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{{about|the 2003 docudrama|other works with similar titles|The Last Days of Pompeii (disambiguation)}}
{| style="float:right; border-collapse:collapse"
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
|[[Image:Pompeii the last day 5.jpg|150px|thumb]]
{{more citations needed|date=April 2010}}
|[[Image:Pompeii the last day 6.jpg|167px|thumb]]
{{Infobox television
|-
| image = Pompeii ---- The Last Day.jpg
|colspan="2"|<center>''Scenes from the documentary.''</center>
| caption = Title screenshot
|}
| alt_name =
| genre = [[Docudrama]]
| creator =
| writer = [[Edward Jones carter]]
| director = [[Peter Nicholson (television)|Peter Nicholson]]
| creative_director =
| developer =
| presenter =
| starring = {{unbulleted list
| [[Tim Pigott-Smith]]
| [[Jonathan Firth]]
| [[Jim Carter (actor)|Jim Carter]]
}}
| voices =
| narrated = {{unbulleted list
| [[Alisdair Simpson]]
| [[F. Murray Abraham]]
}}
| theme_music_composer =
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| composer = [[Ty Unwin]]
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| num_seasons =
| num_episodes =
| list_episodes = <!--// Production-specific //-->
| executive_producer = [[Michael Mosley]]
| producer = [[Ailsa Orr]]
| editor =
| location =
| cinematography =
| camera =
| runtime = 90 minutes
<!--// Broadcast-specific //-->
| channel = [[BBC One]]
| released = {{Start date|2003|10|20|df=y}}
| related = {{unbulleted list
| [[Building the Great Pyramid|''Pyramid'']]
| ''[[Colosseum: Rome's Arena of Death]]''
}}
<!--// External links //-->
}}


'''''Pompeii: The Last Day''''' is a dramatized documentary that tells of the [[eruption]] of [[Mount Vesuvius]] in the year [[79]] [[Anno Domini|AD]]. This eruption covered the [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] cities of [[Pompeii]] and [[Herculaneum]] in ash and [[lava]], killing all those trapped between the [[volcano]] and the sea. The [[documentary film|documentary]] accurately portrayed the different phases of the [[eruption]]. It was directed by Peter Nicholson and written by [[Edward Canfor-Dumas]]. It was a [[BBC]]/[[Televisión Española|TVE]] co-production.
'''''Pompeii: The Last Day''''' is a 2003 dramatized documentary that tells of the eruption of [[Mount Vesuvius]] towards the end of August 79 CE.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45874858|title=Pompeii: Vesuvius eruption may have been later than thought|date=16 October 2018|publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref name=LetzenTagePomp>{{cite journal |journal=Sie Letzen Tage von Pompeji .... Als die Zeit Stehen Blieb |title=Die Forschung... |page=14 |volume=4/2022 |date=August 2022 |publisher=[[Der Spiegel]] (Spiegel Geschichte)}}</ref> This eruption covered the ancient Roman cities of [[Pompeii]] and [[Herculaneum]] in ash and pumice, killing a large number of people trapped between the volcano and the sea. The [[documentary film|documentary]], which portrays the different phases of the [[eruption]], was directed by Peter Nicholson and written by [[Edward Canfor-Dumas]].

==Production==
The film is directed and produced by the [[BBC]] in co-production with [[TLC (TV channel)|TLC]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/09_september/12/colosseum_pompeii.shtml |work=BBC - Press Office located near Pompeii |title=The Romans come to BBC ONE}}</ref>
{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}}<!-- IMDb shows Television Española (TVE) as the co-producer, but this claim is not backed up anywhere else. In the U.S., the show was shown, sold on DVD, and awarded an Emmy as being on the Discovery Channel, one of TLC's sister channels. Likely "TVE" is a typo/mishearing of "TLC" or "Discovery" somewhere. -->

== Awards ==

*Winner: sound supervisor Simon Farmer won the [[57th Primetime Emmy Awards|2005 Primetime Emmy Award]] for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program (Single or Multi-Camera)|Outstanding Sound Editing for Nonfiction Programming (Single or Multi-Camera)]] for this production.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.emmys.com/award_history_search?start_year=2005&end_year=2005&web_category=406 | title = Primetime Emmy Award Database | website= Emmys.com | publisher = [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] | location = [[Los Angeles]] | accessdate = 22 April 2010 }}</ref><ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0369838/awards |title=''Pompeii: The Last Day'' (2003) (TV) - Awards|publisher=IMDb}}</ref>
* Nominations: BAFTA 2004 nominations for Flaherty and RT Audience<ref name=autogenerated2 />
* Winner: BBC Factual Audience Award<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://www.peternicholsonfilms.com/Pompeii/page9.html |title=Review of ''Pompeii: The Last Day''|website=peternicholsonfilms.com|page=9}}</ref>
* Winner: RTS Education Award<ref name=autogenerated1 />

This was the highest rated specialist factual programme of the year with an audience of 10.3 million and a 40% share.<ref>{{cite web|website=peternicholsonfilms.com|page=15|url=http://www.peternicholsonfilms.com/page15/page15.html|title= About Me}}</ref>


