Pompeii: The Last Day

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Vesuvius erupting over the city of Pompeii
Vesuvius erupting over the city of Pompeii
Remains of victims found in Herculaneum
Remains of victims found in Herculaneum

Pompeii: The Last Day is a 2003 dramatized documentary that tells of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on 24th August 79 AD. This eruption covered the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in ash and lava, killing all those trapped between the volcano and the sea. The documentary accurately portrayed the different phases of the eruption although the digitally created images of the city itself are not entirely accurate. It was directed by Peter Nicholson and written by Edward Canfor-Dumas. It was a BBC/TVE co-production.

Contents

[edit] Plot

The documentary tells the story of the eruption from the point of view of assorted inhabitants of Pompeii and Herculaneum whose names and occupations are known, including a local politician, a fuller, and two gladiators. It draws heavily on the eyewitness account of Pliny the Younger as well as historical research and recent discoveries in volcanology. Extensive CGI was used to recreate the effects of the eruption.

[edit] Cast

  • F. Murray Abraham - Narrator (USA version)
  • Alisdair Simpson - Narrator (UK version)
  • Rachel Atkins - Plinia
  • Omar Berdouni - Callistus
  • Emily Canfor-Dumas - Slave girl
  • Jim Carter - Polybius
  • Rebecca Clarke - Fortunata
  • Chrissie Cotterill - Epidia
  • Jonathan Firth - Stephanus
  • Martin Hodgson - Gaius
  • Leigh Jones - Sabinus
  • Neji Nejah - Restitutus
  • Tim Pigott-Smith - Pliny the Elder
  • Chad Shepherd - Africanus
  • Katherine Whitburn - Julia
  • Robert Whitelock - Celadus
  • Inika Leigh Wright - Hedone
  • George Yiasoumi - Felix

[edit] Gallery

[edit] External links

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