Horrible Histories Film
The Horrible Histories film does not let you down! If you are a fan of the Horrible Histories books and the hit CBBC children’s show, you will know how fantastically and gruesome the history comes to alive. I have been a huge fan of Horrible Histories since the very beginning, as has my eldest son. We were super excited to go and watch the film on the day that it hit cinemas across the country.
The Horrible Histories film is the first to be made from the comedy-history children’s series.
Set completely in 54AD, during the time of Boudicca’s war against the Roman Empire Horrible Histories does what it does best, by entertaining us with gore, comedy and gruesome facts.
The Rotten Romans focuses on the Emperor Nero and his famous battle with the Celtic rebellion leader, Boudicca played by Kate Nash. The well crafted and extremely memorable song, Boudicca appears twice in the film, if you have seen the television series, you will find it hard to not sing along.
“No man, Roman’ll push around this woman
You won’t get far with Boudicca
Bowmen, yeomen smash the Roman foemen
All say yah (yah!)
Boudicca”
The film instantly opens with comedy as Rattus Rattus mimics the renowned MGM roaring lion opening. Rattus Rattus is then seen again in the closing credits, where he hints that a second Horrible Histories film may be in the works.
The film begins with the parody murder of Claudius, played by Derek Jacobi. Reprising his role as Claudius from the television series. As with most Horrible Histories deaths Claudius is murdered in a shockingly strange way, via a poison feather. The murder is set up up by Agrippina and Nero so that he can take the throne. This sets up the story.
The narrative is split between characters, Atti, Orla and Nero and goes back and forth from Roman and Britain. Nero can’t think of a better punishment for a Roman teenager, Atti than to banish him to ‘The Stain’ on the map known by us as Britain.
Not long after Atti arrives in Britain and is forced into becoming a Roman solider he is overpowered by a Celtic teenage girl, Orla. Fresh faces, Sebastian Croft and Emilia Jones did an outstanding job in their roles of Atti and Orla. Atti’s quick wits and sheer bravery transform him from a weedy weak Roman Citizen into a loveable intelligent hero. Sebastian Croft reminded me of a young Mathew Baynton who was missed in the film.
Although forced to join the Roman, Atti displays great knowledge and qualities of a Roman legionary. Atti repeatedly makes references about his knowledge coming from reading scrolls back in Rome. This is smart reference to the Horrible Histories fanchise which started out in books.
Orla is the feisty strong daughter of a Celtic chieftain, Arghus. With Boudicca as her idol, Orla has only one desire and that is to join the uprising against the Roman Empire led by Boudicca.
There are a lot of jokes about Britain from the very beginning when Nero refers to it as being ‘the stain.’ One of my favourite and most memorable parts is when two Roman soldiers are wondering were Atti has gone. “Do you think he has been eaten by a tiger?” The first soldier asks his comrade, “there are no tigers in Britain.” He replies. “Well do you think he has been eaten by squirrel then?” The witty and funny deluge kept me laughing all of the way through the film.
Brenda played by Joanna Bacon creates laughter in all of his scenes. She was probably my favourite character throughout the film. Together with Arghus, played by comedy legend Nick Frost did amazing together and don’t fail in making the audience laugh.
I was surprised to see Lee Mack as character Centurion Decimus. Although he was not a main character, Decimus’s sincere love for Rome added comedy to all of his scenes. I was just as surprised to see Kim Cattrall as Agrippina, Nero’s annoying and overbearing mother.
I was quick to spot the Horrible Histories star Tom Stourton, as he declared he was ‘farticous’. I would have liked to see him in a bigger role, but it was nice to see him appear in the film.
The Horrible Histories movie has been released in perfect time for the summer holidays. Although some of the much beloved Horrible Histories from the television series are absent, the cast did fantastic. The only thing that I was really disappointed with was that there were no stupid death sketch with Simon Farnaby. I think this would have added extra comedy, history, gruesome facts and shocking entertainment for the viewers. It would have been great to see a stupid death sketch at the end before or during the closing credits.
Overall, in the words of my son, “I did not like the Horrible Histories Film, I loved it!” As did I! I absolutely recommend the Horrible Histories film to children and parents to watch during the summer holidays. We had an amazing time and I laughed more than the children throughout the whole film. Well done Horrible Histories, you once again did an amazing job in educating us about those Rotten Anicent Romans.
I rate Horrible Histories an historic five out of five stars. I can’t wait to watch the next one! I hope it is on the Ancient Egyptians.