==Plot==
==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 [[Fulling|fuller]], and two [[gladiator]]s. It draws heavily on the eye-witness account of [[Pliny the Younger]] as well as historical research and recent discoveries in [[volcanology]]. Extensive [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] was used to recreate the effects of the eruption.
The documentary tells the story of the eruption of [[Mount Vesuvius]] from the point of view of assorted inhabitants of [[Pompeii]] and [[Herculaneum]] whose names and occupations are known, including a local politician and his family, a [[Fulling|fuller]], his wife, and two [[gladiator]]s. Historical characters include [[Pliny the Elder]] and his nephew [[Pliny the Younger]]. It draws heavily on the eyewitness account of [[Pliny the Younger]], as well as historical research and recent discoveries in [[volcanology]]. Extensive [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] was used to recreate the effects of the eruption.{{citation needed|date=June 2014}}

===Death throes===
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2014}}
Most of the people who were in [[Pompeii]] when the fourth [[pyroclastic surge]] hit either died instantly or slowly suffocated to death.

*The death throes of those in the family of '''Julius Polybius''' are based upon the 1975 discovery of the skeleton of a heavily pregnant girl (Julia) surrounded by her family, in the actual House of Julius Polybius. Julia's husband, '''Sabinus''', is shown to have most likely poisoned himself and presumably was the skeleton lying near the foot of the bed Julia's body was found on, along with the bones of her [[fetus]].
*The death of '''Stephanus the Fuller''' is based upon a cast found of a man in the [[fetal position]] (the cast is locked up in an onsite warehouse for safekeeping{{citation needed|date=June 2014}}).
*The death of Stephanus' wife, '''Fortunata,''' is based upon the discovery of the body of a rich bejeweled lady in the gladiator barracks, alongside those of gladiators.
*In [[Herculaneum]], the death throes are much simpler, as most people were found during excavations either on the beach or inside the boat houses. Additionally, unlike [[Pompeii]], when the pyroclastic surges hit Herculaneum, people there were instantly killed, whereas most Pompeians slowly suffocated, although some died instantly.


==Cast==
==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 (actor)|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


{| class="wikitable sortable"
==External links==
|-
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/#pompeii Official BBC Pompeii Website]
! Actor
*{{imdb title|id=0369838|title=Pompeii: The Last Day}}
! Name
! Description
|-
| [[Jim Carter (actor)|Jim Carter]]
| Julius Polybius
| A wealthy Pompeiian, husband of Epidia and father of Julia.
|-
| [[Chrissie Cotterill]]
| Epidia
| A wealthy Pompeiian, wife of Polybius and mother of Julia.
|-
| [[Katherine Whitburn]]
| Julia
| Daughter of Polybius and Epidia, wife of Sabinus; 7 months pregnant.
|-
| Leigh Jones
| Sabinus
| Husband of Julia.
|-
| [[George Yiasoumi]]
| Felix
| Slave to Polybius; has a wife and two sons.
|-
| [[Jonathan Firth]]
| Stephanus
| A wealthy Pompeiian, owner of a fullery. Married to Fortunata.
|-
| [[Rebecca Clarke (actress)|Rebecca Clarke]]
| Fortunata
| Married to Stephanus.
|-
| [[Inika Leigh Wright]]
| Hedone
| Slave and lover to Stephanus.
|-
| [[Neji Nejah]]
| Restitutus
| Slave to Stephanus.
|-
| [[Robert Whitelock]]
| Celadus the Thracian
| Pompeiian gladiator, friend to Africanus.
|-
| [[Chad Shepherd]]
| Africanus
| Pompeiian gladiator, friend to Celadus
|-
| [[Tim Pigott-Smith]]
| [[Pliny the Elder|Gaius Plinius Secundus]]
| Roman Navy Commander. Brother to Plinia and uncle to Pliny the Younger.
|-
| [[Martin Hodgson (actor)|Martin Hodgson]]
| [[Pliny the Younger|Gaius Plinius Caecilius]]
| Nephew to Pliny the Elder and son to Plinia.
|-
| [[Rachel Atkins]]
| Plinia Marcella
| Sister to Pliny the Elder and mother to Pliny the Younger.
|-
| [[Tony Amendola]]
| [[Pomponianus]]
| Friend of Pliny the Elder. Lived in [[Stabiae]].
|-
| [[Emily Canfor-Dumas]]
| Slave girl
| Slave from [[Herculaneum]].
|-
| [[Omar Berdouni]]
| Callistus
| Pompeiian working for Polybius. Father to seven-year old Claudia.
|-
|}


==Gallery==
{{commons|Pompeii: The Last Day}}


{{Portal|BBC}}
[[Category:BBC television history docudramas|Pompeii, the last day]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/09_september/12/colosseum_pompeii.shtml Official Press Release] at BBC Press Office
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/09_september/12/pompeii.pdf Official Press Pack] at BBC Press Office
* {{IMDb title|0369838|Pompeii: The Last Day}}


[[nl:Pompeii: The Last Day]]
[[Category:Pompeii in popular culture]]
[[Category:BBC television docudramas]]
[[Category:Discovery Channel original programming]]
[[Category:Documentary films about volcanoes]]
[[Category:Emmy Award–winning programs]]
[[Category:2003 television specials]]
[[Category:Films set in Campania]]
[[Category:Films set in ancient Rome]]
[[Category:Films set in 79 AD]]
[[Category:BBC television documentaries about prehistoric and ancient history]]

Latest revision as of 22:03, 15 November 2024

This article is about the 2003 docudrama. For other works with similar titles, see The Last Days of Pompeii (disambiguation).

