Up Pompeii (film)

Virgin Films

Industry	Film production
Founded	1970
Founder	Ned Sherrin, Terry Glinwood
Fate	Acquired by Robert Stigwood Organisation in March 1972
Key people	Ned Sherrin, Terry Glinwood
Products	Films including Up Pompeii and sequels

Up Pompeii is a 1971 British sex comedy film directed by Bob Kellett, featuring performances by Frankie Howerd and Michael Hordern. The screenplay was penned by Sid Colin, inspired by an original concept from Talbot Rothwell. This movie adapts characters from the British TV sitcom Up Pompeii! (1969–1975) and led to two follow-up films: Up the Chastity Belt (1971) and Up the Front (1972).

Plot

Lurcio accidentally comes into possession of a scroll that names conspirators plotting to assassinate Nero. When Lurcio's master, Ludicrus Sextus, unwittingly exposes its contents to the Senate, the conspirators rush to retrieve it. The story unfolds through a series of comedic escapades as they attempt to recover the scroll before the catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius destroys Pompeii.

Production

Virgin Films was established by Ned Sherrin and Terry Glinwood, producing seven movies beginning with this film and its sequels.

The idea for a cinematic adaptation of Up Pompeii was proposed by Frankie Howerd’s agent, Beryl Vertue, to Nat Cohen. Recognizing the commercial viability of low-budget TV spin-offs following the success of Till Death Us Do Part (1968), Cohen engaged Sherrin as producer.

In May 1970, plans were announced for a comedy series produced by Sherrin under Anglo-EMI. The second installment was initially titled The Last Virgin Left Alive, adapted from Susan Barratt’s novel Jam Today. Cohen highlighted that delivering "a good, uproarious comedy" was essential to attracting moviegoers back to cinemas. The agreement was brokered by Vertue—then a director at London Associated Films—alongside Cohen and Sherrin.

Sherrin remarked on the challenge of translating Frankie Howerd’s distinctive comedic delivery to film, noting that Howerd thrived on live audience interaction. Despite director Bob Kellett’s efforts, the films only partially captured Howerd’s stage charisma, especially in the first two entries.

While Talbot Rothwell authored the television scripts, Sid Colin took over screenwriting duties for the film due to Rothwell’s commitments with the Carry On series.

The Robert Stigwood Organisation provided financial backing for the project and later acquired Virgin Films in March 1972.

Principal photography took place at MGM-EMI Elstree Studios in August 1970, utilizing leftover sets from Julius Caesar (1970). Notably, boxer Billy Walker made his acting debut in this film.

For American audiences, an extended version was released featuring six additional minutes, including a prologue and epilogue starring Lurcio. On television—set prior to Nero’s rule—the characters continued across further series.

Box office

In 1971, the film secured the position of the tenth most popular movie at the British box office. By June 1972, it had earned EMI a profit of £20,000.

Critical

According to The Monthly Film Bulletin, although Sid Colin is credited with the screenplay, Up Pompeii closely resembles Talbot Rothwell’s original TV scripts with many repeated jokes. The film features limited cinematic adaptation beyond key scenes but benefits from a strong cast including Frankie Howerd and Patrick Cargill’s memorable portrayal of Emperor Nero.

Filmink praised the film as "hugely fun."

In contrast, The Radio Times Guide to Films awarded it 2 out of 5 stars, criticizing its reliance on an obvious Carry On-style formula that succeeds only intermittently. The cast includes well-known British actors such as Bernard Bresslaw, Patrick Cargill, and Michael Hordern.

Leslie Halliwell dismissed the movie as a "yawnmaking spinoff" with ineffective humor.

External links

• Up Pompeii on Letterboxd