Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Allison Davies The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Kimball Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

freyafae-16447 I definitely enjoyed Netflix version of Borgia so much better than the Showtime version. I already watched all three seasons of Netflix version and it was phenomenal as were the actors. I also found the actors more diverse, accurate and aesthetically pleasing than the Showtime version. Netflix version was more believable and historically accurate. I loved the different accents as it made the atmosphere and overall characters more realistic. I'm just starting the 2nd season of the Showtime version and it's such a different world all together from Netflix's Borgia. The Showtime version is just too Hollywood, fake and almost comical at times. I expected more of Showtime considering I love most of their shows i.e. loved The Tudors, Dexter, Weeds, Camelot and White Queen. Netflix is definitely a great competitor since they have a few pretty cool shows of their own. Sorry Showtime, have to go with the Netflix Borgia on this one. :-) Such an amazing show and cast especially Mark Ryder(Cesare), John Doman(Rodrigo Borgia) and Isolda Dychauk(Lucrezia). Mark Ryder was nice to look at and I loved every moment of Isolda's beautiful accent. (was quite pleasant)

writetopcat If the real life Borgias had been as peurile, stupid, naive, and bumbling as they are depicted in this series they would never have been known to history. The Borgia children in this series would not have survived the intrigue of the court of Rome. It seems creating series with incompetent characters is at a premium over at Netflix. The two main characters of the series The Killing are practically too emotionally screwed up to function, so childish they would never have been promoted to detective. I can see having characters with flaws, but Netflix goes overboard to the point of making their dramas a joke.

Always Learning Every time one sees a historical drama announced, one expects intense acting, intriguing historical revelations, flesh and blood enactment of events that changed the world, famous people passing by, and yes, a little fantasy, a little sex, you know...what is expected of historical television these days. This show is boring to a fault. The accents are terrible. The whole rhythm is predictable: a little intrigue among cardinals; followed by a little self flagellation, so we know we are talking about the Catholic Chruch; followed by a bloody squabble among young men, making sure we cut an ear or a finger; and of course lots of sex among forbidden partners. In short, a bore. For a masterful production, seek "Isabel" by Radio Television Española. We can get history with the fun and the sex, and not be yawning in the process.

mczerska1 Since watching the first episode of this show, I have been searching the web to see what people thought of this and was really surprised to find out that a lot of people thought this show to be better than "The Borgias" on Showtime. The main points in favor of Fontana's version seemed to be historical accuracy and the "European vibe". As far as the second argument, being European myself, I am not impressed with the "vibe" that consists mainly of full frontal nudity. I don't see why a sex scene can't be tastefully made and leave something to the imagination. I really don't need to see the genitals to know that people are having sex in a particular scene. As for the historical accuracy, having read a lot about the Borgia family, I see inconsistencies in both show, but one must remember that it is television and not a documentary. The Showtime series might take more liberties with history for the entertainment value, but it makes for more interesting story lines. What I can't forgive Fontana's version is the fact that the show would not invest money in props and costumes. These were supposed to be the richest people of their times, and yet Lucrezia seems to own two dresses and one set of jewelery, and the same goes with Giulia Farnese. Both women should be covered with jewels from head to toe, should wear elaborate gowns and have complicated hairdos (especially Lucrezia, who was very vain about her hair). Also, very often the set consists of white walls, a table and some chairs. Where the hell are frescoes, tapestries and golden and silver plates? For me these count as huge historical inconsistencies. The show has a small budget and is is obvious in almost every scene, whereas Showtime version had some of the most beautiful, lush sets, props and costumes in the history of television. Also, the matter of accents is a huge problem, but it was mentioned in all other reviews so I will not elaborate on this topic, and will only say that I agree that having members of the same family speak with six different accents is a ridiculous idea. As for the acting...The pope sounds like an American gangster, and John Doman is terrible in this role. There is nothing similar to the perfectly executed Rodrigo- Cesare power-play from Showtime's show. Juan Borgia looks as if they picked him up at the local gym and sticks out in the Reinessance Italy almost as much as his American dad. And Lucrezia is simply terrible. She is a far cry from Holliday Granger's spectacular performance, has no chemistry with her father and brother (truly, if they really had had that little chemistry the rumors about incest would have never been coined). And her terrible German accent ruins every line of dialogue she has. The only redeeming quality this show has is Mark Ryder as Cesare Borgia. Although I am a fan of Francois Arnaud's Cesare, I must admit that Mark Ryder does a great job. His Cesare is much more frightening and crazy, and sometimes even bipolar, which is probably historically more accurate. Especially in the second season, he really shines in this show. All in all, "Borgia" lacks all the features that made "The Borgias" so good: lavish costumes and sets, powerful Rodrigo-Cesare and Cesare- Lucrezia chemistry, and consistency in acting (and accents!). It is not a bad show, but it definitely looks like the Showtime's series' poor cousin. And if this is supposed to be the "European vibe", then I vote to go all Hollywood instead.