Those About to Die: Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down? (Review)
The peplum seen by Roland Emmerich: a Roman series that does not lack arguments, even if the grand spectacle leaves you wanting more.
It’s blockbuster season. And to keep you waiting until Gladiator 2, Peplum fans will be able to dive into the arena of Those About to Diea major Prime Video production, online today.
Ten episodes that take us back to the time of Emperor Vespasian. It is 79 years after Jesus Christ and while the people are grumbling in Rome, the power in place decides to build the Colosseum, a huge amphitheater intended to entertain people. Fierce gladiatorial combats and spectacular chariot races punctuate the lives of the Romans. And behind the scenes, the fight is also raging. Because behind the athletes are hidden rich houses that are made and unmade according to victories and defeats.
Bread and Games to ease tensions and manipulate the masses. This is sure to raise a smile, as the Paris Olympics open in a very tense socio-political context. Quite surprising in essence, Those about to die accurately tells the backstage of the circus, describing the influences of the powerful, and the importance of the Games at the time. A precise reconstruction of ancient Rome, which plays the card of historical truth without taking too many liberties. The screenwriter Robert Rodat knows how to do it. He had notably written We have to save the soldier Ryan for Steven Spielberg.
From negotiations to betrayals, the American series can be seen as a historical drama with some really interesting fictional figures, like the ambiguous Tenax (Iwan Rheon) ready to jostle for position to make his fortune. Or like Cala (Sara Martins), a fierce Numidian ready to do anything to free her slave children. Their two trajectories will also meet and the alchemy works at full capacity.
The form, on the other hand, leaves one frankly perplexed. While Roland Emmerich is the Hollywood big boss of big-screen cinema (Independence Day, 2012, The Day After etc.), his epic is seriously lacking in budget. The reconstruction – although largely filmed at Cinecittà in Rome – relies on special effects that do not live up to their ambitions. The impressive chariot races are a bit of an eye-opener, as are the digital lions thrown into the arena. And as much as the performance of the imperial Anthony Hopkinshighlighted on all the posters, but ultimately relatively little invested in the series.
And then Those About to Die abuses sex scenes. We remember RomeHBO’s cult classic, which also played the steamy card a lot. At the time, it was subversive. Exciting. But that was in 2008. 16 years ago, Those About to Die would have been, without a doubt, a prestigious event series. In 2024, it’s just good summer entertainment. The die is cast.
Those About to Die, season 1 in 10 episodes, to watch on Prime Video on July 19.