Up Pompeii (1971)

Roman slave Lurkio inadvertently becomes the possessor of a scroll naming the proposed assassins of the Emperor Nero. Administering to the participants of his master's orgy guests seems ... See full summary »

Director:

Bob Kellett

Writers:

Sid Colin (screenplay), Talbot Rothwell (idea)

Stars:

Frankie Howerd, Michael Hordern, Barbara Murray

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Frankie Howerd	...	Lurcio
Michael Hordern	...	Ludicrus Sextus
Barbara Murray	...	Ammonia
Patrick Cargill	...	Nero
Lance Percival	...	Bilius
Julie Ege	...	Voluptua
Bill Fraser	...	Prosperus Maximus
Rita Webb	...	Cassandra
Bernard Bresslaw	...	Nero's Champion / Gorgo
Adrienne Posta	...	Scrubba
Madeline Smith	...	Erotica
Royce Mills	...	Nausius
Ian Trigger	...	Odius
Aubrey Woods	...	Villanus
Hugh Paddick	...	Priest

Storyline

Roman slave Lurkio inadvertently becomes the possessor of a scroll naming the proposed assassins of the Emperor Nero. Administering to the participants of his master's orgy guests seems small compared to the trouble the scroll brings - but all are in for a nasty shock when Mount Vesuvius decides to erupt.

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Plot Keywords:

orgy | roman slave | gay | toga | slavery | 

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Taglines:

It's Ludicrus Maximus - When the Forum Loses Its Decorum!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 March 1971 (UK)

Also Known As:

Up Pompeii, i polis ton orgion

Filming Locations:

Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Anglo-EMI, Associated London Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the same 'News of The World' DVD, Actors Warwick Sims and Jonathan Dennis are credited in the main titles but omitted from the end titles.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Lurcio: [during the opening credits when Frankie Howerd is displayed in small letters] Oh come on, bigger!
Lurcio: [the name gets bigger] Don't be ashamed of it!
Lurcio: [now bigger] Bigger!
[now even bigger]
Lurcio: Bigger!
Lurcio: [the name is now very large, and most of it has disappeared] Alright, don't go mad!

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Connections

Followed by The Chastity Belt (1971)

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Soundtracks

"Up Pompeii"
(Main Theme)
Written by Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley
Sung by Frankie Howerd (uncredited)

User Reviews

70's Britcom at its best (or worst)

Depending on whether you like 70's britcom, you will either love this or hate it. For me it epitomizes a simpler era - one where sexist humor was acceptable and not everything had to be so PC. The thing it is most like is a series from the same era - the name escapes me but it had a black and white couple living next to each other with the men making snide racist comments across the garden fence, but respecting each other underneath, while the wives sat in the kitchen bitching about men over a cup of tea.

Frankie Howerd is, well, Frankie Howerd. He brings the audience right into the film acting as both lead actor and narrator. It is full of his classic one line wit which has never been emulated by anyone (some may say this is good thing, but not me; Nay, Nay and thrice Nay!). The sets were clearly done on a budget, and if you like whiz-bang special effects then forget it. This was clearly a Frankie Production.

So (in the words of jib-jab) if you are a left wing weenie, forget this film, but if you are a stupid dumb ass (like me), take a look.