The Last Days of Pompeii 1959

     This film is based on a novel by Edward Bulwer-Lytton.  The setting is in Pompeii before and after the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in AD 79.  Pompeii had a substantial population and possibly 11,000 inhabitants at the time of the eruption.  This area became prosperous from the region’s renowned agricultural fertility.  Life could be very difficult unless you were a person of wealth.  Some people were tradesmen, craftsmen, shopkeepers, laundry workers, wine makers but there were also slaves.  There was a forum, four public baths, an amphitheater, swimming pool and an aqueduct providing water for more than 23 street fountains, a large number of private houses and business and some out-of-town villas.  The inhabitants had become used to minor quaking but there was a severe earthquake on 5 February 62.  It did considerable damage and would have been registered between about 5 and 6 on the Richter scale.  The eruption of Vesuvius occurred in 79 on August 24.  Ships of the Imperial Navy were stationed in the Bay to assist in evacuations.  Heat of at least 482 degrees Fahrenheit was the main cause of death of the people.  Originally, the cause was thought to be from ash suffocation.  The people were also covered in up to 12 different layers that rained down for about six hours.

     This is an interesting film and its age doesn’t matter because the scenes are of historical events.  The sharp contrast in the divisions of the different groups of people is also interesting.  The people were also very drawn to the entertainment of the arena where gladiators fought to the death.  It was a way to make a LOT of money and receive adoration but death could happen during any battle.   3 ½* (I liked this movie)  

103 min, Action directed by Mario Bonnard with Steve Reeves, Christine Kaufmann, Fernando Rey, Barbara Carroll, Anne-Marie Baumann, Mimmo Palmmara, Guillermo Marin, Angel Aranda, Carlo Tamberlani, Mario Morales, Mino Doro, Angel Ortiz, Mario Berriatua, Lola Torres, Ignazio Dolce.

Note:  The book has 3.6* out of 5* with 1657 votes on Goodreads.com.  Imdb 5.7 out of 10, 33% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 3.8* out of 5* with 50 reviews, Letterboxd 2.8 out of 5, TCM Leonard Maltin 3* out of 4*, user rating average 3.45*.  

Special Note:  Filmed at CEA Studios, Madrid, Spain; Cinecitta Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy; Pompeii, Naples, Campania, Italy.  Steve Reeves is in the role of Glaucus Leto and he suffered a major injury during filming.  A chariot he was driving struck a tree and dislocated his shoulder.  The injury never full healed and it was the end of his more intense bodybuilding routines.  These routines had be a part of most of his life.  Director Mario Bonnard became ill on the first day of shooting.  Sergio Leone took over as Director.  Many of the same cast and crew members would later be hired for Sergio Leone’s first credited directorial effort, The Colossus of Rhodes from 1961.  Sergio Leone and Sergio Corbucci and Duccio Tessari were introduced to the deserts of Spain during filming.  They were later inspired to use these locations for the spaghetti westerns.