Augustus: The First Emperor (2003)

In the throes of civil unrest, the bloody heart of Rome pulses with an insatiable hunger for power. Amidst this chaos, the young Augustus, alongside his steadfast companion Agrippa, embarks on a perilous journey to Spain. Their mission: to bolster the efforts of Julius Caesar against the formidable forces of Pompey. Despite being heavily outnumbered, their courage and strategic prowess lead them to a momentous victory. This triumph marks the beginning of Augustus' meteoric rise to power. Following a grand entrance into Rome and a brief sojourn to Greece, he returns to the heart of the empire, only to be confronted with the earth-shattering news of Caesar's assassination. Undeterred, Augustus leverages his wit and charisma to secure the support of the masses and the reins of political power. In the tumultuous aftermath of Caesar's demise, unlikely alliances form. Augustus finds an ally in Marc Antony, a fierce adversary of Brutus and Cassius, the conspirators against Caesar. Antony's relentless pursuit of justice results in a wave of brutal executions, eradicating the crème de la crème of Roman society. Among the casualties is the husband of Livia Drusilla, the woman who once held the young Augustus' heart. As the dust settles, Augustus and Antony emerge victorious in the Battle of Phillipi, only for the spoils of war to strain their alliance. Antony, now the lover of the Egyptian queen Cleopatra, becomes a threat to Augustus' reign. A decisive war ensues, leaving Augustus as the sole ruler of the Roman Empire, ushering in an age of prosperity, culture, and artistic bloom. However, the echoes of power struggles reverberate in the quiet corners of the royal household. Torn between his beloved daughter, Julia, who resents her preordained destiny, and his stepson, Tiberius, who is torn between duty and reluctance, Augustus navigates the labyrinth of familial politics. Amid this brewing storm, his wife Livia Drusilla emerges as his most trusted advisor, unearthing a deadly conspiracy led by Iullus, the son of Marc Antony and lover of Julia, against the emperor. As Augustus grapples with the specter of betrayal and the throbbing pulse of power, the fate of the empire hangs in the balance. Augustus: The First Emperor paints a vivid portrait of a man caught in the relentless tide of destiny, love, and power, shaping the course of history in the crucible of Ancient Rome.

Augustus: The First Emperor is a drama movie featuring Peter O'Toole.

Augustus: The First Emperor is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and Pluto TV.

It is also possible to buy Augustus: The First Emperor on Amazon Video.