Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.5

The Borgias: The First Season Blu-ray Movie Review

The church was scandalous way back then, too.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman December 13, 2011

We are in sight of our goal.

When television artistry meets the cravings of the masses for deviousness and debauchery, the end results winds up looking a lot like The Borgias, Showtime's adult-oriented television show set in the late 1490s that examines the life and times of the scheming Pope Alexander VI. Many shows these days seem like they're more about turning a profit or delivering raw shock value -- which certainly aren't goals without merit -- than they are about producing a working piece of art; The Borgias blurs that line between lower-common-denominator elements and more carefully and precisely assembled drama by delivering a series that's far more refined than Camelot and less blatantly carnal than Spartacus. The Borgias does indeed mimic these -- and other -- adult-centric shows in both its themes of corruption, backstabbing, dirty politics, and other nefarious affairs and in its depiction of violence and sexuality as keystone elements in the weaving of the greater narrative. However, Neil Jordan's (The Crying Game) The Borgias is a cut above; it's smart and balanced rather than overzealous, and its structure, narrative, and characters are far more refined and their actions just as damning and devious without the gratuitous violence and sex and excessive use of foul language that tend to overwhelm similar recent shows that aim to put a different spin on history than what's traditionally found in dusty old tomes and texts.

His not-so-holy Holiness.

Rome, 1492. The city is the spiritual center of the world, but with its position of influence comes a devious scramble to the top when the aged Pope Innocent VIII dies. His replacement will figuratively rule over all the land, immediately becoming not a man of God but a man of men, the most powerful figure in the world, greater, even, than kings and a man revered for his title rather than his bloodline. Amongst the candidates scheming towards the Papacy is the Spaniard Rodrigo Borgia (Jeremy Irons), whose desire to ascend to the Papacy know no boundaries. His campaign is defined by corruption and bribery, and with the help of his loyal son Cesare (François Arnaud), the family's misdeeds pay off: Rodrigo acquires the necessary votes and is crowned Pope. But reaching the top doesn't mean an end to dirty politics. Rodrigo, now Pope Alexander VI, faces numerous challenges to his legitimacy, mostly through the pursuit of Cardinal Giuliano Della Rovere (Colm Feore) who despises and disaproves of the new Pope's sinful and corruptible ways and who will stop at nothing to see him removed from power. Meanwhile, Rodrigo struggles through a rocky relationship with his longtime mistress and the mother of his children, Vannozza die Cattanei (Joanne Whalley), while he beds the youthful Giulia Farnese (Lotte Verbeek). As he builds alliances around Europe to establish and maintain his power, he arranges for his daughter Lucrezia (Holliday Grainger) to be married to Giovanni Sforza (Ronan Vibert) to solidify the support from his powerful and influential house.

For the characters of The Borgias, the work of God is a means not towards personal salvation and saving souls but rather a means towards a far less desirable end, an end not without merit but certainly not an end that reflects the Biblical teachings and the values which the characters supposedly hold dear. No, achieving a prominent position of religious power and authority is instead about pursuing man's work in a corruptible world where even the Papacy itself succumbs to the temptations of the flesh and the pursuit of other than spiritual satisfaction and perfection. This is a story about ambition, not to ascend to a greater plane of goodness and godliness but instead a race to the top of the political landscape, a race that's not won on merit but instead through covert dealings, corruption, intrigue, and even murder. The show wonderfully and, usually, seamlessly, conveys the rigors and hardships of this pursuit; the corruption and deviousness never end, and following the players' lust for power isn't just scandal and sin, but far-reaching consequences that will shape their destinies and forever alter the landscape of the world around them. The show is wonderfully complex yet easy to follow; it demonstrates a mastery of its time and its characters, weaving together a complete and immersing narrative that's as engaging as any historical drama that's come along in the past decade.

Just as critical to the show's success, aside from its mastery of period drama and storytelling, is the series' production values and casting. As to the former first, The Borgias is a runaway success. The show simply oozes authenticity and professionalism on every level. Though most of the digital effects shots -- primarily in the form of vast backgrounds -- definitely exude an air of phoniness, the rest of the series' production assets are amongst the cream of the historical drama crop. Set and costume design are breathtaking, and the show's ability to establish a film-quality atmosphere over the course of nine episodes is a testament to the strength of the story and the commitment to ensure that it's as structurally seamless and visually mesmerizing as a show of this sort may be. On the other hand, the casting is strong but is not particularly the series' finest asset. Jeremy Irons excels in the lead role, brining a balance to an otherwise corrupted and villainous character that sees him become, at times, almost likable, in a way, despite his villainy and dismissal of the values a man of his stature by definition should profess. Much of the cast, while strong, seems easily disposable; there's no James Gandolfini or Bryan Cranston in the group, meaning an irreplaceable figure who absolutely defines a character and a series. Even Irons doesn't quite reach that level, though it's certainly not for a lack of effort or for the quality of the show or script, which are all very high.

