecy is about to be fulfilled."
    
    
26. ICM26 From the same - Claudius: "I hope your condition is not too painful!" Caligula: "It is painful to be ones own mother!"
    
    
27. ICM27 From the same - Claudius: "I hope your condition is not too painful!"
    
    
28. ICM28 Caligula: "Well, idiot! Can't you see any change in me?" Claudius: "I was blind not to see it instantly - you're no longer human! May I be the first to worship you as a go-go-go-go-god..."
    
    
29. ICM29 From the above - Caligula: "Well, idiot!"
    
    
30. ICM30 From the same: Claudius: "I was blind not to see it instantly - you're no longer human! May I be the first to worship you as a go-go-go-go-god..."
    
    
31. ICM31 From the same: Caligula: "It took you a long time to perceive that I'm no longer human!"
    
    
32. ICM32 Caligula declares his "first act as god" will be one of clemency - a postponement of Claudius' death.
    
    
33. ICM33 From the above - Caligula: "My first act as god shall be one of clemency."
    
    
34. ICM34 Caligula: "Behold! I am generous as only a god could be! I sentence you to death, Claudius, in the most beautiful possible way!"
    
    
35. ICM35 From the above - Caligula: "Behold! I am generous as only a god could be!"
    
    
36. ICM36 From the same - Caligula: "I sentence you to death, Claudius, in the most beautiful possible way!"
    
    
37. ICM37 Asiaticus insults Claudius as the latter appears in the Senate for deliberations over whether or not to approve him as Emperor.
    
    
38. ICM38 A Senator passionately declares his support of Claudius for Emperor.
    
    
39. ICM39 The Army & Senate argue over whether or not to approve Claudius as Emperor.
    
    
40. ICM40 In one of the great moments of cinema, Claudius addresses the Senate as they deliberate whether or not to approve him as Emperor.
    
    
41. ICM41 From the above - Claudius ripostes to Senator Sentius.
    
    
42. ICM42 An excerpt from the above - Claudius: "I thought your talents were confined to neighing like a horse!"
    
    
43. ICM43 From the same as those above: Claudius: "Is there anyone else who wishes to call attention to my misfortunes - or shall I call attention to yours?"
    
    
44. ICM44 An excerpt from the above: Claudius: "Is there anyone else who wishes to call attention to my misfortunes?"
    
    
45. ICM45 From the same as those above - Claudius calls upon each demagogue Senator in turn to face up to his accusations.
    
    
46. ICM46 An excerpt from the above - Claudius: "Not only are you a pompous ass and a hypocrite, but you've acquired your position through bribery!"
    
    
47. ICM47 An excerpt from the same as the above - Claudius: "Not only are you a profiteer, but since we're dealing in personalities, you're a stuffed and puffed-up glutton!"
    
    
48. ICM48 An excerpt from the same - Claudius: "You'd sell your soul for the tail-end of an anchovy!"
    
    
49. ICM49 From the same as those above- Claudius: "Since no one else seems eager to show his eloquence, I will inform you of the conditions upon which I will accept your support."
    
    
50. ICM50 From the same - Claudius gives the Senate his conditions for becoming Emperor.
    
    
51. ICM51 An excerpt from the same - Claudius: "I, Claudius!"
    
    
52. ICM52 From the same as those above - Claudius: "I will break everything rotten in this Senate like an old dry twig!"
    
    
53. ICM53 Claudius gives the Army the conditions upon which he will become Emperor and passes judgment upon the assassins of Caligula.
    
    
54. ICM54 An excerpt from the above - Claudius: "You didn't strike for your country. You killed in the name of your own private grudges."
    
    
55. ICM55 An excerpt from the same as the above - Claudius: "What fate do you consider you deserve?"
    
    

The original Earthstation locations for the I, Claudius TV Sounds Page; and the original I, Claudius Movie Page

'I, Claudius' files added to this page 16 August 1999.

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Page updated 06 March 2000

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