Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston

Mr. Hiddleston may be practicing speculative archaeology here and there. But the hard truths of human nature bring us closer to the people who perished in Pompeii.

“This is all a little goofy,” I thought more than once watching “Out of Time.” Which isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy it greatly.

The pure history bits are gripping, as Pompeii never fails to be. It’s just a pity about the execution.

I suppose I would have to look back at my first documentary-drama presented by a born actor and profess myself entertained but exhausted by the constant prospect of the whole teetering thing collapsing into utter humiliation for all involved. But if I were younger, less cynical, a nicer person in any way, I would have loved it and it would have got me a bit more interested in the ancient world.