Has anyone seen the new 3-episode program hosted by Tom Hiddleston? It’s on Nat Geo TV. At first I wasn’t sure about the unique approach he uses, but soon I was enthralled. The show brings to life the experiences of the people in Pompeii and Herculaneum. He uses archeological information, experts in the field, recreations with actors and imagination to paint a picture of what happened. It’s very moving and beautifully done.
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
5086 posts
No, but now I’ll have to look for it. Especially since we were just at both places this past May.
Posted by
Calgary
2172 posts
Thanks! Just set up to record it.
Posted by
Virginia
949 posts
I won’t try to post a link but the review of this show in the Guardian is an amusing read.
Posted by
Portsmouth
6093 posts
I won’t try to post a link but the review of this show in the Guardian is an amusing read.
Thanks Slate. I read the review and I don't think it's my cup of tea so I'll give it a miss.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
7 posts
Great feature on Tom Hiddleston and "Pompeii: Out of Time" in today's New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/25/arts/television/pompeii-tom-hiddleston-national-geographic-documentary.html?unlocked_article_code=1.0VA.kUuW.EbQZA-ngcKb1&smid=url-share
Interesting that he's fluent in Latin and Greek. This quote gave me a chuckle:
“He had a fantastic command of the languages, ancient Greek and Latin, to a very high degree,” said Prof. Torsten Meissner, who was his director of studies in classics at Pembroke. “The translations had real flair.”
Posted by
3841 posts
Watching this program reminded me of how much I really enjoyed the Roman Architecture lectures available online through Open Yale Courses. Many of the lectures discuss Pompeii, but this one seems especially relevant. "Civic Life Interrupted: Nightmare and Destiny on August 24, A.D. 79"
Posted by
Bay Area SF & Uppsala Sweden 🇸🇪
2005 posts
Thanks Kathy, and Estimated Prophet, as I hadn't gotten that far in the Harvard (oops, Yale!) lectures so now I've watched the episode you highlighted.
I did watch the previews, which left me with the feeling it was more about the narrator showcasing himself with a background of Pompeii, so I think based upon that hilarious review in the Guardian, I think it's just not my cuppa. But thanks for the lovely reminder about Pompeii!
We LOVED the New Dig on PBS, Pompeii: Disaster Street (Sorry, this one is on Curiosity Stream.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDs0x1b1MUk & Secrets of Pompeii's Dead which weirdly is here subtitled in Dutch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF09wQpd8VE&t=199s.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
17428 posts
I’ll have to read the Guardian review. Not my cup of tea or as a seasonal drink I’ll say not my glass of Huckleberry daiquiri, lol. Too much of him looking intense like he is thinking or having an idea or doing some kind of odd movement with his hand (is that from Spiderman?).
I did learn some things in the 1st episode. I didn’t realize it took a whole day to cover the town. For some reason I guess I imagined it being a pyroclastic blast like Mt, St Helen’s. Also interesting they had the pre-blast earthquakes.
I liked the disaster psychologist he had on but with he’d let her talk more.
I’m glad others are enjoying it!
Posted by
Calgary
2172 posts
Well, I watched the first episode, and I have to agree. It's a bit cheesy and contrived for my taste, although I have long been a big fan of Tom Hiddleston. I guess I don't need help to imagine the people who were living in Pompeii on that fateful day. I tend to do that all on my own, anyway.