Pompeii: The Volcanic Eruption Heard ‘Round the World!
Pompeii begins with a young boy named Milo witnessing the Romans murder his family and people. Milo is captured and enslaved. The movie jumps to the boy as a young man who is now a gladiator called Celt. His impressive gladiator skills result in him being sent to Pompeii to fight. On his transport to Pompeii, he crosses paths with a noble lady named Cassia whose horse is in pain. Celt comes from horse people and helps Cassia put the horse out of its misery. The two connect instantly. Cassia comes from a wealthy family in Pompeii, and she is returning from a year in Rome.
Celt arrives in Pompeii and is cellmates with a gladiator champion named Atticus. If Atticus wins one more battle in the arena, he will earn his freedom. Celt is paired to fight Atticus in his final match. Simultaneously, Cassia reunites with her parents. Her father, Severus, is looking to start a new business venture in Pompeii and is hoping for investment from the Emperor. Senator Corvus, also a leader in the Roman army, comes to Pompeii to investigate the business opportunity. The Roman Emperor is not investing, but Senator Corvus would like to invest on his own. Corvus’ intentions are not pure because he has been pursuing Cassia romantically, but the feelings are not mutual. Senator Corvus also happens to be the leader of the army who killed Celt’s people.
At this time, there was resistance and unrest among the people of Pompeii towards Rome. On the eve before the gladiator event, Cassia and Celt cross paths again, and he helps her calm her horse down. Celt rides the horse with Cassia up into the mountain and is punished for his actions. Corvus requests a change in the gladiator event, ensuring that Celt will be killed. This provides an opportunity for Celt and Atticus to work together and both win.
As the film reaches the climax, Mount Vesuvius is nearing its eruption. Milo and Atticus win the battle, and when Corvus can call for them to be killed, Cassia jumps in and signals for them to live. Corvis punishes Cassia by locking her up. Then the volcano begins to erupt, and everyone in Pompeii is trying to get to the harbor to sail away to safety. Milo goes to save Cassia and plans to meet back up with Atticus. In the process, there are more fights. Atticus wins and becomes a free man, and Milo saves Cassia and defeats Corvus. In the end, they all die as the magma from the volcano burns them all alive.
This film was a great watch, and it was interesting to see the negative feelings that the people of Pompeii had toward Rome. I would like to know more about the history and what occurred that made them feel that way. Additionally, it was intriguing to see the mock design for Severus’ business plan of the new chariot racing arena and other new infrastructure plans. The Romans had extremely extravagant designs, and it is very shocking to see what they built with the technology of the time.
