Customer Reviews

The Last Days Of Pompeii

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I ordered this with some trepidation; the other pan and scan version of this 1959 film is a travesty, as other customers on Amazon have noted.

This version, however, is in true CinemaScope, with gorgeous color, no scratches, and the usual terribly dubbed English soundtrack, as in all versions of the film, but that's to be expected. It has French main and end titles, but the film's dialogue is pure English language "postsynchronese," as Geoffrey O'Brien would put it.

Sergio Leone directed most of the film, when the film's nominal director fell ill after one day of shooting; an added bonus is the presence of Fernando Rey as the film's chief villain. Rey would later gain fame as "Frog #1" in THE FRENCH CONNECTION, and also worked with Luis Bunuel in the 1970s; he handles his role here with his customary brilliance.

All in all, even though this is a standard issue sword and sandal film, Leone's direction, Rey's performance, and the colorful cinematography make this version far superior to the 1935 RKO version.

BUT --- AVOID THE PAN AND SCAN VERSION OF THIS FILM AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE ON AMAZON. There's no reason to order it when this print is in scope, with gorgeous color, and a very clean transfer. Fair warning.

The movie was good. The action was great. I had seen it as a child and it was great to get to see it again.