"The Last Days of Pompeii" is one of the lavish spectacle films that all of the major studies made during the 1930s. These were mostly set during the time of history from the Greek through the Persian and the Roman empires - roughly 1200 BC to 400 AD. This one takes place during the Roman Empire in the time of Jesus. It is an epoch of sorts, covering several decades, and it follows one man and his exploits, adventures and acquaintances.
Preston Foster plays Marcus, a lowly blacksmith, who loses his young family in Pompeii. He then becomes a gladiator, travels to Africa as a slaver, and goes to war for Pontius Pilate against a neighboring tribe in the Holy Land. He later returns to Pompeii where he is wealthy. The cast includes several prominent names in the Hollywood of the period. Basil Rathbone plays Pontius Pilate, Alan Hale plays Burbix, John Wood is the grown Flavius whom Marcus adopted after he killed his father. Louis Calhern is the Prefect, child-star David Holt plays the young Flavius, Frank Conroy plays Gaius Tanno, and a host of others fill out a huge cast.
Ward Bond leads a list of some of the uncredited actors who would become well known in the years ahead. Jason Robards Sr is in an uncredited role as is All-American football legend and actor, Jim Thorpe.
The movie has lots of action and very good sets and recreations of costumes and customs of the time. It ends with the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. The movie credits make clear that the film doesn't resemble at all the story in the 1834 novel of the same title by Edward Bulwer-Lytton. It does credit him for inspiration for the sets.
Movies with historical settings of these ancient times are hardly ever made anymore. "Gladiator" of 2000 broke a long dry spell and showed that there still is interest in such films. But, another huge production, "Alexander," flopped four years later. Some of the great and very good films of the past will likely endure well into the future. Films, such as "Ben-Hur" of 1959, "Cleopatra" of 1963, and "Julius Caesar" of 1953.
Preston Foster plays Marcus, a lowly blacksmith, who loses his young family in Pompeii. He then becomes a gladiator, travels to Africa as a slaver, and goes to war for Pontius Pilate against a neighboring tribe in the Holy Land. He later returns to Pompeii where he is wealthy. The cast includes several prominent names in the Hollywood of the period. Basil Rathbone plays Pontius Pilate, Alan Hale plays Burbix, John Wood is the grown Flavius whom Marcus adopted after he killed his father. Louis Calhern is the Prefect, child-star David Holt plays the young Flavius, Frank Conroy plays Gaius Tanno, and a host of others fill out a huge cast.
Ward Bond leads a list of some of the uncredited actors who would become well known in the years ahead. Jason Robards Sr is in an uncredited role as is All-American football legend and actor, Jim Thorpe.
The movie has lots of action and very good sets and recreations of costumes and customs of the time. It ends with the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. The movie credits make clear that the film doesn't resemble at all the story in the 1834 novel of the same title by Edward Bulwer-Lytton. It does credit him for inspiration for the sets.
Movies with historical settings of these ancient times are hardly ever made anymore. "Gladiator" of 2000 broke a long dry spell and showed that there still is interest in such films. But, another huge production, "Alexander," flopped four years later. Some of the great and very good films of the past will likely endure well into the future. Films, such as "Ben-Hur" of 1959, "Cleopatra" of 1963, and "Julius Caesar" of 1953.