There are many striking elements within The Borgias, but it's perhaps the series' uncanny ability to look backwards yet still reflect modern society that's the truest testament to the show's value, while also serving as something of an indictment of a world that's still as nefarious as that of the late 1490s. It would seem, at least during a viewing of The Borgias, that the one overriding theme is that "the more things change, the more they stay the same." Theirs was a world, according to the show, of scandalous sex, unparalleled corruption, a yearning for power, and a dismissal of values in the name of achieving goals, earning titles, and other endeavors that may be noble but not when earned through ignominious means. Indeed, one cannot today turn on the television or click on a news website without seeing the same accusations, admissions, and gossip. It's a circular, seemingly never-ending pattern. Never mind that there's 500 more years of history upon which to reflect and a modern atmosphere of information traveling at the speed of Gs, both of which, one might rightly think, would restrain those who seek power for all the wrong reasons. Nevertheless, it holds true that absolute power corrupts absolutely, and perhaps the one thing that may corrupt more than absolute power is the pursuit of it, no matter the time or the place.

The Borgias: The First Season Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Borgias arrives on Blu-ray with a positively gorgeous 1080p, 1.78:1-framed transfer. The digitally-shot series sparkles and the 1080p resolution allows audiences to soak up every last little detail and splash of color the series has to offer, no matter the size of the display. Every episode is beautifully stable and yields incredibly clarity. Fine detail is extraordinary, from the beginning scenes that show every wrinkly line on a dying Innocent VIII's face and every little seam and stitch on his cap. The locales yield wonderful details via the many extravagant set pieces, including complexly-deissgned floors and façades. Clothing is richly detailed, too, and faces only suffer through infrequent bouts of troublesome color gradations, which sometimes reduce detail in lower light. Colors sparkle, popping off the screen with every red robe and every ornate decoration, particularly in well-lit daytime scenes. Shadowy corners occasionally devolve into crush, but blacks are mostly sturdy and natural. The digital photography is smooth but not glossy or artificial, and noise, banding, and blocking are largely absent. This is a fantastic Blu-ray transfer all around; fans and newcomers alike will be thrilled with the quality on display in each and every frame.

The Borgias: The First Season Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Borgias features a high quality Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. This is a rich, all-around and satisfying sonic experience. It generally lacks the figurative "big guns" sort of sound effects that define other top-tier action-oriented tracks, but while this one doesn't offer that same kind of raw power and energy, it does play with a commanding presence that nicely engulfs the listener into the world of 1490s religion and politics. The track handles music assuredly and with great clarity. Spacing is faultless, and the accompanying low end provides some much-needed body. Heavier sound effects, such as the rattling of a carriage and the pounding of horses hooves, are stable and true, while general ambience -- whether ringing bells signaling the election of a new Pope, reverberating voices in cavernous locales, the din of a crowd, or subtle effects in various exterior locations -- proves natural and immersive. Clarity and imaging both are excellent, and they go hand-in-hand, too, as every effect plays realistically and in perfect harmony with the on-screen action. Ultimately, however, the show is dialogue-driven; the track demonstrates a solid command of the spoken word, delivering it cleanly and clearly through the center channel at all times. This is a very good, satisfying, and natural Blu-ray soundtrack that serves the series very well.

The Borgias: The First Season Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Borgias contains no series-specific extras, at least not on-disc. All three discs offer BD-Live portals (inaccessible at time of publication) which, according to the packaging, will feature Casting of Cesare (presumably specific to The Borgias), Episode 2 of Dexter -- Season Six, Episodes 1 and 2 of Gigolos, and episodes 1 and 2 of Californication -- Season Four. Disc three of this set contains House of Lies Pilot Episode, Dexter Season 6 Episode 1, Episodes Episodes 1, and Episodes Episode 2. All on-disc episodes are presented with Dolby TrueHD 5.1 sound.

The Borgias: The First Season Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Borgias is a high quality Historical drama that's as engaging as its similar contemporaries, but through a more balanced approach that favors greater production values and plot over more raw elements like gratuitous sex and violence. Both play a large part in the The Borgias, but they compliment, rather than define, the program. Great production values, a good cast, and an intoxicating storyline make this one of the best new Dramas on television. Paramount's Blu-ray release of The Borgias features gorgeous video, strong audio, and a few extras. Highly recommended.