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.