Almost all Roman epics centre around the civil wars of the Late Republic or pick a leading player from the Julio-Claudian dynasty. One of the best examples is the BBC's ‘I, Claudius', based on the novel by Robert Graves. It gave viewers in the 1970s a taste for Roman backstabbing and intrigue. Fast-forward fifty years and there remains an enduring fascination with depictions of Roman civilisation. With a sequel to ‘Gladiator' in the offing thanks to original director Ridley Scott, the time is ripe for more sword and sandals dramas.
Into the rings of the newly-built Coliseum and the Circus Maximus steps ‘Those About to Die'. The title is taken from the greeting that gladiators would give to the royal box as they prepared to put on a spectacle for which they might give their life. Unusually, the drama centres around the often-neglected Flavian dynasty. The patriarch is the Emperor Vespasian, splendidly played here by British big screen legend Anthony Hopkins. Vespasian is the first Emperor to rise to power without royal or patrician blood. He is the first former-plebeian ruler of the world's largest empire, having risen through the ranks of the army. Perhaps the greatest actor of his generation, Hopkins' portrayal of anything is worth seeing. He certainly brings out the humanity in Vespasian.
Vespasian's problem is that he is old, and whilst he is still of sound mind and body he must work out which of his two sons should be his successor – Titus the soldier or Domitian the politician. As the episodes progress and we get to know the family well, neither seems an ideal option. In that way, ‘Those About to Die' feels a bit like ‘Succession' but if it was set two millennia earlier.
As this preview will keep pointing out, the cast is superb. Tom Hughes plays the serious, bearded Titus with a suitable amount of alpha male gravitas. In a pleasing contrast, Jojo Macari manages to be effete and cruel with equal conviction as Domitian. You wouldn't want to have either of these sons as an enemy.
The drama doesn't just concentrate on the imperial family. We're led into the underbelly of Roman society too. Mostly, we follow the freedman Tenax (Iwan Rheon), who has become fabulously wealthy thanks to his successful gambling business. Everyone from members of the imperial family to senators and slaves come to place bets on the races taking place in the Circus Maximus, and Tenax grows rich from the proceeds. If the way he makes his money is immoral, then it's reflective of his attitude to life. He's come from nothing and knows he could go back to nothing if he crosses the wrong powerful person, and that makes him dangerously keen to seize the day. As smart as he is ruthless, Tenax is the kind of man you love and hate in equal measure, and Iwan Rheon steals the show, bringing to life a brilliantly original character.
Texan's betting shop is depicted as being within a squalid side street. Lit only by olive oil lamps, Rome at night is dark and threatening. ‘Those About to Die' isn't all gleaming marble palaces – the grim reality of life for most Roman citizens is vividly brought to life.
The cast is multi-ethnic, realistically reflecting the diversity of the Empire at the time, as well as the diversity of Roman citizenry. This includes Moe Hashim, whose character Kwame learns about survival under brutal circumstances. Characters who had fascinating lives but who are seldom represented, such as Berenice, Queen of Israel (Lara Wolf), are woven into the drama. That is credit to the writers.
Roman history buffs will enjoy the rich portrayal of the Flavian dynasty and recognise the crises that unfold, such as problems with the grain supply leading to hunger and civil unrest. The favoured Flavian distraction technique – Panem et Circenses (bread and circuses) – is brought to bear more than once. Casual viewers will enjoy the spectacle of the chariot races that take place in the Circus Maximus. Modern viewers will relate to the depiction of top charioteers as being akin to modern day sports stars – hot young men who flaunt their fleeting fame for all it's worth.
‘Those About to Die', judged on the first four episodes, has a lot to offer a range of viewers. There's a decent retelling of First Century Roman history for the purists. There's chariot racing and shirtless athletes, and there's social commentary too for the more high-minded. The weakest aspect of the production is some of the visual effects in the high octane scenes, many of which are quite poor. Some of the CGI effects of the chariot races in particular are glaringly fake, and not a patch on the standard set by ‘Ben-Hur' many decades ago. The title sequence too is derivative rather than dramatic. But if you can look past those weaknesses, ‘Those About to Die' has plenty going in its favour. We're hooked and will watch to the end.
‘Those About To Die' launches exclusively on 19th July on Prime Video UK & Ireland.
