This film is a bit of a surprise, as you'd think this was a film by Cecil B. DeMille since it is a huge spectacle with a vaguely Christian message. However, this is NOT a Paramount film and instead the man behind the film was Marian C. Cooper--the same guy who had made "King Kong". And, incidentally, Willis O'Brien (the stop-motion guy who created Kong) did the special effects in this film.
The film begins, not surprisingly, in Pompeii. However, it's decades before the eruption in 79 AD. A nice blacksmith (Preston Foster) is living a happy life. But, when his wife and son are killed, he finds himself willingly becoming a gladiator. In the process, he gains great fame as well as adopts the young son of one of his dead opponents. How does all this eventually lead to the life of Christ and the ultimate destruction of their town? See the film and find out for yourself! There are a few quibbles I have about the film (such as how quickly Foster goes from being a nice guy to becoming a jerk-face as well as the weird 'redemption' at the end of the film that will probably make theologians wince). But, overall, it IS entertaining and seems to have a little bit more depth in the characterizations than a DeMille epic. Entertaining even if the story lags a bit towards the end--and the effects were quite nice for 1935--even if they seem cheesy compared with those in use today.
The film begins, not surprisingly, in Pompeii. However, it's decades before the eruption in 79 AD. A nice blacksmith (Preston Foster) is living a happy life. But, when his wife and son are killed, he finds himself willingly becoming a gladiator. In the process, he gains great fame as well as adopts the young son of one of his dead opponents. How does all this eventually lead to the life of Christ and the ultimate destruction of their town? See the film and find out for yourself! There are a few quibbles I have about the film (such as how quickly Foster goes from being a nice guy to becoming a jerk-face as well as the weird 'redemption' at the end of the film that will probably make theologians wince). But, overall, it IS entertaining and seems to have a little bit more depth in the characterizations than a DeMille epic. Entertaining even if the story lags a bit towards the end--and the effects were quite nice for 1935--even if they seem cheesy compared with those in use today.