Pompeii (2014) is an action movie infused with a romantic storyline and a historical background depicting the greatest catastrophe. Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and released by TriStar Pictures on February 21, 2014, the story revolves around a gladiator named “The Celt” who tries to pursue his love interest amidst the looming eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which threatens to devastate the city of Pompeii. However, his passion encounters a complicated obstruction related to the lustful political revenge of a senator from the Roman Empire. With this plotline, Pompeii promises audiences a thrilling tale of love, politics, and disaster.
The Storyline
Pompeii (2014) tells the story of The Celt (Kit Harrington), who, after gaining victory in the gladiator arena, catches the eye of a slave trader named Graecus. Graecus takes The Celt to Pompeii to fight in a bigger arena. On the way, they encounter a horse-drawn carriage carrying Cassia (Emily Browning), the daughter of the governor of Pompeii, who has just come back from Rome. After the wheel hits a pothole, one of the horses gets severely injured, and The Celt is asked to put it out of its misery. This act captures Cassia’s heart, and they start developing feelings for each other.
The Celt builds both a rivalry and a friendship with the arena champion Atticus (Kiefer Sutherland), who has been promised freedom if he wins the final fight. The Celtic reveals his real name, Milo, and starts engaging in the politics of the city.
The Eruption
Apart from the drama and romance in Pompeii, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius is undoubtedly the primary emphasis of the movie. The catastrophic natural disaster that shook the whole world forms a significant part of the storyline and has been presented by Anderson through surreal cinematography. The climactic fight between the gladiators begins just as the volcano erupts, and the whole arena starts to crumble down, causing mayhem.
As the entire city of Pompeii becomes overrun by hellfire and lava, Milo decides to rescue Cassia, who has been captured by the Roman soldiers. Meanwhile, Atticus heads to the port. The two men are forced to leave the city, which was thought to be their battlefield, behind and run for their lives.
Conclusion:
Pompeii (2014) is an epic masterpiece that takes us back to the time of the Roman Empire and the terrible calamity it faced. Anderson has done a fantastic job in bringing ancient history to life, highlighting the lavishness and the extravagance of the era while simultaneously conveying the raw emotion of the natural catastrophe that destroyed Pompeii. The heartwarming love story of two star-crossed lovers amidst the chaos of the eruption is beautifully portrayed, making it a must-watch for all the history movie buffs. With an electrifying climax and impressive visual effects used to depict the deadly eruption, Pompeii is undoubtedly a movie worth watching.
