MovieChat Forums > The Last Days of Pompeii (1935) Discussion > Rathbone's performance really a standout...

Rathbone's performance really a standout?

posted 17 years ago by freesharon
4 replies | jump to latest

I've read numerous reviews of this film that point to Basil Rathbone's performance as the only one worth watching. I saw it for the first time (as an adult) this weekend, and did not find that to be my experience. The acting was typical of the period (1935), with Rathbone's performance the most classically theatrical, and the others more unschooled/naturalistic. The overall effect was that he was schooled in an entirely different fashion than the other characters, which - for the most part -- made sense.
I found myself crying during the last quarter of the film. It's schmaltzy, but it works for what it is. And the special effects were great for the era. Not a film I will watch over and over, but one I will keep for when I'm in the mood for toga epics without lots of gore.

"There are three sides to every story: yours, mine, and the truth." ~ Robert Evans

[–] Dejael 14 years ago

Good review, freesharon,

I thought ALL acting parts in this classic epic were well acted, by a fine cast of excellent thespians. Of course, Preston Foster and Basil Rathbone are the standouts, with your points well taken. However the supporting cast lends an aura of realism due to their fine acting skills to this story which otherwise could have been maudlin and static, and were remarkable performers, from David Holt, who plays Flavius as a boy, all the way down to Zeffie Tilbury as the wise woman.

Dejael

[–] Mithrandir-Olorin888 14 years ago

There are allot of subtleties necessary to depicting the character of Pilate, especially on that fateful day.

Baron Wolf did a fine job.

When the chips are down... these "Civilized" people... will Eat each Other

[–] BoyScoutKevin 10 years ago

Basil Rathbone has always been one of my favorite actors, so I have seen alot of his film performances, including this one. And if I had to pick his 10 greatest performances, this may not be at the top, but it would certainly be among the top 10. He has seldom been better.

[–] spookyrat1 8 years ago

Just interesting seeing the "kid glove" treatment the character receives from the script writers, both before and after.🐭