When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, it unleashed molten rock, pumice, and scorching ash that engulfed the ancient city of Pompeii, claiming the lives of thousands. This catastrophic event stands as one of the most infamous natural disasters in history, inspiring numerous documentaries and at least one hit song. Among these, Tom Hiddleston stars in a compelling new three-part documentary series from National Geographic titled Pompeii: Out of Time, where he embodies a “time detective,” bringing the vibrant stories of Pompeii’s inhabitants to life.
Interestingly, the connection to Marvel is evident, as the concept of Out of Time came to fruition. Executive producer Kevin Wright, who also worked on the Disney+ series Loki, crafted a scene where Hiddleston’s character travels back in time to ancient Pompeii. Hiddleston’s study of classics at Cambridge University and his teenage visit to Pompeii has profoundly influenced his career trajectory.
“Tom’s storytelling is infused with contagious passion,” Wright shared with Ars Technica. “This series captures the essence of Pompeii and can pique the interest of even those who typically avoid documentaries.”
The Pompeii documentary series integrates historical facts with Hiddleston’s personal explorations. It centers on three key figures: a teenage boy, a local businessman, and an SS guard, tracking their last 24 hours to uncover their fates. Unlike traditional documentaries with stylized reenactments, this series employs high production values to deliver a cinematic experience, redefining the expectations of documentary storytelling.
“We envisioned using our imagination to craft a more relatable human narrative,” Wright explained. “This isn’t just ancient history; these were real individuals. Despite living 2,000 years ago, their lives share similarities with ours today.” He adds, “One breakthrough moment occurred when we melded the concept of ‘history’—a blend of fiction and fact—recognizing that the Latin roots for ‘story’ and ‘history’ are the same. Hiddleston inspired that revelation, and when we presented it to historians, their enthusiasm was unmistakable. There’s a burgeoning movement within archaeology advocating for this fresh approach.”
Source: arstechnica.com