"THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEH."

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1944, 30 December 1913, Page 8

"THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEH."

Bulw'er Lyttqn's great . Roman , tragedy, "T,ho Last Days of ponipeii;" was pictorially. presented to a,largo and interested'house at tlio King's Theatre last The film is sv masterpiece in reproduction of one of the most stirring events of all time, and hears -evidence that no expense has been spared to riiakfc realistically perfect the different scenes thi'dwii on the screen. To those acquainted with Lyiton's immortal work it was.a joy to witness the picturo prcsonted> Those unacquainted with tho'book followed with the deepest interest tho story which was- so clearly shown. . The old Roman atmosphere of tho days of l'ompeii is a feature of the story, arid tho love romance/ of Glaticus and lone is full of human interest. Lydia's splendid personality loses nothing in reproduction tiv tlio kinematopraph.' An augmented orchestra contributes music, which blends accurately with the scenes presented, and adds greatly to tho enjoyment of those witnessing the regal raaijfiifiwnce shown on the film. .In seems wouderful to remember that the scenes thrown before one occurred over 1800 ye'aw ago. Pompeii, was destroyed in A.t>. TU, yet here in tho twentieth century one is shown scones .which for over seventeen centuries lay clothed in impeiietrabk) mystery. The city of Ponipeii was partly disinterred in 1750, and excavation has gone 011 ever since. Thus was Lytton enabled to describe with accuracy events of long-past history, nrid the ingenuity, of mail enabled to transfer these scenes to pictures for the benefit of those hi. all parts of the world. In the film tho early struggles of Christianity with heathen superstition are dealt with in such a manner that- the film uever lacks interest. The sumptuous existence of many of tho Romans is ono of tho.iaost interesting points, and the tray lift of the I'ompeiian lounger, is vividly depicted in a- series of scenes at tlio baths, •vrhich served as a general iiieeting-ninco for the aristocracy. The "Sylph Dances" at the baths constitute a very pretty picture, and other pretty scones are: "The Tei'nplo of Isis." aiid tho noonday excursion on tho Caspian Sea. The arena scene, whore Glnucus faces tlio lions, is one of the most- spectacular of the whole entertaiflnsc-nt. Fiftynine gladiators, and fifteen lions, tigers.: etc., are depicted, and it is.estimated tliat fully 0000 spectators line the tieri!. of the arena. The vengeance of the volcano Vesuvius is awe-inspiring! Lava and hot smoke are seen to nour from the volcano in a most, realistic manner. "While Glauoits and Oiinthus stilt face the beasts in the arena a vast vapour shoots from the summit of A'esuvius, a firo that shifts and wavers in its lines, now luminous, now dull, and dving red. AfW tho terrible destruction of the city, Nydin.'s pathetic devotion t,o : Glauc.tis, whom she loves, is shown iiv a. stirring scene, as she l-\ads him and Tone to tlie shore where safety is. Tlif-ii she leaves the lovers, and-ensts herself: wanted 110 longer, info the sea.