Deliciously Decadent ‘Claudius’ on Cassette

Evidently, the video companies don’t expect much business this Fourth of July weekend. However, for those independent souls who would like to avoid the parks and picnics and hole up in front of the TV, one new release does provide plenty of fireworks. It’s not a movie, but a British miniseries--regarded by many as perhaps the finest miniseries ever made: “I, Claudius.”

If you’ve somehow managed to miss PBS’ ongoing re-showing of this 13-hour adaptation of two Robert Graves novels, don’t throw yourself on a sword. The deliciously decadent story of Roman royalty 2,000 years ago is now available on seven cassettes from PBS Home Video ($24.95 each or $149.95 for the set).

RECENT MOVIES

No fireworks here. Just the infantile comedy sequel “Look Who’s Talking Too” (RCA/Columbia, priced for rental, PG-13) with John Travolta and Kirstie Alley, the thriller “The Man Inside” (RCA/Columbia, $89.95, PG) with Peter Coyote, and the romance “Fools of Fortune” (RCA/Columbia, $89.95, PG-13) with Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Julie Christie.

NON-MOVIE CASSETTES

“War in the Gulf: The Complete Story” (Turner, $19.98) appears to be the ultimate in telling the history of the recent conflict with Iraq. Narrated by CNN’s Bernard Shaw and employing that cable channel’s coverage (including Peter Arnett’s interview with Saddam Hussein), the six volumes are priced at $19.98 each or $99.98 for the set.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Next week: “Misery,” “Once Around.”

Future features: “The Russia House,” “Shipwrecked” and John Huston’s “Across the Pacific” (July 17), “L.A. Story” (July 18), the Mel Gibson “Hamlet” (July 24), “Sleeping With the Enemy,” “Alice” and “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” (July 25).

Also coming: the “Twin Peaks” pilot with 15 minutes of new material that Warner Home Video claims “offers further insights into the mystery of ‘Who Killed Laura Palmer?’ ” (Sept. 11).