Pompeii: The Last Day
Title screenshot
GenreDocudrama
Written byEdward Jones carter
Directed byPeter Nicholson
Starring
Narrated by
ComposerTy Unwin
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerMichael Mosley
ProducerAilsa Orr
Running time90 minutes
Original release
NetworkBBC One
Release20 October 2003 (2003-10-20)
Related

Pompeii: The Last Day is a 2003 dramatized documentary that tells of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius towards the end of August 79 CE.[1][2] This eruption covered the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in ash and pumice, killing a large number of people trapped between the volcano and the sea. The documentary, which portrays the different phases of the eruption, was directed by Peter Nicholson and written by Edward Canfor-Dumas.

Production

[edit]

The film is directed and produced by the BBC in co-production with TLC.[3][citation needed]

Awards

[edit]

This was the highest rated specialist factual programme of the year with an audience of 10.3 million and a 40% share.[7]

Plot

[edit]

The documentary tells the story of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius from the point of view of assorted inhabitants of Pompeii and Herculaneum whose names and occupations are known, including a local politician and his family, a fuller, his wife, and two gladiators. Historical characters include Pliny the Elder and his nephew Pliny the Younger. 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.[citation needed]

Death throes

[edit]

Most of the people who were in Pompeii when the fourth pyroclastic surge hit either died instantly or slowly suffocated to death.

  • The death throes of those in the family of Julius Polybius are based upon the 1975 discovery of the skeleton of a heavily pregnant girl (Julia) surrounded by her family, in the actual House of Julius Polybius. Julia's husband, Sabinus, is shown to have most likely poisoned himself and presumably was the skeleton lying near the foot of the bed Julia's body was found on, along with the bones of her fetus.
  • The death of Stephanus the Fuller is based upon a cast found of a man in the fetal position (the cast is locked up in an onsite warehouse for safekeeping[citation needed]).
  • The death of Stephanus' wife, Fortunata, is based upon the discovery of the body of a rich bejeweled lady in the gladiator barracks, alongside those of gladiators.
  • In Herculaneum, the death throes are much simpler, as most people were found during excavations either on the beach or inside the boat houses. Additionally, unlike Pompeii, when the pyroclastic surges hit Herculaneum, people there were instantly killed, whereas most Pompeians slowly suffocated, although some died instantly.

Cast

[edit]
Actor Name Description
Jim Carter Julius Polybius A wealthy Pompeiian, husband of Epidia and father of Julia.
Chrissie Cotterill Epidia A wealthy Pompeiian, wife of Polybius and mother of Julia.
Katherine Whitburn Julia Daughter of Polybius and Epidia, wife of Sabinus; 7 months pregnant.
Leigh Jones Sabinus Husband of Julia.
George Yiasoumi Felix Slave to Polybius; has a wife and two sons.
Jonathan Firth Stephanus A wealthy Pompeiian, owner of a fullery. Married to Fortunata.
Rebecca Clarke Fortunata Married to Stephanus.
Inika Leigh Wright Hedone Slave and lover to Stephanus.
Neji Nejah Restitutus Slave to Stephanus.
Robert Whitelock Celadus the Thracian Pompeiian gladiator, friend to Africanus.
Chad Shepherd Africanus Pompeiian gladiator, friend to Celadus
Tim Pigott-Smith Gaius Plinius Secundus Roman Navy Commander. Brother to Plinia and uncle to Pliny the Younger.
Martin Hodgson Gaius Plinius Caecilius Nephew to Pliny the Elder and son to Plinia.
Rachel Atkins Plinia Marcella Sister to Pliny the Elder and mother to Pliny the Younger.
Tony Amendola Pomponianus Friend of Pliny the Elder. Lived in Stabiae.
Emily Canfor-Dumas Slave girl Slave from Herculaneum.
Omar Berdouni Callistus Pompeiian working for Polybius. Father to seven-year old Claudia.
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Pompeii: Vesuvius eruption may have been later than thought". BBC. 16 October 2018.
  2. ^ "Die Forschung...". Sie Letzen Tage von Pompeji .... Als die Zeit Stehen Blieb. 4/2022. Der Spiegel (Spiegel Geschichte): 14. August 2022.
  3. ^ "The Romans come to BBC ONE". BBC - Press Office located near Pompeii.
  4. ^ "Primetime Emmy Award Database". Emmys.com. Los Angeles: Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
  5. ^ a b "Pompeii: The Last Day (2003) (TV) - Awards". IMDb.
  6. ^ a b "Review of Pompeii: The Last Day". peternicholsonfilms.com. p. 9.
  7. ^ "About Me". peternicholsonfilms.com. p. 15.
[edit]
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