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The Borgias

The Borgias

★ 8.7/10•1981•55m•Drama
Similars

A a serial in ten parts on the lives of one of the most intriguing families in history.

Ken Taylor · Writer

John Prebble · Writer

Brian Farnham · Director

StatusEnded
Runtime55m
LanguageEN
First Air DateOct 14, 1981

Episodes

E155m

Part 1

1492: The Pope dies. Rodrigo Borgia in spite of his age and his many illegitimate children sees a last chance for election to the Papal throne. He sets about achieving it by a mixture of bribery, blackmail and political cunning.

Oct 14, 1981

E255m

Part 2

1495: Charles VIII of France, at the head of a vast army, invades Northern Italy on his way to claim the Kingdom of Naples. Rome stands defenceless in his path. Has the power of the Borgias been shortlived?

Oct 21, 1981

E355m

Part 3

Having scored a diplomatic victory over the French, the Pope now turns his attention to crushing the treacherous Orsini family. Cesare's jealousy is further inflamed by the appointment of his brother, Juan, as Commander of the Papal Army.

Oct 28, 1981

E455m

Part 4

Lucrezia awaits the annulment of her marriage and the birth of her baby in a remote convent. Juan is dead. Lucrezia does not know that Cesare arranged the murder. because of a mistaken belief that Juan had made her pregnant.

Nov 4, 1981

E555m

Part 5

Cesare has renounced the priesthood for worldly ambition. King Louis of France has given him a Dukedom and a wife. Alfonso Biselli, Lucrezia's new and adored husband, knows too much about Cesare's secret treaty with the French and fears for his life.

Nov 11, 1981

E655m

Part 6

Against the Pope's will, Cesare has caused a rift between Rome and the Kingdom of Naples by the assassination of Lucrezia's second husband. While she mourns at Nepi, he has arranged a secret meeting with another enemy of Naples.

Nov 18, 1981

E755m

Part 7

Luerezia has been persuaded to agree to another marriage, this time to Alfonso d'Este, eldest son of the Duke of Ferrara; but Cesare, demands that her first loyalty be always to him.

Nov 25, 1981

E855m

Part 8

Rodrigo Borgia has lost control of Cesare, who has made as many foes as conquests. As Cesare rides to Milan to meet Louis XII of France, his enemies attempt to join forces against him.

Dec 2, 1981

E955m

Part 9

The Pope, fountainhead of all Cesare's power, is dead. Suddenly surrounded by enemies, in need of all his strength and cunning, Cesare lies gravely ill. The power of the family is in jeopardy.

Dec 9, 1981

E1055m

Part 10

Although Cesare has failed in his attempt to poison his old rival, Cardinal Rovere, he believes he can control the new Pope Pius III. But Pius' reign is rapidly cut short.

Dec 16, 1981

Actors

Oliver Cotton

Oliver Cotton

Cesare Borgia

Maurice O'Connell

Maurice O'Connell

Michelotto

Anne-Louise Lambert

Anne-Louise Lambert

Lucrezia Borgia

Louis Selwyn

Louis Selwyn

Jofre Borgia

Adolfo Celi

Adolfo Celi

Rodrigo Borgia

Ralph Nossek

Ralph Nossek

Johann Burchard

Eleanor David

Eleanor David

Sancia

Barbara Shelley

Barbara Shelley

Vannozza Canale

Alfred Burke

Alfred Burke

Giuliano della Rovere

Carl Forgione

Giorgio

Clive Merrison

Clive Merrison

Ascanio Sforza

Martin Potter

Martin Potter

Paolo Orsini

Peter Benson

Peter Benson

Gaspare Pato

Nicholas Le Prevost

Nicholas Le Prevost

Baglioni

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