I just watched the film version of "Up Pompeii" and, boy, was I disappointed. Many years ago, our PBS station showed the TV series on an irregular basis, and I adored it. Frankie Howerd as Lurcio, the narrator and slave of a Senator, was a riot. The swift pacing and all the double and triple entendres was a delight to watch. Obviously a rip off of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum", never the less, it remains one of the funniest TV series I have ever seen. The film...well, it isn't very good. The script is filled with the same type of gags, but the energy level of the film is almost non-existant. It is also a dark film, in the physical sense. Very badly lit, it appears gloomy, which isn't good for a comedy. Mr. Howerd tries his hardest, and he is still wonderfully droll to watch, but the magic of the series just ain't there.
However, since I haven't seen the series on the air for far too many years, I guess it will have to do.
However, since I haven't seen the series on the air for far too many years, I guess it will have to do.